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. Ephesians 6:13 NIV
Today many young people and some older people have a way of throwing up the deuces sign and it means “I’m out,” I am done with this job, I am done with this friendship, I am done with this program, this class and the like. How does anything get accomplished in your life when you cannot navigate conflict and life dilemmas? So when there is someone who gives you drama on the job or a class becomes difficult, you throw up the deuces sign. If we learn how to put on the full armor of God, you will be able to stand when conflict arises or people become a problem in your life, but you cannot accomplish your goals without dealing with them.
What would life be like if we all just threw up the deuces sign? I certainly would have not completed college and I would have hopped from job to job. I have learned how to trust God, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord; and with the full armor of God, I am able to stand against whatever comes my way. The Lord said in his word that he would fight my battles and I know this because I walk with the sword of the spirit which is the word, which I have hidden in my heart so that I can stand on the promises of God.
Yes, on occasion my knees have buckled, but the Lord holds me up and I am able to stand my ground against the enemy. No weapon formed against me will prosper, weapons will form, but they will be defeated when God is on my side. Donnie McClurkin wrote the lyrics “after you have done all you can just stand….” And the victory will be yours because you have decided to put on the full armor of God. God bless.
When I was a young girl, one of my most favorite things to do was watch shows related to super heroes especially female super heroes such as Wonder Women and the Bionic Women. I enjoyed the story line between good and evil, the suspense was breath taking, but good always won. Spiderman and the Hulk was also amongst my favorites. My Husband said to me one day “how many times are you going to watch that Spiderman movie.” I do not know why I kept watching that movie, maybe I wanted to fly through the air, maybe I wanted to defend the weak and defeat evil. Maybe I wanted to have wonder woman’s bracelets and the bionic woman’s bionic strength.
Well, at this point in life it looks like it’s not going to happen. As an adult you realize Spiderman, hulk, wonder woman and the bionic woman are fictional characters, the only superhero and awesome power in our life is the power of God who has the ability to dispatch angels. We can go to God in prayer, no matter our location. Sometimes you might have to call on the name of God on your job, in the grocery store, at your children’s school, no matter the place, God is available. I am reminded of a devotional song that says “when I call on God he will come to my rescue any time any place anywhere.” The bible says The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Prov18:10 NKJV)
When I was young in the Pentecostal church we use to call on the name of Jesus, I am so glad that I know that there is power in the name of Jesus and whatever the situation, calling on the name of Jesus brings such peace in the midst of life’s most challenging storms. I am glad that I can call on the name of Jesus even when the storm clouds of life are not raging I can just say thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord for being with me through it all, the good and the bad. Some people rely on self and things of this world, but all of these things will pass away and do not offer consistency. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. God Bless.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark1:35 NIV
My husband said to me one day, before I gave birth to our son Joshua, “I don’t know how you are going to have a baby because you do not like noise. I said, “I have to hear the voice of the Lord.” Sometimes in life we need to cut off all electronic devices and the television and get into a quiet place to hear from the Lord for the many things that is going on in our lives before we make decisions. The Lord also wants to speak to us and reveal some things. There have been times when I did not seek the Lord in some situations in my life and the effects of that was evident. We must wait on the Lord and be of good courage and sometimes no answer is an answer. When you have a relationship with God, you will be able to hear his voice like many in the bible. The Lord spoke to David and Mary and Moses just to name a few who were followers and believers of an almighty God. I can remember being in some difficult business situations, because I was a neophyte regarding business dos and don’ts; because of the solitary place and shutting out noise, God could reveal which direction to go in. I am grateful for having a divine connection in order for the Lord to order my steps. Proverb tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” God Bless.
So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel.4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. (Jeremiah 18: 3-4 NIV)
There are so many layers of life that help shape and define who we have become today. We all have different experiences and up bringing’s; some good, some bad, some tragic, and the like. I am grateful that my foundation was solid. Was I taught everything? Absolutely not, certain aspects of life cannot be taught; one has to experience situations and circumstances that can either make you or break you. Having a family that leaned on the everlasting arms and trusted God, I was able to learn and draw from that foundation when dealing with challenging people and obstacles; i.e. School, business and Church.
Regina Belle sings a song that was a message to her son “if Icould” some of the lyrics are: If I could I’d protect you from the sadness in your eyes Give you courage in a world of compromise Yes, I would If I could I would teach you all the things I’ve never learned And I’d help you cross the bridges that I’ve burned Yes, I would If I could If I could I would help you make it through the hungry years But I know that I can never cry your tears, babe But I would if I could If I knew I’d try to change the world I brought you to Now there isn’t much more that I can do But I would if I could….
Most parents would probably love to save their children from the bumps and bruises on this journey called life, but that cannot always be the case, but one can introduce their children to the master craftsmen who is Jesus; who will shape them for his glory. Christ will love us, discipline us, protect us, strengthen us and pour out blessings not room enough to receive. I am grateful for the master craftsmen that helped shape my life and continues to work the clay for his glory. God Bless
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