Are You Ready For The Day? -The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:10-20).
Good morning. Are you ready to take on the world today? It’s a battle we face every day. Our war starts with the flesh. Our flesh is either too tired, or it’s too cold and wants to stay warm under the covers. Eventually your body does drag itself out of bed, takes a shower, gets dressed, has breakfast, and now it’s ready to face the world, right? Wrong! Let’s take inventory…
1) Do you have the Truth? Jesus is the Way, THE TRUTH, and the Life. Do you have Jesus?
2) Do you have Righteousness? 1Corinthians 1:30 says, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and RIGHTEOUSNESS…” Do you have Jesus?
3) Are you ready to give out the Gospel of Peace to others? Jesus said, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: AND YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). Do you have Jesus?
4) Do you have your Shield of Faith? FAITH cometh by hearing and hearing by the WORD of God. And the WORD was made flesh and dwelt among us. (see Romans 10:17 and John 1:14). Do you have Jesus?
5) Do you have your Helmet of Salvation? Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one. (John 10:27-30). Do you have Jesus?
6) Do you have the SWORD of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of God? Jesus said, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:26-27). Do you have Jesus?
Is your inventory complete? Take a look at this passage in Ephesians 6 again, about putting on the whole armour of God. If I had a favorite punctuation mark it would the colon found at the end of verse 17. This little colon is going add explanation to putting on God’s armour. What was missing from the scenario above? Do you know? That colon is going to explain what came before it with what came after it. What’s missing? Prayer. Ephesians 6:18 says, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints…” We should always start the day with prayer. Do you have Jesus? Would you go to work naked? Could you drive to the store without a car? How do you think you can face the world with out prayer? You can’t, and neither can I. You need your prayer, all the saints need your prayer, and I need your prayer. Start your battle with the world today (and every day) in prayer. Then pray for me. Pray for me what Paul requested: “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:19-20) We should all speak with boldness. Will you join me? You do not have your Armour on until you have Jesus.
Peace. (Ephesians 6:23)
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