Biblical Spiritual Warfare – 9

Subject: The Shield of Faith

by Rick Welborne

Ephesians 6:10-16 (NIV)
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. 

--We have looked at the belt of truth (Jesus is the truth), we have looked at the breastplate of righteousness (Jesus is our righteousness and our glory), our feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace (Jesus is our foundation and our peace).

--Tonight we are looking at the fourth piece of armor…the shield of faith.

—The shield of faith was connected to the belt of truth...it is important to note that how we operate in faith is directly related to how we walk in truth.

—As we pointed out in an earlier message...it is imperative that we submit to one another in the fear of the Lord or we forfeit the protection the armor gives...we have no right to it.

--It is important to note that unless we walk in truth our faith will be weak and ineffective!

Rick Renner - There were two kinds of shields that Roman soldiers owned. One was used for public parades and ceremonies and the other was used in battle.

1. Our shield must be a shield for battle.

—The first shield (Greek - aspis) was for parades and ceremonies...it was beautiful and was adorned with etchings from previous battles the soldier had been in. Though beautiful...it was too small for battle.

 The second shield that the soldier would use was (Greek - thureos) and this is what is being spoken about in Eph. 6 and was the one used for battle.

Renner - This particular word for shield is the word used by the Greeks for a door that was wide in width and long in length...does that sound familiar to you.

—Sister Browne said God was setting before us a door...God is setting before us the shield of faith to protect us and to shield us from the attacks of the enemy.

J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible - "Above all, taking the shield of faith." The shield covered all of the armor. The shield referred to is a large shield the size of a door. It was the shield of the heavy infantry. 

A soldier stood behind it and was fully protected. Christ is both the door to salvation and the door that protects the believer from the enemy without. This is the picture in John, chapter 10. Christ is both salvation and security. "Faith" enables us to enter the door.

John 10:9 (NKJV) 

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

—Listen to your pastor...your decorative shield is nice and I am assured that it is adorned with beautiful things from your past but it is a new day and there are new battles.

—You need the shield of faith that has been designed for battle...your pretty little shield will not protect you from this present danger...take up the shield of faith and defend yourself and your family.

—The shield of faith completely covered the man! Because the Holy Spirit was careful to select thureos as the illustration of faith rather than aspis. 

-He is telling us that God has given us enough faith to make sure that we are completely covered...just like the shield completely covered a Roman soldier!

Romans 12:1-3 (NKJV)
¹  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
²  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
³  For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 

--How much faith has God given you? He has given you enough faith to make sure that you are covered from head to toe! 

—Stop worrying that God has given more faith to this one or that one and rest in the assurance that He has given you enough to cover you completely...He loves you! 

Renner -  In the majority of cases, the Roman's soldiers shield was composed of multiple layers of thick animal hide that had been tightly woven together. Usually six layers of animal hide were specially tanned, and then were woven together so tightly, they became nearly as strong as steel.

2. Our shield must be anointed with oil.

Barnes' Notes on the New Testament - The shield was usually made of light wood, or a rim of brass, and covered with several folds or thicknesses of stout hide, which was preserved by frequent anointing. It was held by the left arm, and was secured by straps, through which the arm passed. The outer surface of the shield was made more or less rounding from the center to the edge, and was polished smooth, or anointed with oil, so that arrows or darts would glance off, or rebound. 

—Barnes and Renner say the same thing about the animal hides and both say they were preserved by frequent anointing with oil.

—Though six layers of animal hide was strong and durable...without proper care they would become stiff and breakable over a period of time without proper care.

—The soldiers had a daily regiment (intentional) to keep their shield in good shape...to keep it ready for battle...Each morning when he woke up...he would reach for his shield and for a vial of oil.

—He would saturate a cloth and then rub and rub the shield to keep it in the greatest condition possible...ready for battle! This was done intentionally!!!

—Hear your pastor...if it was not anointed daily it would become brittle and would fall to pieces...it would crack under pressure...the end result was certain death for the soldier!

—The anointing oil represents the Holy Spirit...the daily anointing represents how we must rise in the morning and put on the full armor of God and allow the anointing of the Holy Spirit to come upon us! Let me show you:

Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV)
¹⁸  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

—Without a fresh touch of the Holy Spirit upon your life your faith will become hard, stiff, and brittle...the first sign of adversity or temptation you will crack under pressure and fall to pieces.

—Stop parading yourself around with your decorative shield basting in the glory of days gone by...it can be a deadly mistake...take up your shield of faith today and every day...it has to be intentional!

3. Our shield must be soaked in water.

Renner - Another reason the Roman's soldier's shield was made of animal hide was, before the soldiers went out to war, they took their shields, dipped them in water, and left them soaking in that water until their shields were completely saturated with water. What was the purpose?

—It was to quench the fiery darts (arrows) of the enemy...what does this say to us?

Ephesians 5:25-26 (NIV) 

25  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 

26  to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

—In order for the Roman soldiers to keep their shields in top notch condition, it was required that their shields had daily applications of both oil and water.

—In the same way we must keep our shield of faith in top condition and we do it by the daily application of the oil (Holy Spirit) and the water (the Word of God).

—If you want the fiery darts coming at you to fall to the ground...be filled with the Spirit of God and consume the Word of God.

—In the verse we have been looking at... the phrase above all bothered me...l thought the belt of truth was the most important...Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! John 14:6

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary - Above all rather, "Over all"; so as to cover all that has been put on before. 

Barnes' Notes on the New Testament - Above all. Not above all in point of importance or value, but “over all”, covering all, as a soldier holds his shield to defend himself. It constitutes a protection over every part of his body, as it can be turned in every direction. The idea is, that as the shield covered or protected the other parts of the armor, so faith had a similar importance in the Christian virtues. 

—Not so much a statement of importance but a statement of position...as we march forward for our Commander and Chief the Lord Jesus Christ...let us hold out in front of us this shield of faith to keep us and our families safe! 

—Remember...McGee said that each part of the armor represents Christ:

--The belt of truth - Jesus is the way, the truth.. 

--The breastplate of righteousness...He is our righteousness and our glory!

--Our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace...He is our Peace...Who has broken down every wall! He is our shield!

Psalm 18:1-3 (NKJV)
¹  I will love You, O LORD, my strength.
²  The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
³  I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. 

Passionate Evangelism

Subject - Reaching the Lost with the Gospel

by Rick Welborne

Isaiah 62:112 (NLT) 

1 Because I love Zion, I will not keep still. Because my heart yearns for Jerusalem, I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch. 

2 The nations will see your righteousness. World leaders will be blinded by your glory. And you will be given a new name by the LORD’s own mouth. 

3 The LORD will hold you in his hand for all to see— a splendid crown in the hand of God. 

4 Never again will you be called “The Forsaken City” or “The Desolate Land.” Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,” for the LORD delights in you and will claim you as his bride. 

5 Your children will commit themselves to you, O Jerusalem, just as a young man commits himself to his bride. Then God will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. 

6 O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the LORD. 

7 Give the LORD no rest until he completes his work, until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth. 

8 The LORD has sworn to Jerusalem by his own strength: “I will never again hand you over to your enemies. Never again will foreign warriors come and take away your grain and new wine. 

9 You raised the grain, and you will eat it, praising the LORD. Within the courtyards of the Temple, you yourselves will drink the wine you have pressed.” 

10 Go out through the gates! Prepare the highway for my people to return! Smooth out the road; pull out the boulders; raise a flag for all the nations to see. :

11 The LORD has sent this message to every land: “Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look, your Savior is coming. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.’” 

12 They will be called “The Holy People” and “The People Redeemed by the LORD.” And Jerusalem will be known as “The Desirable Place” and “The City No Longer Forsaken.” 

--Almost five years ago God gave us a new name after we had endured some adversity and trials. In the middle of the trials God gave me some wonderful promises.

--My family and I had been offered a position in Houston, Texas and the offer was tempting because of what we were walking thru…I told the Lord I did not want to stay here if it would hurt the church.

--Three couples show up in a Sunday morning service and then want to take us to lunch…around 4:00pm they offer me the pastorate of their church…I told them I could not answer until I heard from God.

--Don’t ask me why God likes to talk at 3:00am but He woke me up and said this: I have ordained you to pastor LFA (at the time) and if you will stay and endure this trial, you will see growth like never before. I said yes!

--Of course, I thought as soon as I said ‘yes’ God would end the trial and everything would turn around in a matter of weeks…it was about three more years. Was it difficult…yes…but was it worth the wait…yes!

--As that time started coming to an end, God began to do a new thing here at our church…He started breathing life into us and you could feel the difference in the atmosphere…it was powerful!

--For years we had talked about changing our name as a church but never was there agreement. When He started pouring life into us, the change was inevitable. He also gave us the verse for the change, Life Church!

John 10:10 (NKJV) 

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 

Isaiah 62:2 (NLT) 

2 The nations will see your righteousness. World leaders will be blinded by your glory. And you will be given a new name by the LORD’s own mouth. 

--The name, the promise, and the growth started and we have not looked back ever since that day. It was exciting re-introducing our church to the community and oh how Holy Spirit showed up!

1. It is time to live up to the new name God has given us…Life Church!

–Sister Browne shared with us about that great and effective door. She said when we go thru those doors, that on the other side, would be our church sharing the gospel with those needing life. They are still there!

–I reiterate to all of us...it was not just about us changing our name but it is about God changing our hearts, our mission, and our passion.

–Yes, we have been thru a time of testing and trials and some may still be going thru some stuff...there are many adversaries...some assigned to you. We must realize people need the life we have to offer.

–I personally believe that we no longer have time to deal with small insignificant skirmishes (our own petty issues) but it is time for the church to rise up and to storm the gates of hell.

Matthew 16:1819 (NKJV) 

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 

19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 

–Oh, Pastor Rick, take a chill pill...we are growing...we have great programs...great leaders...we are giving to missions and benevolence...we are blessed! But what of those who are still lost?

--It is time for the soldiers of the cross to rise up and worship the King like never before and witness like Jesus is coming back today...the bridge is out and many are headed for destruction.

–Thank God that we are getting involved in events outside our church...David Houck in the Ocala Forest, Pastor Marty in the Nursing Home, Pastor Mark and Pastor Juan hitting the streets…we need Passionate Evangelism!

2. It is time for Life Church to become the “Hot Spot” in Central Florida!

--By that, I do not mean that we are the most popular or the coolest socially or the latest greatest church fad in the area…what I mean is that we are hot and on fire for the Lord.

Matthew 3:1012 (NKJV) 

10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 

–It is time to bear fruit...be productive or get cut off...it is time to truly get baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire...God is saying that House cleaning has begun!

–This is our year corporately, as families, and as individuals...what if every family wins one family, every individual wins one, what if our ministries turn into events where salvation occurs on a regular basis.

–I release our connect groups to become soul saving stations where hearts are healed and lives are changed...compel them to come in!

–Stop with the excuses...I am shy...I am called to something else...I am too old...too young...too busy!

–Either God’s Word is true or it is not...I submit to you that it is true...Acts 1:8...you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you shall be my witnesses!!!

–You have no idea how many are just waiting to hear the good news that Jesus can save them and give them hope and life...our world is so messed up! Look around…is anyone here because of you or your witness?

Mark 16:1520 (NKJV) 

15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 

18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." 

19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 

20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. 

–Oh, Pastor Rick...I want to see signs and wonders here in our church...just maybe...just maybe ...the signs and wonders are meant to be more outside the church...

–Did He not say “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” it is time for us to go and as we go that the signs will follow those who believe.

–Signs cannot follow if we are not going anywhere...I believe that as we go out into our community that the Holy Spirit will follow us and do miracles.

–My opinion is this: that if we go out into the community and compel them to come in, Holy Spirit will be with us but He will also show up in the House to set them free!!!

–Pastor Rick, this is something that is just for the younger folks...I came here to retire and to enjoy myself...oh, really?

–Why would God take believers out of Ohio, Maine, Minnesota, Michigan, Kentucky, New York, Tennessee, California and set them in the middle of a retirement community in Central Florida?

–Why would God take “Spirit filled believers” out of other states and drop them here in Central Florida among people who need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ?

–Don’t kid yourself the seniors need Christ just as much as the young people...right here more alcohol is consumed, STDs are rampant, domestic violence is prevalent...they need you...they need Jesus!

Mark 16:20 (NKJV) 

20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. 

–Why would God place young people at Leesburg High, Tavares, Eustis, The Villages Charter, and our colleges unless He wanted you to be salt and life to the other young people there.

–Jonesboro, Arkansas...a young man got filled with the Holy Spirit, began to intercede for his school and eventually saw more than 300 kids come to Christ.

3. It is time for us to live up to our name and start sharing life.

–Pastor Rick, witnessing may cost me something…what will my friends think? They may think…someone cares for my soul. Lady at Bamboo…no one else cares for my soul like you.

Romans 12:1 (NKJV) 

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (NIV - Spiritual Act of Worship)

–It is reasonable for me as your pastor to exhort you to get out of your pews, offer yourselves as living sacrifices to reach the lost. Sacrifice your pride, your reputation, your prestige to reach other people.

Philippians 2:58 (NKJV) 

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 

7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.   

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 

–There is power in the Name of Jesus...There is an army rising up!!!

–One family...lead one family to Christ and get them to church...it is time we look beyond ourselves and reach our world.

–It is a time of new beginnings...a new day...a new start...a new season...for us a new name and a new mission.

–God’s mission for us has always been the same: worship, reach the lost thru missions and evangelism, and discipleship!

--We have received His marching orders to take to them life…let’s go!

Biblical Spiritual Warfare – 8

Subject – Feet Fitted with Readiness

by Rick Welborne

Ephesians 6:10-15 (NIV)
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. 

--So far, we have looked at the belt of truth (Jesus is the Truth) and we have looked at the breastplate of righteousness…tonight we will look at your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 

1. Get ready…get ready!

Ephesians 6:15 (NIV)
¹⁵  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Ephesians 6:15 (NLT)
¹⁵  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

Ephesians 6:15 (NKJV)
¹⁵  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Ephesians 6:15 (NRSV)
¹⁵  As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.

--Just in case you have not caught this yet…Paul is talking about being intentional…readiness, fully prepared, preparation, and ready.

--If you will have readiness, if you will be fully prepared, if you will have preparation, if you will be ready… it will be because you intended for that to happen. You…you…you put on the full armor of God.

--Yes, you can live a life of reaction, conformity, or independence but, if you do, you will not be ready for battle. You must be intentional about winning this battle…you must do your part!

Gordon Maxwell – A Roman soldier wore thick leather boots and would take and drive nails thru the soles to act as spikes like a cleat or a golfing shoe. This gave him more traction, a good foothold, and a good foundation to stand and fight the enemy. This way, no matter how the enemy pushed the soldier, he could not be pushed back, he could not be moved. 

Barnes – With the shoes were added greaves that were fitted to the legs, and designed to defend them from any danger. These greaves were made of brass and were used universally by the Greeks and Romans. 

Adam’s Clarke’s Commentary – The greaves were deemed of essential importance in the ancient armor because if the feet or legs are materially (significantly) wounded, a man can neither stand to resist his foe, pursue him if vanquished, nor flee from him should he have the worst of the fight.

--The point here is this: our feet and legs are vitally important to be able to stand and hold your place when you are in battle. Ask any athlete who has a injured foot or leg. In sports we call them our wheels.

--When I was younger and would play older guys in tennis or basketball, they would tell me…I just don’t have wheels like I used to. I would just laugh inside but now it is not that funny.

--J. Vernon McGee says we can’t pick and choose the parts of the armor we want…we need it all. Neither can we pick the parts of the Bible we like and forget the rest…all of it is important.

--You see, Christ is our Belt of Truth, He is our Breastplate of Righteousness, and He is the foundation on which our feet get prepared for the gospel of peace. Christ equips us for battle. 

--Our weapons are not carnal because Christ is not carnal:

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NKJV)
³  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
⁴  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
⁵  casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
⁶  and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Ephesians 6:15 (NIV)
¹⁵  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 

2. We fight the battle to win peace.

--As I meditated on Eph. 6:15 it hit me that the purpose for war or for being engaged in battle is to get to a place of peace…we are fighting a spiritual battle but our goal is peace. 

--You may be in a battle for the souls of your prodigals, a battle in your heart after a broken relationship, a battle to see someone healed…our goal is for peace from the struggle whatever it might be.

Hebrews 12:12-15 (NLT)
¹²  So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.
¹³  Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
¹⁴  Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.
¹⁵  Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 

--Wow! Work at living in peace with everyone…what would happen if the church, the country, or the world would live by this…How different is this compared to a religion that calls everyone else infidels. 

--There is something special about people who bring peace to people and to situations. I love what the Apostle Paul says about this:

Romans 10:15 (NKJV)
¹⁵  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" 

--Our feet should be geared or shod for war but our feet should be running to spread peace to everyone we can. This is not just for missionaries but for all of us. We could use a “Beautiful Feet” ministry!

3. Our feet must be planted on a solid foundation.

1 Corinthians 3:9-17 (NKJV)
⁹  For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.
¹⁰  According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
¹¹  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
¹²  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
¹³  each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.
¹⁴  If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
¹⁵  If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
¹⁶  Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
¹⁷  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

--Feet having a good foundation is so very important…this is why whether it is for battle or for sports…the right shoes are so necessary. Most of you women think they are just for a fashion statement…heeled!

--Verse 11 tells us again that it is Jesus Who is our foundation and the way it is worded is that He is the only foundation for us as believers…no other foundation can anyone lay than that of Jesus Christ.

Tyler Edwards - “God doesn't expect us to be a walking encyclopedia of biblical knowledge. He wants us to know Him, to be in a relationship with Him. This means not only hearing but allowing our understanding of God to change the way we live. Like the wise builder who laid the foundation of his house on the rock, we learn to let our knowledge of God change us.”

--I believe this has been said before but let me reiterate…it matters how we live when we walk this Christian life and it especially matters when we are engaging in spiritual warfare.

--When we live in such a way that the world cannot distinguish whether we are true followers in Christ and when we live in ways that are contrary to God’s Word…we have no reason to believe for victory in battle.

--When we enter spiritual warfare (for the believer that means getting out of bed) we must give great attention to our feet being planted in something stronger than we are…planted on the Rock Christ Jesus!

Topsy Gift - “The building blocks that form the foundation of your great and successful future, are the actions you take today”.  “What you do today is the foundation upon which your future will stand”.

--So what this means is that spiritual warfare starts today and getting ready starts today…we must be intentional in all we do…what actions are you going to take today to be prepared for battle?

--I suggest that you put on the full armor of God every day out loud and that you build on that proclamation each day.

I will lift up my eyes because Jesus is coming soon!

I put on the belt of truth,

I put the breastplate of righteousness,

My feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace,

I raise up the shield of faith,

I put on the helmet of salvation,

I raise up the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God,

I throw the lance of praying in the Holy Spirit toward those who need to be set free,

I declare no weapon formed against me will prosper,

I declare that by His stripes I am healed, 

I declare that I am more than a conqueror, 

I declare I have the wisdom of God,

I declare Israel blessed and protected,

I declare the United States blessed and protected, 

I declare 2017 is our year for miracles and supernatural Holy Spirit growth,

I declare the Bible is God’s Word and I will obey what it says,

I declare we are a church for every generation,

I declare we are one,

I declare every chain broken,

I declare revival is coming,

I declare I will praise the Lord,

I will praise the Lord in the sanctuary and in the mighty heavens,

I declare that as long as I have breath I will praise the Lord,

I will praise the Lord!

--Once I have prayed these declarations I pray for my wife, my children, my siblings, friends with marriage problems, the sick, the hurting and so on…then, I pray in Holy Spirit! I am intentional!

Andrena Sawyer - “When it comes to purpose and preparation, most of us want to skip the preparation part and get right to purpose, which is why we don't always get to truly enjoy and walk in our purpose. Don't despise the discomfort in preparation. It's the set-up for a firm foundation. Preparation ultimately ensures that we don't squander purpose.” 

--The Roman soldier was always going thru rigorous training to get him ready for battle. The constant preparation and detail to their weapons made them so successful.

--Of course, the same is true for us…we must be trained (our word is discipled) and we must put on the full armor of God so that we can stand when we are in the heat of the battle. Watch for the word stand!

Ephesians 6:10-15 (NIV)
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 (to hold up under – to defy – to resist – to hold out) 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. 

--Having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace in an enabling ability to stand in the middle of battle. 

Philippians 1:27-28 (NIV)
²⁷  Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel
²⁸  without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God.