HEAVENSREEF

Have you ever wondered about the spiritual battles going on around us?  They are everywhere here on earth and even in the heavens…….

EPHESIANS 6:12 “FOR WE DO NOT WRESTLE AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST THE RULERS, AGAINST THE AUTHORITIES, AGAINST THE COSMIC POWERS OVER THIS PRESENT DARKNESS, AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES.”

I wonder how many of us take this spiritual battle seriously?

JESUS HAS SAVED US, SO THAT WE CAN SECURELY PLACE WITH CONFIDENCE, ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES.

Do we realize the landmines that are around us?  How about the pits satan pulls us into when our steps are uncertain and the world crashes in upon us?

We need only look to GOD’S word to find our strength in the battle.  In Ephesians there is a treasure for us, instructing us on how we should walk in these minefields……

EPHESIANS 6: 13 “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 FIRM.”

All of us need this sustained armor of GOD to use as spiritual warfare in the Christian life.  This armor helps us to stand boldly for CHRIST and for HIS Church.

And oh what a war it is………a war for our very souls!

As a member of the Body of Christ, we can stand firm against the enemy as we build one another up, encourage one another, lift one another and share with one another as we walk hand in hand through the battlefield we all face.

Some have more landmines around them than others……..some of us fall into pit after pit, all dug deep by the enemy.  The enemy can’t wait to pull us into pits of our pasts or even future……why?  Because then we aren’t focusing on the glorious present and our presence with GOD!  So let the presence of GOD enfold you right now!

By wearing the armor of GOD, we can stand tall, press on forward…….always with strength and courage and hope, knowing the LORD is the only ONE to pull us out of those pits and to avoid those landmines.  If we abide daily with HIM, HE gives us the discernment in HIS infinite wisdom to know what type of armor we need for that particular day. 

So, let us press on forward my friends, just as Paul did……..

PHILIPPIANS 3: 13-14 “BUT ONE THING I DO: FORGETTING WHAT LIES  BEHIND AND STRAINING FORWARD TO WHAT LIES AHEAD.  I PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.”

Paul ventured from one battlefield to another, but he always kept his eyes on JESUS!  And he was very aware of the enemies around him…….

PHILIPPIANS 3: 18-19 “FOR MANY, OF WHOM I HAVE OFTEN TOLD YOU AND NOW TELL YOU EVEN WITH TEARS, WALK AS ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST.  THEIR END IS DESTRUCTION, THEIR god IS THEIR BELLY, AND THEY GLORY IN THEIR SHAME, WITH MINDS SET ON EARTHLY THINGS.”

Because of the world around us, we need to put on the armor of GOD and press on towards the prize that awaits us in heaven.  So let’s remember to do this:

EPHESIANS 6: 14-17 “STAND THEREFORE, HAVING FASTENED ON THE BELT OF TRUTH, AND HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND, AS SHOES FOR YOUR FEET, HAVING PUT ON THE READINESS GIVEN BY THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.  IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES TAKE UP THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WITH WHICH YOU CAN EXTINGUISH ALL THE FLAMING DARTS OF THE EVIL ONE; AND TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION, AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD.”

Isn’t it a comfort to know that the enemy is no match for our all powerful GOD in Heaven?  We are Christian solders that should be ready for all those darts that come for us.  We need to stand ready……… be alert, but most of all…….be confident about the ROCK on which we stand.  We need to be the type of soldier for CHRIST, that when our feet hit the floor in the morning, the enemy says: ahh oh, they are up!”  Stand firm against the enemy, satan, because the LORD never leaves us defenseless, HE equips us with everything we need for our earthly battles.  Remember, HE is all powerful, HE is Sovereign and HE is IMMANUEL……. GOD WITH US!

EPHESIANS 6: 18 “TO THAT END, KEEP ALERT WITH ALL PERSEVERANCE MAKING SUPPLICATION FOR ALL THE SAINTS.”