Ephesians 6

Suit Up and Pray for Orlando and the World

/ Bybrendat / Leave a comment

Pray for Orlando

With one finger, a deranged man takes the life of a beloved singer.

With one finger, a madman pledging allegiance to ISIS takes the lives of 50.

Within just hours two different men pulled the triggers that cast the happiest place on earth into a sea of heartbreak and tears.

What triggers such heinous actions?

Fear and hate. The same thing that triggered the heinous crucifixion of Jesus Christ. But our Lord and Savior defeated death once and for all so that all that believe in Him shall have everlasting life. Thank goodness for Him for, in my opinion, He is the only thing that makes any sense at all in a fallen world left gasping for air.

Indeed, as the seconds, minutes and hours tick off, as the days turn into night, it seems as if the darkness is completely overtaking us. Satan is hard at work and knows just what to use to cloud our souls, to hurl as many souls as possible into an abyss of hate, confusion, loneliness, hurt and depression. The prince of darkness knows full well that is harder for us to follow and find comfort in our Great God when our eyes are shrouded by clouds.

What that devil can’t comprehend, however, is how our faith can still rise up like a phoenix from the darkest, nethermost reaches of his hellish plantings. How, just when he thinks he has us in his evil grip, the majestic bird adorned with colorful plumage and a tail of gold and scarlet scoops us up and drops us safely in the lap of our Father.

Oh my, please don’t you ever forget, no matter what, that we are safe in our Father’s lap. And from that place of safety, we should lift up our eyes and voices in prayer, not just for Orlando and Florida, but for the United States and the entire world. Don’t stop with the victims and their family and friends, but pray for each and every aching heart on the planet. We must stand together in solidarity; we must stand in the gap and intercede; we must be fervent and relentless. We must keep crying out to The Father who loves us. We must curl up in His lap and receive comfort and healing as well as training and power. In His Name, we can and will make a difference. Our weapons are bigger than anything the enemy can muster and, unlike him, we are indestructible. The Bible tells us so. Stand up. Suit up. Live and pray in His awesome power.

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 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. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Amen and Ehmen!

A Warrior In Training…

/ Bybrendat / 3 Comments

Note: I have been reading through my God-Time Journals and seem to be getting just as much from them now as when they were written five months ago. I hope you glean something from them as well and that perhaps this will motivate us both to spend a little extra time with our Father in the coming days.

April 7, 2015 6:15 am – 7 am

Good morning, God.

I’m trying to start my day off on the right foot with time with you, but, truthfully, I am tired and feel a dear godlittle unsettled. I feel like I have so much to do and am having the tendency to try and rush through our time; just to say I did it; to get a checkmark. That is so not cool and I am so sorry. This isn’t about a checkmark and I’d be better off getting up and doing something else than just going through the motions. Help me, Lord. Bring me back to you. Help me to spend the next 30 minutes with you and you alone. I LOVE spending time with you. You give me such sweet, sweet love and teach me such wonderful things. What are we going to learn today, Jesus? I am listening.

 Ephesians 6: Regarding God’s Armor and Paul’s request for prayer that he continue to boldly preach and spread the good news to gentiles and Jews alike although he was in prison; for God to use him right where he was.

Lord, you know I’m ready to be in fulltime ministry, but I know that there is a reason I’m still here, in chains. Help me to accept my place and use me right where I am. Continue to train me and teach me, my dear sweet Lord and make every breath one that counts for Your Kingdom. Use me Lord, Amen and Ehmen!

Dear Child of Mine,

Good morning. I am proud of you, that you stick to our time together, though you are distracted. This distraction is a battle plan of the enemy, which is why I brought you to Ephesians 6 today. Child, always, always clothe yourself in my full armor, for the devil and his demons are very real. You may not see them with your naked eye, but they are just as real as I Am. But, they are nowhere near as powerful. I have and will always have the edge and, through Me, so do you. Don’t ever forget that. There is absolutely nothing that satan can throw at you that you and I cannot handle together; together being the operative word here. Alone, you are left defenseless, like a tiny lamb among wolves. But, with Me, you will always be surrounded by a hedge of protection. I want you to be like my son, Paul. I know it is hard, when you are ready to move to the next level of ministry, but you must continue to meet me here and throughout your day in prayer, so that I can properly train you. You are going to be a mighty warrior, but warriors must have training before they go into battle. Child, the closer you walk with Me; the closer you get to fulfilling your purpose which, in turn, will win more and more souls for My Kingdom, the more satan and his army of demons will pursue and push you. It is important that you spend this time in training with me so that you can withstand their attacks. I sense you getting anxious; fear not, Child. For when you walk with Me; when you step out on the battlefield in My armor; thine enemies will retreat; they will back away. They know that they can’t win even the smallest battle against Me! Keep Me with you always! They lie in wait, hoping to catch you with your guard down, but, never fear, I am with you always. I love you, child. You come to Me as a defenseless child and become a great warrior with Me by your side. Let’s go win some battles, child. It’s going to be a great and victorious day!