Just Standing

                          

  "So that you maybe able to stand firm"  Eph6:11B.  We are told to put on the full (whole) armor of God. For what reason? That we might be able!  You see with out God's armor(and the strength of God He imputes with it) we do not have the ability that we think we have.  We are not that strong; be it physical, mental... Seriously think about it, we are weak.  The armor gives us ability that we do not have!  It has a strength that we do not have.  Without it we are sitting ducks.

  When it comes to battle one tends to think offensively.  Attacking...  But this armor is not for going out to battle...  It is for us to stand!  Not to just stand but to stand firm.  It is for us to stand firm and not give up any ground;  it is for us to stand firm and not to give in;  it is for us to stand firm and not believe the lies;  it is for us to stand firm and not be persuaded;  it is for us to stand firm and not fall into the trap of the day;  it is for us to stand firm and not give it the thinking of the era...  A battle;  and it is a battle because the enemy wants to take from you; he wants to steal from you:  Destroy what you have;  He wants to kill you.  So we need to stand firm with God's full armor.  We need to put on the armor of God!  To protect all that God has given you.

Full armor of God

 

  "Put on the full armor of God."  We ended last study "be strengthened by the Lord and in His vast strength".  We need to be strengthened by the Lord...  How do we do that?  Really, have you thought about it?  If I was to ask you that question what would be your answer?  Read your bible go to Church, praise, more prayer...  All great answers and helpful...

  You see God says, "Be strengthened..."  Then He tells us to do something; so that we can be strengthened.  What?  I need to do something?  Isn't having Jesus Christ enough?  My faith...  Well one must consider why God has this in His word.  For now it is there and God says to put it on.  The down fall of many Christians is that they are walking around with no armor.  Walking around in their own strength and abilities(knowledge).

  Seriously, most of us are walking around with no armor!  Some might have a piece or 2...  Like carry a bible(sword) or bible knowledge... but that is not enough.  We need the full armor of God.  Every piece is important; if a piece is not being worn the enemy will start his attack there; weakening you... so that other pieces armor you start to put down/take off.  Armor is heavy!  An when we are weaken; we need to realize that the armor is off. We need to realize we are not being strengthen by the Lord(for the battle); for we (I) are using our abilities...  Not relying on the Lord Jesus Christ.  Every piece of armor is important.  Every piece is made by God and has His power... One last thought/phrase;  The armor is spiritual armor!

Be Strong in His might

 "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might"  Ephesians 6:10.  

  The familiar words, be strong.  It echo's loud in times of disaster.  As Christians more often we might remember be strong in this phrase;  be strong and courageous;  Found in Joshua 1.  Do like adding courageous, we as men need to be men of courage...

  Back to "be strong"; when we read this we tend to think of us 'ramping up' , 'putting our best foot forward', 'giving it 110%'...  Using our own strength and abilities;  then adding the name of Jesus; Oh in prayer. The Christian life is more than knowledge of God and Jesus Christ.  It also revolves around the heart;   that assurance that comes through faith and hope...  The peace that passes all understanding.  The surety of the Gospel...  It is not just an emotion, a warm feeling... even though that maybe part of it.  It is the assurance of Hope that is give to the believer.  The seal of the Holy Spirit.  More than brain knowledge.

  When we are to be strong it involves us to be strengthened.  That we become strong;  that becoming strong has a source;  we become strong in the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is that we take a position of placing ourselves under Christ.  Maybe this will help that we hide ourselves behind Christ.  We can spend page after page on 'in Christ', 'under Christ'...  The thing is Christ is the strength, the power...  As the next phrase says "might" or "mighty power".

  "His might" (who's might? His, God's, Christ Jesus) Might, strength, power... not just physical but mental, moral and so much more.  God is all powerful, He has the ability.  Mental power, thinking reasoning... God can not be deceived, fooled, tricked, or out smarted...by Satan, powers... nor by man.

  One last thought, the word rest.  If you find that you are doing all or most of the work... with very little prayer... Who's power are you relying on?  Are you the one who says "I got this!"  no need for God?  Rest and prayer, prayer and rest.