29-Dec-14

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10aThe storms of life create darkness and fear in our innermost being.  It is during the wave-tossed moments that we come back to this astounding verse – I will hold you up with my victorious right hand….As the old hymn messages, “Oh, Victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever, He sought me and bought me with His redeeming love….” That victory is ours through Grace and Mercy of Jesus Christ.When we want our strength renewed, it comes through trusting the One who created us.  That new strength is soaring on high like Eagles.  We will not grow weary…in living day by day, no matter how deep the water or fierce the storm.But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31It is one thing to say — Be strong — and another to be strengthened to face the spiritual forces of evil.  To be a ‘victim’ is to know no hope.  To be strong in the Lord, we are given armor, the armor of God:  Truth, buckled around our waist, the breastplate of righteousness, the readiness of peace, the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation.  Finally, the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God — a necessary part of our Armor against wickedness.This is God’s Word!  It will stand forever more.  And I check my Armor for the day, am I ready to face whatever is before me?  When I grow weary, do I turn and soar with Eagles?  When I am discouraged, can I remember the victories of God in my life and be strengthened?  Interesting that Truth is the first part of the Armor.  That is a good place to begin, and everything falls into place.Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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 6:10-16