The Whole Armor of God “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. 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; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6:13-18 Remember, our goal in spiritual warfare is to stand firm in our faith in Christ Jesus. The enemy would have you doubt the truth of God, just like He did to Adam and Eve in Eden. (Genesis 3) Because of Christ we are able to “put on” salvation, faith, truth, righteousness, and the gospel of peace as armor; these are very real and protect us. Along with the word of God (our offensive weapon), each of these things is a gift from God through belief in and fellowship with Christ. Ask God to help you suit up for what is in store. You have help and protection, and are never alone in Christ. the gospel of peace readies us for spiritual warfare. With your mind centered on the gospel that saved you, pray in the Spirit. In a way, we wield the Word of God through prayer, because our prayers have the power to impact this world and how it functions. God is sovereign, and our prayers funnel through that sovereignty. God graciously desires to reveal Himself to us more and more as we fellowship with Him. Today, commit to praying. Prayer is central to this war and it has impact, influence, and great power. Verse/Commentary courtesy of ‘Verse-A-Day’...

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:10-12 KJV ) “We are to stand against Satan’s schemes. Warring in the spirit is a learning process. As we learn, there will be times that we need to retreat. In training we practice putting on the full armor of God as verse 11 says. When we do this, we can stand against any evil without fear because God has crafted the armor and stands with us! Notice who we battle against in verse 12. As with any conflict, there are times for offense and times for defense. Remember this as you begin to recognize spiritual warfare with the eyes of your heart.” Verse/Commentary courtesy of ‘Verse-A-Day’...

  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”(Galatians 5:22-26 NKJV)  He has loved you with an everlasting love, a love that is not based on how you feel or what you think about Him. It is unmerited love. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). There are no ifs, or buts about that ‘nothing’ can match the Love of God!!...

Wages or Gift? “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” [Romans. 6: 23.] “Man was originally endowed with noble powers and a well- balanced mind. He was perfect in his being, and in harmony with God. His thoughts were pure, his aims holy. But through disobedience, his powers were perverted, and selfishness took the place of love. His nature became so weakened through transgression that it was impossible for him, in his own strength, to resist the power of evil. He was made captive by Satan, and would have remained so forever had not God specially interposed. It was the tempter’s purpose to thwart the divine plan in man’s creation, and fill the earth with woe and desolation. By nature we are alienated from God. The Holy Spirit describes our condition in such words as these: “Dead in trespasses and sins;” “the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint;” “no soundness in it” (Eph. 2: 1; Isa. 1: 5, 6). We are held fast in the snare of Satan, “taken captive by him at his will” (2 Tim. 2: 26). God desires to heal us, to set us free. But since this requires an entire transformation, a renewing of our whole nature, we must yield ourselves wholly to Him. The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness. . . . God does not force the will of His creatures. He cannot accept an homage that is not willingly and intelligently given. A mere forced submission would prevent all real development of mind or character; it would make man a mere automaton. Such is not the purpose of the Creator. He desires that man, the crowning work of His creative power, shall reach the highest possible development. He sets before us the height of blessing to which He desires to bring us through His grace. He invites us to give ourselves to Him, that He may work His will in us. It remains for us to choose whether we will be set free from the bondage of sin, to share the glorious liberty of the sons of God.” From God’s Amazing Grace – Page 312 Ellen G....

The Sword and the Spirit October 31, 2013  SSNET Staff “Joseph hadn’t been a Christian long. In his zeal to share his new faith with others, he had come to this village as a Global Mission pioneer to teach others about Christ. Some listened, but others were angry that a Christian had come to stir up their village. They found Joseph and demanded vengeance. Joseph prayed as the mob surrounded him. Then he spoke to the leader, who brandished a sword. “Brother, I’ve come in peace and in the name of Jesus,” he said. “My God wants to be your God, too.” The crowd quieted, and the leader challenged Joseph with his eyes. “My little girl has been paralyzed for six years. She can’t move, and she can’t speak. If your God can heal my daughter, then we will leave you alone. But if not, then we will kill you.” The man turned and walked toward his home. The mob pushed Joseph to follow. Joseph and the mob leader entered the house together. Joseph looked at Kamala, the little girl, and realized that only a miracle would save her life-and his. He knelt by her bed and asked God to heal Kamala if it was His will. “Help this family to understand that You are the all-powerful God,” he prayed. Joseph finished his prayer and stood up. He continued to silently for the child, and within minutes Kamala moved slightly. She stretched one leg and then the other; then she stretched her arms. Slowly she sat up. The family watched, speechless with joy, as Kamala pulled herself up on her once-withered legs and took a step. “My daughter!” Kamala’s mother whispered. The girl smiled and walked slowly toward her mother. Tearfully the man who had planned to kill Joseph hugged him. “I want to know about your God,” he said. News of the girl’s miraculous healing spread rapidly through the village. Many wanted to know about Joseph’s God. The man who had brandished a sword and planned to kill Joseph now works with him to teach others about the living God. Dozens have turned to Jesus and worship Him instead of their former gods. Our mission offerings help support the work of men and women such as Joseph who serve as Global Mission pioneers around the world. Thank you for having a part in the work of God through your offerings. Joseph and his wife served as Global Mission pioneers in western India....

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah [Psalm 46:1-3 ] New King James Version...