Preparing for a Fight

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Part 3 in The Armor of God Series

I've had my share of fights. 

I was notorious as a kid for fighting. I liked to say I never started them, but I always finished them. (Thanks Dad for instilling that ethic into me)

But fighting never really got me all the results I wanted. Instead of respect I got fear. Instead of friends I made enemies. There is a time to fight, and a time for peace. 

So when we fight, we need to know we are first on the winning side and second we need to get prepared well before the battle even comes to us. 

Get Plugged In 

We do not generate power on our own. Power must have a source. 

Our source is God. 

"Be strong in the Lord and the POWER of His might." 

We talked about the armor of God as an uniform, however there is more to the armor of God. Wearing it can save our very lives from attack. 

We do have an enemy. He roams about looking for the weak, unprepared, and over emotional to prey on. He devours these like a lion. 

But when we are strong in the Lord and we are prepared to face any adversary and our cares and emotions are rooted in our Supply, (the Father) then there is nothing that can harm you. 

So how do we prepare? We put on the armor. 

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor 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 armor 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;" 

How can we be prepared for any and every situation the enemy may throw at us, if we do not first know the Word, and second know how to apply it correctly? 

Get Your Feet Under You

Firm footing is everything in a fight. Lose your footing and the "Ground and pound" begins. Without firm footing braced by the gospel (good news of what God has done and will do in you) you will not be able to gain victory in a fight. 

A good fighter understands the importance of a firm stance. It gives you power and defense, mobility and stability, range and balance, and flexibility and security. 

A popular boxing tutorial says this: 

"Your foot placement is probably the most important aspect of your boxing stance. Where you place your feet on the ground determines your advantages and disadvantages in offense, defense, and mobility. Because everything starts from the ground, it is crucial that you learn proper foot positioning before any other aspects (hand placement) of boxing stance."

We are no different. We must have our feet properly grounded in the Word of God and in our own testimony so we can overcome anything the devil throws at us. 

If sickness comes, what scriptures do you know right now to battle the attack? If flood or fire comes, what words will you have that will bring peace and restoration: even protection? If persecution comes because you are God's, what scriptures would you know to overcome the pain and doubt that the persecution will likely bring? How will you bolster your faith? 

With every punch, will you be able to adapt, deflect, absorb, counter punch? Only if you have your feet firmly planted in the Word. 

In order to withstand, we must first be able to stand. That is why this part of the Armor of God is so crucial. It is the foundation of it all. 

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Are You in Uniform Christian Soldier?

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Right. Wrong. 

Righteousness. Sin. 

On our own, we will never naturally choose right over wrong every time. If we had been made this way, God would not have given the law. 

Just think about the ten commandments. They are a list of things we should choose. We should choose God, we should choose honor, we should choose others first. We should choose to love, we should choose life. We should choose integrity. 

Yet somehow, we always miss the mark. Missing it by a millimeter or missing it by a kilometer: it does not matter because we still miss it. 

On our own we were lost and God provided a way for us to return home: to Him. That way is Jesus. Through Jesus we have free access to the Father. Where once we were so wrong, in Christ we are made right once more.  

Now that we are His, we are in Christ we should live in that right standing with God. We should strive to live and breathe and have our being be an example of God's redeeming power to the world. 

Get in Uniform

One way we do this is by wearing the armor of God: the uniform of a Christian.  

Everyone recognizes a uniform. It sets the normal everyday citizen apart from the ones who are willing to lay down their lives for others. 

Think about that. 

By wearing the armor of God you are identified as a Christian (in Christ), and that identity tells the world you should be ready to lay your life down for them. 

The Breastplate (aka Kevlar) of Righteousness 

The Breastplate of Righteousness is like the Kevlar vest that police and soldiers use in the natural. It protects the vital inner being. The heart, the kidneys, the stomach, the liver, and the lungs are protected by a Kevlar vest. The Breastplate of Righteousness is similar. It protects us from the cruel potshots the world can take against us and the "bullets" the devil fires our way. 

It also is a visible sign that we have the protection of the Lord working in our lives. It is a sign to the world that the redeemed of the Lord have benefits they do not. It is not self righteousness that saves, but the righteousness of God in Christ. 

If you are trying to look like a "good" Christian by doing and saying all the "right things" but you are not letting the righteousness of God shine, then you are not in full uniform. The world knows the difference. They should see God's righteousness before they ever see you. 

I know that I have not lived up to this all the time. I have been caught out of uniform many times. I have had to repent and clothe myself once again. 

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor 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 armor 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;"  Ephesians 6: 10-18 

The War is Won 

God accomplished the ultimate victory on the cross. Christ said "It is finished." and it is. We are simply the post war occupying force. We are here to remind people that their freedom was provided for. We are here to stand in the gap for them when the enemy crosses the battle lines and attacks unprovoked. We are here to  point the way to freedom for those people who have run back to oppression because that was all they ever knew. They will not know who is who if we are not in uniform. 

Come on Christian Soldier, you are more than just a fighter, you are a beacon of freedom, you are a sign that God still loves, still cares, and still wants to win the hearts of man. We do not point the way by shouting, by picketing  or by bashing, but we point the way by standing, loving, and praying. 

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When you see a soldier in uniform, how does that make you feel? 

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Cleaning the Launch Pad: Living a Life of Discipline!

2 Timothy 2:3-7 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW) 

"Join me in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Whoever serves in the military doesn’t get mixed up in non-military activities. This pleases his commanding officer. Whoever enters an athletic competition wins the prize only when playing by the rules. A hard-working farmer should have the first share of the crops. Understand what I’m saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things."

Man did I get socked in the face with this today! I love this scripture. I want to look at it more closely with you. 

First I want to say that this passage can be applied to every area of our life. Discipline is what we are called to. We limit God when we are not disciplined. We must make sacrifices to obey. If God says give an extra $5 in the offering, you skip a lunch out this week. If God tells you to start a new bible study? Then you give up your time in front of the TV to read. 

In this passage I see three examples of disciplined lives, and the rewards they get from the lifestyle of discipline. 

The Soldier – Follows orders, cloisters himself with other soldiers, and does not hang out in the world. Reward: This makes his Commanding Officer Happy!

The Athlete- Focuses on training, he does not cut corners or cheat and he strives for mastery in his area of athletics. Reward: He wins the race! 

The Farmer- Focuses on preparing the ground, he always has seed, and he is ready to sow in season. Reward: He gets the first fruits of the harvest. 

These archetypes have 3 things in common:

1. They work harda. 2 Timothy 4:2

b. Proverbs 6:6

2. They are Faithful
a. Psalms 31:23
b. Luke 9:62

3. They press through the suffering in the hard times

a. 1 Timothy 6:19
b. Ps 86:11-17 (MSG)

I don’t know about you, but there are things- dreams that God has given to me and I do not want to limit Him by living an undisciplined life! I want to be ready to launch at the end of His countdown. I want my pad to be clean and clear of debris, and I want to come out swinging at the enemy. 

In the book of Nehemiah, the wall around the city of Jerusalem was in shambles. Nehemiah stirred the people because God placed the dream of a rebuilt, restored wall on Nehemiah’s heart. When the people were disciplined, and anointed by God’s favor, they accomplished what God has said Nehemiah 4:6. 

There were obstacles to this work. And there will be obstacles in our lives too. The first obstacle for the children of Israel was all the debris in and around them. The needed a shovel to get rid of it all. This clutter was distracting to the task God had called them too. But enemies also used the debris to hide behind, hoping to surprise the children of Israel as they worked, to take them unawares, and to kill the vision in them. That is why we need a shovel and a sword! Clean out the debris in your life, and be ready to battle the enemy when he jumps out from behind the junk! (Nehemiah 4: 11, and 4:17) 

Face it; you can’t expect God to launch you if your “pad” is dirty! (And I am so preaching to myself!) 

Be blessed and be a blessing and remember that discipline is a noun and a verb!

Do you struggle with discipline? In what ways?