As we prepare for our upcoming Sharing the Journey conference, here is a blog that will equip us in our daily lives. It's time to pick up our armour and fight the good fight. Together, we will be victorious and we're so glad we could be a part of this journey with you...
The purpose of a Hazmat suit: The person inside the suit…can operate in a POISONOUS invironment….and remain STANDING and UNTOUCHED!
The purpose of God’s FULL armour: The person inside…can operate in a HOSTILE environment…and remain STANDING and UNTOUCHED!
I hope that the description of the picture captured your attention instead of scaring you! It is a somewhat unusual picture, especially on a blog page supposed to motivate readers, right? Well there is a reason why I chose this picture! Please read on!
As I was contemplating and praying about writing this blog, The Holy Spirit reminded me of the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. There I found several verses which addressed armour! As I am preparing to speak on the topic of spiritual disciplines in a few weeks…. I found the story quite fitting and helpful!
In verse 38-39 it says that “Saul clothed David with his armour, he put a bronze helmet on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword over his armour. Then he tried to go, but could not, for he was not used to it. And David said to Saul, I cannot go with these, for I am not used to them. And David took them off.”
Then David, who learned to trust God, who acknowledged how he was able to kill and destroy lions and bears while keeping his father’s sheep (verses 34-37) …. ran towards Goliath. He had faith in God and knew as much as God helped him to kill lions and bears, he knew that one little stone would be enough to kill Goliath. Because God’s power was behind it! Clothed with the armour of God ...and specifically the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Jesus!) he faced, conquered and remained standing and untouched by his enemy!
Friend, I hope you know and realize that we live in a hostile environment. When we awake in the morning satan and his cohorts get ready with attacks on our lives. Their goal is to steal, kill and destroy our lives! The only way we are able to stand and conquer , is to not rely on our own power. Neither should we trust our worldly armour (…..the kind King Saul tried to put on David!), but we must get dressed for success, which means we must put God’s full armour on daily.
In this day and age, we are bombarded with worldly armour; from self-help remedies, self-help books, to many practices on how to overcome hardships or to live victorious lives. And, don’t get me wrong, I think there are great things out there to help us, but when we put all our trust in them, they not only fail us, but it takes us away from God. It takes us away from putting the best armour on, the only armour that gives us the ability to stand and be strong against the missiles of the evil one. And no particular piece is more important than the other, but to be clothed with the full armour as stated in Ephesians 6:10-13 (The Message):
“10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
13Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.”
Therefore, as much as the hazmat suit protects the person inside, enabling him to operate and function in a dangerous and poisonous atmosphere, so much so will the full armour of God do when we put it on daily. We will be able to operate and function in a hostile world, we will be able to stand firm and resist the devil, and conquer any situation that comes our way.
Be inspired as you make an intentional effort to get dressed for success, each and every day!
Wilna was born and raised in South Africa but later moved to Canada where she is now enjoying her dual citizenship journey! She is passionate to share her story as a former Lesbian and offers seminars on the topic of homosexuality, in order to help people understand, learn and show more love and compassion towards the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community. Wilna also facilitates a support group for parents/family and friends of gay loved ones. Outside of her passion and call to speak and teach, she is also a business owner. Though the rest of her family is living in South Africa, she considers her two dogs, Daisy and Thursdae, a part of her family. To find out more about Wilna including her primary speaking topics, Visit her website: Wilna Van Beek.
- To find out more about WJOF and our upcoming seminar on April 4-5 2014, "Sharing the Journey" with bios of all our recommended speakers, click here: WJOF/STJ.
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