The Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. – (Ephesians 6:10, NIV)

To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in His great power. – (Ephesians 6:10, ERV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, draw your strength and might from God. – (Ephesians 6:10, VOICE)

Our armor, our strength from God, comes into our consciousness as we intentionally seek Him. God’s strength, protection, power, truth, and righteousness grant us a readiness to face whatever comes our way. For in all things, the Lord is present to help us, and He shows us the truth about what lies before us. Because He knows and has overcome all things, He is the One whom we should seek to help and equip us to navigate each new day. His armor is powerful protection from being defeated. At times our need for protection is physical, but just as often there is a mental and or spiritual war being waged. Self-doubt, injuries, illness, and more, are things we all face in our lives. God told us that we would not have a trouble-free life, but rather that He would be with us, always. Our armor is found as we run to the Lord and trust Him to lead us, be with us, and to strengthen us in His wisdom and power for all that lies before us. May we ever seek God to equip us with His armor, so that we might rise up in His wisdom and strength as we encounter every hill and valley that lies before us on the road we are called to take.

The armor of God,

protection indeed;

mind, body and spirit,

He knows what we need.

Wisdom is granted,

as Him we choose seek;

His strength is poured out,

when we’re feeling weak.

As things before us,

seem to be too much;

the Lord will be near,

to fill us all up.

Overflowing love,

as truth is made known;

righteousness revealed,

as His way is shown.

Father, please help us,

to ever seek You;

choose wear Your armor,

as You show the truth.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good, faithful, loving, and ever-present to help. Thank You that we can seek You to equip us for all that lies before us. Thank You that Your armor protects us: body, mind, and spirit. Forgive us for the times that we attempt to muscle our way through things instead of seek You and Your wisdom to know the path that we are meant to take. Show us more and more of who You are and how You love so that we might be better equipped to walk in Your way and do Your will. Lead us in Your love to walk alongside those around us well, so that they may see and know Your heart, care and protection for them. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to strengthen and equip us, for You are our armor and our defense in all things. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:14-16

Run Our Race

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. – (Hebrews 12:1, NIV)

We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. – (Hebrews 12:1, ERV)

So since we stand surrounded by all those who have gone before, an enormous cloud of witnesses, let us drop every extra weight, every sin that clings to us and slackens our pace, and let us run with endurance the long race set before us. – (Hebrews 12:1, VOICE)

 

Running is a great analogy for how we are meant to live life. Encouragement comes from those who have run a similar race before us, and know how to navigate the course well. Just as no runner ever wants to run carrying any unnecessary weight or things that will burden or slow them down, so too, it is meant to be in life with the things that distract and keep us off course from running the race for which we are called to run. To do so, requires perseverance and endurance, as it is not a sprint, but rather a race we are to keep running. In the same way that a runner must stay the course, persevere, and keep running, a life lived well requires faith, perseverance, a dropping of things that distract us from the course that God calls us to, and a conviction to continue, even when it is difficult. Both take training, and require a readiness to keep running. May we learn from all those who have gone before us and run well; may we remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that makes us fall, and may we run our race with endurance, as the true prize is well worth the run.

 

We all know others,

Ash and I as we are ready to run our 1/2 Marathon today. 

Who are running well;

Grace and faithfulness,

Their lives clearly tell.

Just as they have done,

May we in faith, go;

Throwing off burdens,

What won’t help us grow.

In faith, keep running,

With His strength and grace;

Press on, persevere,

The Lord sets the pace.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace, and for the example set before us by those who have lived their lives for You well. Thank You that we are only meant to run the race that You set before us. Thank You that You strengthen and equip us for whatever You ask us to do. Forgive us for the sin that weighs us down and distracts us from staying the course. Teach us to keep our eyes on Your and our feet on the path to which we are called. Show us how to love those around us well, so that we may encourage others as we are encouraged by You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in Your strength and grace to rise up and run our race with endurance. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

Strength to the Weary

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. – (Isaiah 40:29, NIV)

He helps tired people be strong. He gives power to those without it. – (Isaiah 40:29, ERV)

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have not might He increases strength. – (Isaiah 40:29, NKJV)

 

So far, this week has felt extraordinarily long, and we are only two days in, out of four. I am not sure whether it is all of the snow and missed days that we have had the last few weeks, or the full moon, or perhaps the onset of gymnastics season that extends my work day by a couple of hours; but whatever it is, these past two days have felt longer than most, leaving me worn out by early into the evening. Incredibly, each morning is new, and fresh resolve and readiness greet me as I wake. Though feeling tired, I have managed to complete the things required of me with the energy needed. His help and strength have been tangibly present, as if left to my own devices, I might have otherwise tapped out. With fresh eyes, I recognize there is only one more wake-up after today, and that is not beyond what He has granted me strength to do. May we seek the Lord for the strength we need, as He is our Source and Supply, ever near to meet us with His power and presence.

 

When tired and weary,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

Strength is all but gone;

Reach out to Jesus,

Who will lead us on.

He equips with strength,

His grace, grants power;

To keep moving forth,

His love empowers.

No matter the task,

Whatever the call;

He’s strength when we’re weak,

He’ll lead us through all.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our strength when we feel weak, and You empower us when we feel depleted. Thank You for Your grace and love that get us through our longest days. Forgive us for attempting to power through on our own, or for tapping out when we are called to keep moving. Teach us to find balance between the strength and rest to which we are called. Show us how to encourage and support those around us in Your loving kindness as they feel depleted. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to supply the strength we are lacking, so that we may accomplish each day, what You are calling us to do. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. – Exodus 15:2

To Be On Our Guard

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. – (1 Corinthians 16:13)

 

These are weighty and wise words by which we are meant to live. To be on our guard, means that we are aware of what is around us – the things that are influencing us and affecting us, and taking a posture of readiness. Standing firm in the faith requires us to know what we believe. In order for that to happen, we must invest time in the Word and in prayer. The more we invest in knowing God, the more secure we can stand when storms come our way. Courage and strength are gifts that God supplies as we need them most. Even when we don’t necessarily feel courageous nor strong, when we choose to do the next right thing, or take the next obedient step, we are actually operating in His courage and strength. Finally, to do everything in love, is to allow the Lord to flavor all that we do. Let nothing be out of selfish ambition nor with malicious intent, but rather to love as Christ first loved us. When we have to take a stand or step back from spaces that are toxic, even then, there is room to do so in love. If we are listening to the Lord and allowing Him to direct our steps, we can trust that He will work all things out for good. May we each be on our guard; standing firm in our faith; as men and women of courage and strength, as we do all things in His love.

 

To be on our guard,

means we are aware;

of what we take in,

and what is out there.

We must choose stand firm,

in faith to what’s true;

as we seek the Lord,

for He makes us new.

Both courage and strength,

are gifts from the Lord;

granted as needed,

blessings He affords.

So may we each do,

all we do in love;

so hearts may be turned,

to the Lord above.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give us direction in Your Word as to how we are meant to live life as You intended. Thank You that in all that You ask, You provide what is needed to do as You call us to do. Thank You that You equip us to be on guard and stand firm in our faith, as You give us courage and strength to do all things in love. Forgive us for being unaware of that which surrounds us, or for being deaf to that which You are speaking to our hearts. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may hear You well, and embrace the courage and strength that You supply so that we go forth doing everything You ask in love. Lead us to love as You love us, and may many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we are on our guard, standing firm in the faith with Your courage and strength to do all things in love. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

For the Lord your God will bless you, …and your joy will be complete. – Deuteronomy 16:15

Adorned in Armor

Conflict is something from which I typically flee. Seldom, does it seem beneficial or necessary to engage in some sort of argument, when I could easily stay silent and walk away. However, there are times, when I must take a stand. Injustice, especially toward those who are unable to help themselves, seems to be the place where I find I stand firm; ready to fight. Wisdom is required, to know just how I am meant to be strong in Him, when circumstances require that I take action.

Recently, a situation arose with my boys being bullied by a classmate at school. The young man was clearly targeting my cherubs, and for this, I cannot stay silent. My initial response was not exactly loving, nor kind, so I had to stop and breathe, and ask for patience and peace to come so that I could clearly communicate my concerns. Fortunately, my voice was heard and received, and immediate action was taken. Teaching has taken place, and the boy better understands that he is not allowed to treat others the way that he had been treating my guys.

To operate in the way that He asks of us, we must be equipped. “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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” – (Ephesians 6:14-17) Not only does He equip us, but He instructs us as to how to best be armed to face any and every circumstance.

In conflict and peace,

make sure you are dressed;

armed for the battle,

God’s love to impress.

First the belt of truth,

His word combats lies;

uncovers falsehoods,

hiding in disguise.

Breastplate that’s righteous,

protector of heart;

seals His approval,

we’re His work of art.

Feet that are ready,

and able to go;

wherever He asks,

so His truth may show.

The shield of great faith,

fends off fiery darts;

grants us protection,

victory is ours.

Salvation’s helmet,

protecting our mind;

keeps doubt far from us,

for our Lord is kind.

Sword of the Spirit,

our only offense;

used to speak the truth,

in each circumstance.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You provide all that we need to walk in Your ways and live in Your truth. Thank You that You are loving and kind, and are always available and accessible to answer what we are asking. Forgive us for allowing ourselves to go forth unarmed and unprotected, and teach us how to walk in Your armor, so that we are always ready for whatever may come our way. Teach us to walk in Your way and live in Your truth in such a way, that our words and deeds point others directly to You. May we be ambassadors that are worthy to wear that which You provide. Help us to love as we are loved by You. All glory and honor to You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.