People of God,
We must realize that the enemy is out to consume us. The enemy wants to kill, steal, and destroy you (John 10:10). Every step you make, you press/push/war to get in the position: towards God. The enemy is trying to stack odds against you to steal your motivation, to destroy your diligence in seeking God. The enemy is coming up with ways to attack you; He doesn’t sleep, either.
It can be compared to a game. In order to win the game, you must read the instructions, let the instructions teach you how to win and then take those instructions (PRINCIPLES OF DEFENSE – through God’s Word and His communication, by way of The Holy Spirit) and use them to beat the enemy.
All Hell breaks loose when you’re determined to do God’s Will because you want, you desire to do what He wants for you to do. It is hard.
obstacle = stronghold < God’s Defense: The Whole Armor of God
Life is hard. Life doesn’t have to be walked through without God. God wants to show you that He is with you, beside you, behind you and SURROUNDS you. He has a shield of protection that you can walk in, if you are willing to let God lead, guide, and direct you towards Him. Allow God in and let Him take the wheel. Don’t try to copilot. You don’t have to be suicidal, stressed-out, depressed, and feeling like there is no hope; THERE IS HOPE IN GOD!
How we get through life, how we get to enjoy life more and reduce stress is by saying no to calamity, distress is to spend the majority of our time listening to God and less of our time listening to the situation. Isaiah 43:2 Listening to God = protection > enemy’s attacks
obstacle = stronghold < God’s Defense: The Whole Armor of God
When you realize that a stronghold and an obstacle are both one in the same, meaning they both cause distraction, they both can bring about feelings of stress and anxiety. Both can be DEMOLISHED, DESTROYED! Anything that raises up against God can be DEMOLISHED, DESTROYED, BUT ONLY IN JESUS NAME. HIS AUTHORITY BREAKS THE CURSE & CURES!
So then The Bible – The Word of God does two things: instruct us and equips us.
What are you wearing for protection? We need to put on the whole Armor of God so that we can beat the enemy, so that we know before the enemy strikes! We are warned by God a lot of times but we ignore it because of our fleshly desires.
obstacle = stronghold < God’s Defense: The Whole Armor of God
When you realize that what you are facing, whatever the problem, it is not the person or thing, it is the enemy. The more we grow in the knowledge, the admonition of God, and we die more to sin, we can live more Godly (Holy) lives.
obstacle = stronghold < God’s Defense: The Whole Armor of God
Today’s Scriptures:
Ephesians 6:10-18 GW | God’s Word Translation
Finally, receive your power from the Lord and from hs mighty strength. 11 Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil’s strategies. 12 This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. 13 For this reason, take up all the armor that God supplies. Then you will be able to take a stand during these evil days.[a] Once you have overcome all obstacles, you will be able to stand your ground.
14 So then, take your stand! Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. Put on God’s approval as your breastplate. 15 Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace. 16 In addition to all these, take the Christian faith as your shield. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Also take salvation as your helmet and God’s word as the sword that the Spirit supplies.
18 Pray in the Spirit[b] in every situation. Use every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert. Use every kind of effort and make every kind of request for all of God’s people.
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV | English Standard Version
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 KJV | King James Version
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Walking Towards Christ 