Photo Challenge 10

A Devotional by Debbie DeRienzo
Prayer by Margot Cioccio

Who doesn't like a clean house? Can we always a achieve it? For me, no. But I do my best. However sanitary is another thing altogether! Do I like to be sanitary... YES!! Ah, those little germs that like to come out of anything and everywhere. And if you had a little guy like mine who brings in slugs, snails, lizards and such, you would have some of this stuff handy at all times. WHY? Because it offers PROTECTION. It makes me feel safe knowing these little babies wipe away 99.9% of harmful bacteria.

The other day when my little man was ill, I was using these quite a bit. We put our hope for protection in so many things... security systems for our homes and our cars, weapons hidden in closets or under beds...pepper spray in purses...hidden cameras....etc etc. But what can protect us when it comes to our spiritual battles? When that sneaky Satan wants to get at us... mess with our heads, throw trouble our way... tempt us. Lysol is NOT going to kill that evil germ! So what do we do? Ephesians 6:11 tell us to "Put on the full armor of God." It goes on to say our struggle is not with men, (flesh) ... or even germs... in this world but against the spiritual world.

So what is the Armor of God. Of course it is all metaphorical but this hits home to those of us that are military....

THE BELT OF TRUTH AROUND YOUR WAIST: 

truth in knowing that God is God and we can stand firm in the truth that He is Lord!

BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: 

the breastplate guards our hearts. Can thwart an attack from the enemy.

SHIELD OF FAITH: 

a shield protects from objects being slung at you... 

 like Satan's little arrows that would try to hurt us. Faith is what gets us 

through situations that may be difficult and that faith will keep the enemy 

from breaking our spirits.

HELMET OF SALVATION:

Helmets protect our heads. If we know we are in Christ and are saved 

we can prevent the useless thoughts that Satan tries to put in our minds... 

 we are not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough etc etc.

BOOTS FITTED WITH READINESS:

Boots protect our feet and allow us to walk many miles. 

These boots help us get off that proverbial couch and make 

some movement to contact and reach others with the Good News.

FINALLY we have

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT: 

Swords are offensive weapons... used to kill and destroy and inflict damage. 

Up until now all of the armor has been defensive in nature, protecting using

some way but the Sword Of The Spirit is our only offensive weapon. 

It is the Word of God, the Bible. The bible is our instruction manual 

and serves as our way to attack the enemy where it hurts. 

Even Jesus used the Bible to defend Himself against Satan when He was being tempted in the desert. Satan told Christ to turn a stone into bread so Jesus could eat after starving from His many days of fasting. Jesus quoted scripture, "man does not live by bread alone but by every word of God." Satan tempted Jesus a second time saying that he would give Jesus all the power in the world if He would bow down to Him. Jesus again quoted scripture, "You shall have no other God's before Me." And finally Satan tempted Jesus one last time saying that if Jesus would throw Himself off a cliff that the angels would come to His rescue. Again, Jesus quotes scripture and says, 'Do notput the Lord your God to the test." After that Satan flees.
So everyday when you wake up, before you sip that first cup of Joe or brush your teeth, put on that Armor of God and each day while you battle you will be victorious!!!

What a great reminder  - Thanks Debbie
Prayer: Lord, Right now we take the time to put on your armor. Thank you that you have dressed us in the robes of your righteousness and over that we add the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the boots of readiness, and we pick up the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit. We invite you into our day, help us to be sensitive to the leading of your Holy Spirit.