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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Who Will You Impact?

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Discipleship? What is it? 

Tutoring, mentoring in your field, pushing, being a sounding board, reflecting Jesus. Pointing back to Him and His ways... teaching, supporting, raising up, training, cheering....

These are some of the things it means to disciple. It does not have to look like full time "ministry", it does not have to look like daily or weekly devotionals, or bible studies with friends. 

It can be quiet moments of prayer together. It can be as simple as listening to someone's story, or meeting a simple need. When we live by example we are teaching and discipling those around us. 

All that we read about Jesus in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) is about the things He did that were "big". He bucked the old religious folk. He healed the blind, the leper, the crippled, and the lame. He ministered to prostitutes and tax collectors. He raised the dead back to life. These were the big moments. 

But there are some moments we will never know about. Moments when Jesus and the twelve were walking miles from town to town. The time when they talked freely about the word, the world, family, friends, relationships, and faith. These moments were when real discipleship happened. 

"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book. " John 20:30

There are moments like this in my life I can always point back to. Moments when other people spoke into my life, or taught me something that has stayed with me through the years. 

When Mr.Chaney, my 9th grade English Lit substitute  said "I think you have talent, and can learn to write." 

When Ms. Coleman, invested her days off to pick me up just to get me out of the house and show what it meant to care. 

People stopping to say "you can" even when everyone else, including myself, said there was no way. 

The Impact of Discipleship 

Giving time, teaching, encouraging, loving people and serving them changes the world two people at a time. It changes them, and it changes you. 

God's heart has always been us. When we love God, a natural progression of His presence in our lives is that we begin to love people. That is why discipleship is so important. It shows that love in a tangible way. It  makes the love of God easier to understand. 

This is why blogs like Michael Hyatt's and Jeff Goins' are so popular: because they disciple. Both men are natural leaders and have taken the time to remember it is not about what they can get from people via the world wide web, but about what they can give that matters. 

"No man is an island" John Donne 

We all have a purpose. We all have a calling. Whether that purpose is to sing to millions or build the best buildings in the world, use your talent to disciple someone. You will be better for it. 

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