I realize that most of our knowledge is an accumulation and compendium of concepts, ideals and truths we have gleaned from the Scriptures, God’s teachers of the Word and life experiences. But the Holy Spirit has been making the following a personal revelation to me.
Recently, as I was driving to school (a 32 mile commute) I was praying and repenting for neglecting to put on the armor of God every morning, (Rom. 13:12; Eph. 6:13). When, I believe the Holy Spirit quickened to my spirit; ‘the reason you neglect to put it on every day is because you really don’t believe it will do what the Word says it will do..because if you did trust & believe you would be sure to put it on every morning.’ That was a ‘wake up’ call and I was soundly rebuked for which I am grateful. So as I strive to remember every morning to put on the armor, the Holy Spirit has slowly revealed to me the necessity, the expediency and the urgency of that act of faith.
Helmet of Salvation: to protect my mind, shape my attitudes, perceptions estimations, thought processes , deductions and reasoning powers by putting on the mind of Christ.
Breastplate: to guard my heart where the issues of life come forth; moral issues, rightness, the virtues of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience goodness, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness & self-control.
Belt of Truth: to speak the Truth (Word) and what is true; to discern the truth from falsity and fiction , to know the difference between fact and truth.
Sword: to have the Word of God at the ready to speak IT into every situation that arises,
daily.
Sandals: to sanctify my daily walk, my journey for the day, bringing the Word, keeping my ‘feet’ clean, my walk clean (making my feet beautiful in God’s sight and others’)
Shield of Faith: to trust, to believe and act on that because the God Kind of Faith covers me.
Rear Guard: the Glory of the Lord is my rear guard..so I will not have to retreat from the enemy, ever, but to go forward because the Glory is my covering.
Every day, the armor must be put on because the fiery darts are constant and the enemy
never retreats and never gives up, so we need a refreshing every day, every day. A few days ago I neglected to put it on because I was in a hurry and I regretted it because I made some MG decision s instead of Holy Spirit decisions which were detrimental and unhappily consequential to important relationships at that moment in time. I see the difference when I thoughtfully wear the armor and when I thoughtlessly forget.
Each day will bring a fresh revelation of God’s protection when we wear the armor of God and when we bold-facedly try to confront the enemy on our own strength. Thank God for the Armor of God that He has provided for us. What a comfort, what a help and assistance in time of affliction, distress and stress.
Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
thedailylily.com 
Most interesting, but never understood it was something I could do each morning liking dressing for the day. I always thought it was a ‘vigilant righteousness’ in all that I did, would do at all times. In other words, there should be no slip ups or other things slip in.
At The Daily Lily Retreat ’09 Sara’s lesson was titled “Dressing for His Glory” – Pursuing Excellence.” We learned that although this dressing is a life-long pursuit, it’s a day to day, moment by moment, 24 hr one also. We were asked, “Is a goal of excellence worth pursuing?” Being prepared and vigilent against the wiles of the enemy and intent on choosing Light instaed of darkness takes vigor and diligence.
I think the elements of armor are woven into the fabric of our being around the clock as we remain willing to seek and understand the will of the Lord and His commandments and obedient to do them moment by moment.
I think of it….the “doing…the putting on” each day” as a sign or indication to me, the wearer, and signifies to the enemy that I have put on Christ again for another day. As I put on each item I meditate briefly on what that piece of armor signifies, as mentioned above. It’s a way of strengthening & preparing me for the day ahead and intimacy with the garment and the mantle of Christ.
MG, I guess I was thinking more in terms of this: Not sure I could make it once a day…..
James 1:23 “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
Sara’s scripture above from James brought this one to mind from Joshua 1:7-8 (NIV).
“Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
‘Looking intently’ must be a continuous meditation, studying and focusing and then obeying.
Read with me the footnotes for verses 10-17, in Ephesians 6: “In the Christian life we battle against rulers and authorities (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by the devil, who is a vicious fighter, see 1Peter 5:8). To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God’s strength and use every piece of his armor. Paul is not only giving this counsel to the church, the body of Christ, but to all individuals within the church. The whole body needs to be armed. As you do battle against the ‘mighty powers in this dark world,’ fight in the strength of the church, whose power comes from the Holy Spirit.”
MG, thanks for reminding us to “dress appropriately”.
The battle is relentless MG wrote “…the fiery darts are constant and the enemy never retreats and never gives up” and Needles footnotes confirmed”…the fiery darts are constant and the enemy never retreats and never gives up…” Wearing armor denotes a battle. You sure wouldn’t wear it for a leisurely walk in the park.
I thought about what you wrote, Debi, “you sure wouldn’t wear it for a leisurely walk in the park”….but in reality…the enemy may very well attack in the park, or at work , or IN THE CHURCH !! It is best to be prepared at all times becuase we are not ignorant of the wiles of the devil and as we mature in the Lord we know that he roams about as a ravenous lion seeking whom he may devour. So we keep our armor on at all times and we cover ourselves with the precious blood of the Lamb of God and keep the Word of God in our mouths and the Holy Spirit as our constant companion.
“I glad you do nothing wrong” quote from Rena to me in a recent email.
I would like to say I am not sure what “do nothing wrong” means exactly. I sure have had and still have my share of sins, mistakes and wrongs. I am one happy woman to rejoice in knowing my name is written in the Lamb’s book of life. Luke 10:19 says, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20) Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
As our armor scriptures say, we should be well prepared for attacks from our enemy. When anger and jealousy and other forces are set loose we have the authority to trample on the serpents and scorpions, etc. but yet not rejoice over it.
It is well that one is “glad” that you have done no wrong. That is something to rejoice about i.e. when we have done well and ‘nothing wrong’. When we do well, then we know our names are in the BOOK and we rejoice but not over attacks of the enemy of our souls.
MG, you are full of quip humor! I think you should write a musical for teaching ‘elementary behavior modification’ on someone saying “I’m glad you have done no wrong.”
I have no clue what would make someone use this remark. I think I would need my psychology family/friends to enumerate that to me. But, in saying that, I do have a faith that would teach me that I have and I do at times do wrong. Therefore, wisdom way tells me to admit it, face it and change it. I don’t believe hiding it would work. Anger won’t change it. Good counsel and good communication for me is my theme. I am not one to enter into a boxing ring.
MG, with your excellent skill in quip you should write and produce a musical drama that could be used world wide on elementary behavior modification!
Rena also wrote in the same email, “Sara after the first of the year I plan on leaving the church.”
We have worked it out where she can leave our little home church now as we have arranged others to take over the duties she has been doing. We thank her for her time and service with us and wish her well in her new ventures.
Let us pray for her as she goes.
Hmmm. A musical on Behavior Mod!! Sounds interesting. I know I have an excellent reference to aid me in such a task. It’s called, THE HOLY BIBLE. Lots of good tips in there!! 🙂
As Sara said above …” we should be well prepared for attacks from our enemy. When anger and jealousy and other forces are set loose we have the authority to trample on the serpents and scorpions, etc. but yet not rejoice over it.”
You don’t put on armor and then hang out with the enemy. You put on armor and then trample and defeat him. Entertaining the enemy with jealousy, anger, etc. opens the door for your own destruction…this will modify your behavior…from bad to worse. “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (I Cor 15:33)
Funny, Dabi, but I was listening to 1Corinthians on cd in the car and it came to the chapter(s) where Paul was admonishing and admonishing and admonishig the Corinthian church about several of their practices which were not in sync with the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ. And in chapter 15, the reader quoted “Bad company corrupts good morals”. I thought to myself…I must write that on the blog when I get home this evening. But I guess the Lord said not to bother. He’s already had you write it.
That’s a good confirmation to me. Thanks. And the quote is true and precise. Bad company corrupts good morals, and corrupts good intentions.
MG, this really spoke to my heart. There are many mornings, I get so busy that I don’t put my armor on. I never thought about it,the way you worded it in your blog. I pray that I will put this on daily just like putting on my clothes I will wear that day. I do listen to my Bible on tape many mornings if I am running behind. This goes hand in hand with prayer. After putting on the armor we need to plead the blood of Jesus over us, so the attacks will not penatrate through the shield. Always remember, we will be attacked. We need to expect it and prepare for it. We are at war. Thanks MG
Rena, I am praying for you about your decision on whether to stay at the church or leave it. I know Sara and all the church will miss you, if you decide to leave. You are a precious woman of God. You are special to Him and to His church, where Gary and Sara pastor. God will bless you for your hard work in His church, whether it is cleaning bathrooms or on your knees praying. This is a crossroad in your life.You must decide to push on in the same direction or turn to a different direction. This is not an easy decision. I pray that God will take away any confusion that is in your heart and mind so you can think clearly and do God’s will and not your will. I pray that God will take away any deafness in your ears, so that you will hear Him clearly and not just your own voice. Jesus is coming back soon and we must put on our armor and get on our knees. If we have anything in our hearts that are poisoning our souls, we must clean it out with the blood of Jesus. We must stay focus on Jesus and not let the world influence us. Rena, I know this is a hard decision, sit at Jesus’ feet and He will guide you. Psalms 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.” We love you, we thank God for you and we ask God to Bless you.
Thank you “Chickenfarmer,” and all for your prayers. I will not be leaving CCI church. How easy and quickly one can listen to an opposing voice. Some how the voice takes on a booming repetitive voice that trumpets and yet crushes. I thank all the lilies for prayer that kept me from spiraling who knows where. May you be blessed and may Jesus be praised. Perhaps the poem on Ann’s cup fits me and many others – “Don’t quit!” Thank you!
It will be great continuing to labor with you in the work of the Kingdom. The fiery darts of the enemy try to penetrate our shield of faith and pervert our walk, our ministry, by getting our sandals all muddy. Our breastplate of righteousness might have a few dings in it and that’s where satan slings his arrows at your heart. But you have prevailed over all. Your pastors have interceded for you and your teammates have prayed. Glad you did not “quit”.