Tuesday, December 3, 2013

The Ultimate Armor

Under Armour is big! Athletes have worn it for awhile, but now it's one of the most popular logos you see. A visit to the official website says their goal is to make every athlete better and help you stay warmer longer. Personally, I've never owned any Under Armour attire, but recently I've been thinking about another armor.

An armor that is often overlooked and at times even ignored. My friend I'm talking about the Armor of God! What do you think would happen if we wore this armor as often as we do the name brand shirt? What if we invested as much time into God's armor as money that we invest in the world's? Friend, I think our lives, our world, would be different.

I'm only saying this because lately I've been challenged, encouraged and convicted to wear it more and better. I'm currently doing a Bible study and this week the Armor of God was an area of focus. As I'm doing this study, I'm also living life and the Armor of God is something I need!

In no way do I have this mastered...honestly this last week, I have felt like a failure when it comes to being in the Lord's Army. I've been a soldier who fights on my own rather than standing so God can fight for me and through me. One who at times forgets to dress for battle. One who neglects to stay alert and pray continuously.

Thankfully, God has opened my eyes to this, granted me grace and given me the desire to dig deeper. As others were searching for the latest deal on Under Armor, Jehovah Nissi (God our Banner) has led me to search His Scriptures to learn more about the ultimate armor.

I've been reminded that I must continually put the armor on! God has shown me I can't fight this battle on my own...I need His help. And He wants to help and is able to. And the amazing thing I noticed as I looked at the armor is we are not given directions for how to fight, but what to wear. Friend, the goal Paul described is not to win, but to stand. (vs 10, 13 and 14) Jehovah Nissi, God our Banner, He fights for us and remember the victory is already won!!

Today may you be encouraged to think about, study and put on the Armor of God. Then perhaps you can share what you learn with someone else! Yesterday, my kids and I took sometime discussing this and I thought about how God doesn't expect us to win the battle, but we are called to encourage others and He's glorified when we help them put the armor on too!


Under Armour is designed to "make athletes better" and keep them warmer, but God's ultimate armor can do so much more! Will you join me today and put it on!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me,that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:10-20)

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