"Be Strong In The Lord"

 

SCRIPTURE: "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand". Ephesians 6:13 (KJV)

Paul was looking at a bunch of Christians who had been having trouble with their Christian walk. They were "up" one minute, and "down" the next. Praising God one minute and licking their wounds the next: it was more than he could bear.

Paul was never a part of the military that we know of, but he often spoke of himself, as well as others who worked alongside him as soldiers of the cross. (Ref., Philippians 2:25; II Tim 2:3,4) You see, since being introduced to Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul had enlisted in a "different" war: the war of the GOSPEL. The GOSPEL was "good news" to those that received it, but to those who would not, it became their stumbling block. Paul Says:

"But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;"
1 Corinthians 1:23 (KJV)

That's why Paul says,

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" Ephesians 6: 14,15 (KJV)

There's nothing worse than listening to someone who doesn't know what they're talking about, or speaks with no conviction or excitement whatsoever in their voice! That's why, a new convert, having just been experiencing the change of Christ in their lives, can do more to bring someone to Christ than most ordained preachers - because it's still "NEW AND FRESH". Any man or woman who has NOT "strapped on" (speaking of putting in the armor of Christ) The Eternal, everlasting arms of the Father; nor shared in the sweet communion of meeting with the Son in the garden; nor experienced the electrifying, all-consuming fire of God The Holy Spirit - will ever be as effective in evangelism, as the child of God who has just stood before the throne of God, and said, "My Lord and My God - Take all there is of Me".

What's more, when the fiery darts of change, despair, loneliness, or even death cross their path - most will be unable to stand. But - O my friend... those who have known despair, and have waited on God; those who have known darkness in all of it's evil as it closes in all about them; those who have been encompassed by the bitter sting of death - yet breathe the sweet name of Jesus with their last ounce of ebbing strength; those who have faced adversity with the knowledge that their faith in Christ could even cost them their lives; those who have stood at the bedside of a child wracked with pain - having questions the doctors could not answer and the preacher dared not entertain - yet called out God as "sovereign" in every breath ... they are those who have known what is is like to be a soldier of the cross! For through it all, every footstep, every pathway, every thought, every breath pointed to Calvary! Yes, these are they who walk with their feet shod with the Gospel of peace - for they have known adversity - and they have triumphed in grace. They have known strife and anguish, and the persistence of evil bombarding them from every side, yet they found the eternal truths of God to be "enough". Yes, these are they that now go in peace - because they have known destruction, and yet have seen HOPE. O PRAISE HIS NAME! They have had the very foundations of life ripped from out under them, sweeping them away like the torrid flooding of a raging river, YET THEIR ANCHOR HOLDS!! HALLELUJAH!!!

Do you live such a life? Do you walk such a walk? You can my friend. Being fitted for the Battle requires first that you surrender your allegiance to a sovereign Lord. Is it time that you surrendered your life to the cause today? Maybe what you've been experiencing lately, is your clarion call to battle. What will your answer Be?

Let me tell you from experience my friend, Adversity can be the playground of Satan, or the pathway to God.

Let's Pray:

Father, I Thank you for the tough times in my life Father, for they have proven you to be faithful, and true. I once again surrender all there is of Me this morning Lord, and I ask that you would use me in my walk today, to reach those who are in need of your grace and mercy, and share with them a little bit of what you have done in my life since you came in. In Jesus' Name I Pray, Amen and Amen.

 

 

출처 : http://inthegarden.us/devo2010/itg092910.htm