February 26, 2013 … Marching As To War!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 57

Passage of the Day: Ephesians 6: 12 [in the context of verses 10-13]- [NLT] …  
10 A final word: Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. 12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. 
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Contextual Study of today’s passage: Ephesians 6: 10-18 [NLT] … Go to this link … 
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Reference Passage #1: 1st Peter 2: 11-12 : [NLT] … [Staying on God’s road is tough! But it’s worth it for God’s glory.] ... 
11 Dear brothers and sisters, you are foreigners and aliens here. So I warn you to keep away from evil desires because they fight against your very souls. 12 Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when He comes to judge the world. 

My Journal for Today: The Apostle Paul recognized that everyday as a Christian is a spiritual battle; and much of it is fought in realms we cannot see or comprehend (see today’s highlight passage). But we must recognize were in a battle and put on the armament God can provide for us to do battle each day. The contextual segment to which I’ve linked any reader here is usually referred to as Paul’s “full armor of God” exhortation; and it does relate the spiritual armor we can put on to do battle against our enemies (Satan, the world, and our own flesh); and it exhorts us to take up God’s Spirit sword (i.e, His word) to be able to do battle just as Jesus did in the wilderness (see Matt. 4; 1-11 and Luke 4: 1-13). And finally Paul describes the ultimate battle strategy; and that is taking the high ground of prayer.

My friends, we simply have to recognize that EVERY DAY in this life, we’re going to walk into a serious battle; and we have to be prepared and well armed if we’re going to be able to be victorious rather than to become victims. The Apostle Peter also alluded to this in the passage I copied for review, using a slightly different word picture, … that of being aliens wandering in a hostile land, doing all we can to live as did Christ so that others will see our victorious walk and God would be glorified.

 But we can’t delude ourselves to think that we can coast or live this life casually, walking in our own selfish ways. If we do, we are going to be putty in the hands of a very powerful enemy, who wants to bring us down. Oh, most certainly, once saved, we are warriors who will be with our God in heaven; but in this fight, … in this journey called life, Satan, though he may not be able to have our soul, is actively and powerfully looking to take down or damage our testimony or witness. And he will do all he can to have us be lacking in vigilance and thinking that we’ve got this warfare in life knocked being Christians. Because if we take that blasé attitude, it’s like walking out onto a battlefield naked and without any weapons or battle plans.

But if we put on our full armor, and we carry a well-sharpened and practiced sword, and take the high-ground of prayer [EVERY DAY], we’re going to be just as victorious as was Jesus when He confronted His arch enemy in the wilderness. If we choose to do as Jesus commanded in Luke 9: 23, He is going to lead us through the minefields of life [see Deut. 31: 8]; because our Lord wants us to walk as Peter exhorted above; and He wants us to have the same victorious life He had when He won the ultimate battle with His arch enemy, … allowing us to be victorious in our life with Him … forever.

But will we be victorious on the battle field of today? Well, that depends on the armor we wear, the sword we carry, and the high ground we have taken in prayer. Do you have on your full armor, my friend? Are you carrying a well-sharpened and well-practiced Sword of the Spirit? And … are you holding the high ground of prayer today? If you are, you are headed towards victory today rather than defeat. If you aren’t … take heed from Paul’s exhortation above and get dressed for battle, … sharpen your sword, … and take the high ground today for Christ.

 "Onward Christian soldiers ... marching as to war!"

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I’m dressed for battle; and I’m here on the high ground, carrying Your sword; … and Holy Spirit, … I follow You. … Amen