2 Peter 1-3, His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Psalm 144:1, Blessed be the Lord, my rock who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.
In the spirit of Resurrection Sunday I am reminded of a Savior who came and conquered sin and death completely so that you and I could live victorious lives that bring him glory.
Victorious means achieving victory by way of winning a battle or a struggle, so what I had to ask myself is this: Am I winning the battles that I am faced with? Have I been victorious in the struggles that I face daily? If God calls me to the front lines, am I prepared? Am I ready?
We carry our Bibles, we wear our nice crosses, we have all kinds of visual keepsakes that Pastors have passed out during sermons so that we can be reminded of who we are. I have a huge nail as a reminder of the fact that Jesus died for my sins; I have a bag of rocks to remind me that I can slay, not one giant; but many giants. I have blessed oil and I have a stick that represents the problems that I need to throw down so that I can trust Jesus. I have books and I have bible apps...all for the intention of helping me fight the good fight! Am I prepared if Jesus calls me to the front line?
In this race, I have been instructed in Ephesians 6:13 to put on the whole armor of God, but why is that? It is because I can be summoned to battle at any time. I know what you're thinking! God will fight our battles right? Well that is true. However, there is something that we must do. There is a part that I must play. God has my back defensively, but I have been called to an offensive battle, therefore I must prepare to fight. I have my armor but am I ready to use it? Whenever you suit up for any type of battle, you better be ready to fight. A person whose suited for battle and cannot fight is ineffective.
Let's check to be sure that we are ready!
Have we checked to see that we have on each piece of armor that we were instructed to have on. (the pieces aren't free. We must do something to earn those pieces) For example: I cannot have my feet shod with the Gospel if I never open my Bible. I cannot put on a breastplate of righteousness if I don't care about the type of lifestyle I'm living. Do you have all of your pieces?
Have we received clear battle instructions? Are we listening for God's orders when trying to do battle?
Are you well rested? Or has God stamped you with a sticker that says "Marked Drowsiness can occur?" "Wake up, oh thou that sleepeth" God can't count on you in battle if your are not alert and energized.
How is your eyesight? Are your eyes on God, so he can help you with the blind spots and attacks from behind? Satan doesn't fight fair! And he knows when you are partially suited. He knows when you have weapons that you don't know how to use! What good is a weapon in your possession right now? How can you take something by force if you have no strength or power?
What if God calls you to the front line?
We must do better at preparing to do battle. We make a lot of claims that we can't back up and Satan will always be there to remind you of your empty words and your careless attack attempts.
Did you really mean it when you said that you wanted to "get your stuff back" from the Enemy??? What is your strategy? Do you have a reputation for winning battles? How would Satan describe your reputation? How would he describe your battle plans? Would he say that you're a tough cookie? Or would he describe you as being inconsistent and never totally and fully dressed in your armor? Will he laugh at your failure to trust in your own God?
If God put you on the front line could you draw your weapon when required to? The front line requires confidence...it requires fearless-ness...Wisdom, and commitment...Do you have it?
Are you ready to fight! ...WHEN you are called to the front line?
