"The Armor of God"

So this week has not been my best ever. I am sorry to those around me, for being a little "mean" it is nothing personal and I truly apologize. At Bible study this week we read...

 Ephesians 6:10-20 " Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power, put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. Therefore put on the FULL armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand you ground and after you have done everything to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of TRUTH buckled around you waist, with the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS in place. and with your feel fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Take up the shield of FAITH, which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of SALVATION and the sword of the SPIRIT on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests."

This year we have focused a lot on Ephesians and what the apostle Paul is writing to us about. This book is my favorite, everything is applicable to today and how we live our lives. By being strong in the Lord we can fully put on the armor but through the Lord.

How many pieces of armor do we put on?  ALL of it, he doesn't say one piece, or a couple it is completely the full body of armor. He wants us to be fully prepared for this spiritual battle we are living in today. We must be ready with all different types of weapons {truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, spirit}

We must be able to stand up to the devil's schemes, when he tells you to do something bad, through truth at him. With scripture you can fight anything.

When someone is having a hard time with pain, death or depression you give them words of wisdom, you give them scripture. This is how you overcome these struggles. This is our number one "sword" the Bible is our weapon in today's battle.

A good example I heard is we are all boxing in life, God made us to fight back, stay in for all of the "rounds" he doesn't want us to be weak or give up, we must stand our ground, we are against the powers of this dark world.

As we were in our Bible study, our leader told us to research one item from the armor {we chose the breastplate}  Here are some facts on why God chose this specific piece for Righteousness...

• Made of thick leather and studded with metal orbs to protect heart and lungs
• Without a body armor the soldier is left exposed and vulnerable
• Our heart desires the Lord, it is the most important, God knows are heart better then anyone
• A Roman soldier wore a breastplate to protect the most vital organ of all as he advanced on the enemy
• The lungs breath in the air, and the heart pumps that oxygen to the body, giving it the life to fight on. When the lungs take in the heart gives out.

Proverbs 4 :23 " Above all guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it"

So, while we are in this spiritual warfare, guard you heart, be prepared by putting on the full armor of God.

Sometimes we forget to put on certain pieces, or it needs fixing from tears. Which one do you need to fix, or need to remember to wear?