Word & Worship Wednesday

God has not promised the Believer smooth sailing through life. He has never said that we wouldn't go through trials. What He DID say is that He would get us THROUGH it. We will still experience them, but He is with us the whole way. Guiding us. Protecting us. Teaching us! One of the many scriptures that has stuck with me throughout the years, is Ephesians 6:10-18....putting on the Armor of God.

As you face the day to day challenges of life......DON'T FORGET YOUR ARMOR!!

The Armor of God

"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


Here is a little explanation that I found on the Armor of God...

Belt of TRUTH: God - the Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit
Scripture: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) Deut. 4:39; Psalm 23:1; 18:1-3

Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS: The holy and perfect righteousness of Jesus in those who are "born again" and filled with His Spirit
Scripture: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matt. 5:6) Psalm 100:3; Rom. 3:23-24, 6:23; Gal. 2:20-21; Phil. 3:8-10.

Sandals of PEACE: Inner peace and readiness
Scripture: "For He Himself is our peace..." (Eph. 2:14-15)Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14; John 14:27, 16:33, 20:21

Shield of FAITH: Living by faith
Scripture: "I am crucified with Christ:...and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God...." (Gal. 2:20) Rom. 4:18-21; Heb. 11:1; 1 Pet. 1:6-7

Helmet of SALVATION: Salvation through Christ
Scripture: Nor is there salvation in any other..."(Acts 4:12) Each day: Ps. 16, 23; Heb. 1:3-6For eternity: 2 Cor. 4:16-18; 1 Thess. 4:17; 1 John 3:1-3

The victorious Sword of the spirit: GOD'S WORD: God's Word countering spiritual deception and accusations
Scripture: "...the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory...." (John 1:14) Heb. 4:12; Matt. 4:2-11; 1 Pet. 3:15; Ps. 119:110-112


To put on the "full armor"--and enjoy a daily and eternal love-relationship with Jesus Christ, thank Him for what He has shown you in His Word. Know the Scriptures behind your prayer so that your words and faith are grounded in the authority of the Bible. (Some of those verses are listed above.) Then pray through each piece. You can use the following prayer as an outline:

The belt of truth: Thank you, my Lord, for showing me the TRUTH about Yourself, Your plans and Your ways. Thank You for reminding me that You are the only God, the Creator of heaven and earth, the King of the universe, my Father who loves me, and my Shepherd who leads me. You are my wisdom, my counselor, my hope, and my strength. You are everything I need each day!

The breastplate of righteousness: Thank You for showing me the truth about myself -- that on my own I could never be good enough to live in your presence. Thank you for taking my sins to the cross and offering me your perfect, RIGHTEOUS life. Lord, show me any sin that I need to confess right now, so that nothing will hinder me from being filled to overflowing with your Spirit. [Take time for confession] Thank you for forgiving me and for filling me with your RIGHTEOUS life.

The sandals of peace: Thank you for the peace you give me when I trust and follow you. Show me how to help others find that PEACE.

The shield of faith: Thank you for helping me have FAITH in you. I choose to count on everything you have shown me about yourself -- and everything you have promised me in your Word.

The helmet of salvation: Thank you for promising me SALVATION both for today's battles and for all eternity.

The sword of the spirit, the Word of God: Thank you for the scriptures you have given me to memorize. Please show me which you want me to use to cut through deceptions and gain your victory in any battle I may face today.