Putting on the Armor!!

     A lady and I were talking last night, after Bible study, how frustrating it is that we let satan get the best of us without even realizing it sometimes. We think we are going to do something like pray with someone, or send a card of encouragement, sign up to teach Sunday school, etc. and satan tells us how stupid we are, and what others will think of us, etc. and soon we are agreeing with him and then we don't do it and he wins.  Later you kick yourself for allowing it to happen. Just like this blog, I really feel like Christ has called me to it and yet every time I go to write you won't believe the struggle I go through. Even to the point I haven't told anyone yet I'm doing it. I'm getting closer. 
     He even fights us physically by making us not feel good on Sunday mornings, telling us "who do you think you are wearing that", "Don't you realize, nobody there likes you", etc. Lies all lies. John 8:44 tells us he's the father of lies. 
     In Bible study we were also talking about the distractions, when you are trying to have your quiet time with Christ, and how the phone will ring, even when you got up early to avoid that. Or you can't seem to shut your mind down and listen to His voice. All of a sudden it is flooded with your to do list, the children wake up, your extremely hungry, etc.
     So ladies we really have to learn to pray for strength before we even get out of bed. Put on our armor daily. Ephesians 6:10-18 says

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.

     I am going to turn this into a prayer and try to memorize it so that I may start each day with it before I even get out of bed.

     Lord, today I ask you to allow me to be strong in You and Your mighty power. Let me put on my full armor, that You have so graciously given me, so that I can take my stand against the devils schemes. Let me always remember my struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Let me stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around my waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and my feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Father may I have the strength to take up my shield of faith, so that I may extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Always remembering to take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is your word, God. May I be allowed to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Father I ask you to keep me alert, and always praying for all Your people. So that when the day of evil comes, I may be able to stand my ground. For without You Lord I am nothing. In Jesus name, Amen.

     It is satan's joy to keep us down and not realizing the truths that God has given us in his word. 2 Samuel 22:33, 2 Samuel 22:40, 1Chronicles 16:11, Psalm 18:32, Psalm 18:39, Psalm 28:7, and many more.   
     
     I know it sounds like we need to be some kinda wonder woman with all sorts of ninja moves etc., but ladies admit it don't you feel like that is what you are up against everyday. The news is full of headlines. Satan is after us, our marriages, our children, our families, our church families, etc. We have no choice, we have to fight this battle and it can only be won with Christ as our leader. Yet how wonderful to know it can be won.    

In Him