BE STRONG

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 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, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”
Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV

We are predictable–be unpredictable.
The enemy is strategic–be MORE strategic.
He comes at us in one direction & fierce, so come at him in seven!

Attack him!!! Instead of him attacking you. Declare war!

He keeps catching us off guard because we are unprepared.
Be prepared!

Our victory is in Jesus Name!
Come up with a plan!
This is how we fight our battles!

Perspective changes when you bring yourself higher… we don’t forget what it’s like during the low times of life. It’s bad… horrible… gruesome at times when you see and hear of all the madness going on. Our world is changing everyday.

We need to get stronger. We need to go higher. How can we get there?
We put on the armor! The whole armor of God! By all the elements to help quicken and prepare us.

With Prayer
By Study
With Fellowship
With Worship
By Giving
By Serving
By Leading

We must be prepared! And we can with all those things. That is exactly how God’s work takes us there as it says in Ephesians 6. We don’t just put on the armor, we put on the WHOLE armor so that we can be strong. We need all the arsenal! Every tactic! Every tool.

My Spirit Filled Study Bible by Jack Hayford emphasizes: “Withstand, anthistemi [anth-is-tay-mee].” Paul alerts believers to the fact that they need to withstand the powers of darkness with the “whole armor of God.” Anti means “against” and histemi means “to cause to stand.” The verb suggests vigorously opposing, bravely resisting standing face-to-face against an adversary standing your ground.  Anthistemi tells us that with the authority and spiritual weapons granted to us, we can withstand evil forces.  The believer cannot ever “kick back” and take it easy, because there is a real Adversary who seeks to undermine and destroy the believer’s testimony. The shield of faith must always be up and the believer must actively withstand the Adversary’s assaults.

It also emphasizes on prayer and spiritual warfare.  Beyond the natural realm, in which we see there is another realm of invisible forces all around us waging a powerful warfare.  Although we may not sense it, we are part of this battle scene, Paul admonishes us to put on the whole armor of God in order to stand against the forces of hell. This armor is not just defensive, it is also to be used in taking the offensive against these satanic forces.  The key part of this divine armor, prayer is the primary means by which we engage in the battle itself, the purpose for which we are armed!

We must stay sharp–especially because we know a huge breakthrough is around the corner for what is to come! The enemy will always try to fight us and get us on some failure or defeat from what God has assigned for us.  BUT IF WE FIGHT BACK.

IF WE PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD!

IF WE PRAY WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION!

IF WE PRESS IN WITH PRAISE, WORSHIP AND ALL THAT WE GOT!

IF WE STAND NO MATTER WHAT!

WE WILL WIN THE BATTLE!!!! WE WILL WIN THE WAR!

Stay sharp saints…. don’t fall off.  As you may have heard, if you are already in pain –get an award from it! Don’t quit now. Don’t fall back. Move stronger than ever before.

Praise and Pray your way through it all! Here are some songs to help you through.

BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT!