September 28: Personal Protection – The Whole Armour Of God
Therefore put on God’s complete armour, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm- footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people). [Eph 6:13-18]
In-keeping with the intent of this entire section of Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (Chapter 6 verses 10 to 19) the selection above reminds us that there is a need to ensure that before we enter the prayer battle we concern ourselves with an appropriate level of preparation.
The call for those in Christ to take their place in the battle to ensure that the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus, for all people, is able to continue to be spread throughout the world is an imperative in this part of Paul’s letter. He wants all believers to recognise that there is a warfare of super-natural dimensions that must be fought, not only to make it possible for hearts and minds to be able to receive the Truth, but to make it possible for those, called to bear that truth, to have the way made clear for them to do so; that all obstacles be removed, or at least kept at bay.
Before the sharing, the preaching of the “Good News”, the Evangelisation of the Gospel of Salvation through Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ can take place there is a whole work of intercession and intercessory prayer that must be done as a precursor
19th century, would have whole cities and towns shut down to attend his meetings and a great swathe of people came to a personal relationship with Christ through his public ministry. However, weeks before Finney would arrive in town an unassuming man known only as “Father Nash” was known to precede him. Nash, a quiet man by nature, would spend his time in prayer and intercession for the hearts and souls of the people of the town in preparation for the public proclamation that Finney would bring.Charles Finney, one of the greatest revivalists of the
Nash, much like the gardener who spends time and effort preparing the soil, tilling the ground, clearing the weeds and removing the rocks before sowing the precious seed, was doing the same thing for the work that Finney became famous for. Finney never balked at acknowledging the essential work “Father Nash” did, in going before him, to prepare the way when asked if he knew him.
Many know of the name and work of Charles Finney. But, only those who actually take the time to look more deeply at his wonderful work will also know about the mighty warrior Father Nash.
I have said before that The call to be an actual intercessor is a high calling. However, as I have also said, every believer is called to the work of intercession, standing in the gap, to pray in the behalf of another person; be they a family member, friend, or even a stranger you know to be in trouble.
For this reason it is important that each of us knows that the enemy will take whatever opportunity he can to attack and undermine us in the battle. But, more importantly, there is the need to know what is available to you for your personal protection before going into that battle; the Whole Armour of God.
In this week’s message we look at the importance of each of the individual pieces of what Paul describes as essential equipment before entering the fray. We consider what spiritual protection is required for the spiritual battle we face and what each element does to fulfil that task.
Too many Christians are either unaware of, or are ill-advised about what equates to being their uniform for a spiritually successful life. Many face the struggles and attacks from the enemy, in their life, and are effectively naked in the field (the majority of those don’t even know they’re in a spiritual battle and have been ‘taught’ to take the struggles as lessons sent by God; or, the punishment from God for past behaviour). Most of them either only know the basic bible stories, or have a very sporadic knowledge of their bibles. That is the main reason for the level of deception and unbelief in the church today.
This is essential teaching for the whole church, especially at this time, to ensure that we can take our place in the field of battle, as mature believers, in this time of unrest. We are charged to ensure that we get involved so that, as Paul says to Timothy: that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way. [1Tim 2:2b]
The question is: Will you take your part?
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