Liz does the church bulletins and this week shes starting a "Armor of God" article that will go on for a few weeks. I thought you folks may enjoy.
Spiritual Warfare Putting on the Full Armor of God[/i][/b]
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[hr] [/align] [hr] [/align] 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.[/i]
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.[/i]
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.[/i]
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."[/i]
Ephesians 6:10-13[/i]
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We are in a war. I have been wondering for some time now how to begin this article. After praying about it, it seemed so simple. Just state it like it is. My friend, we are in a war. Whether you want to be in it or not, whether you are male or female, young or old, there is no way around it. We are in it. And the best thing for us to do is to open our eyes, accept it, and start to actively pick up our armor and our weapons and use them. If you do not believe me that you[/i][/b] (yes you)[/i][/b] are in this war, then believe the scriptures. Rev. 12:17 says that, "The dragon makes war against us." 1 Peter 5:8 says that "our adversary seeks to devour us." The Lord told Peter that Satan wanted to sift him like wheat (Luke 22:31).
So what are we going to do about it? Are we going to be complacent about it? No! We cannot afford to be complacent. This war affects our lives, both yours and mine. We are admonished by the Word of God to be active. 1 Tim. 1:18 admonishes to "War a good warfare." 1 Pet. 5:8 says to "Be sober and vigilant." 2 Tim. 2:4 says that we are chosen to "be a soldier." 1 Tim. 6:12 says that we are to "fight the good fight of faith" and "lay hold on eternal life." Not only that, but in Matthew 11:12 it states that we are to be "violent" about it, and "take it by force!"
This war affects every aspect of our lives. It affects our homes, our work, our school, our church, everything. But even though it affects the physical, the battle is not against flesh and blood, it is not in the physical realm, and it is not fought with physical weapons. 2 Cor. 10:3-5 says, "for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds Casting down imaginations[/b], and every high thing[/b] that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought[/b] to the obedience of Christ."[/i] Eph. 6:12 says that we wrestle against principalities, and powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places[/i]. Romans 7:23 says, "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."[/i]
Our battle is spiritual and one of the battlegrounds is in our minds. Satan is waging a war against humanity by building up strongholds of unbelief in the minds of people to keep them from receiving His truth, and in the minds of believers to try and keep them from standing firm and from living victorious lives as children of God. In these next series of studies we will see that God has not left us defenseless in this war. We will study about the weapons God has given us to use in this spiritual war so that we may be victorious. We will see how He has given us both weapons of defense and weapons of attack. Onward Christian soldiers! Let"s march, fight, and have victory in our lives in the name of Jesus!
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Matthew 4-8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Jesus never denied the devil had the power to give him all the kingdoms of the world. But to worship God alone. Jesus said, where are treasure is there will our heart be also. May the undeserved kindness of our lord and saviour all ways be our treasure.
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For ever running, but losing the race. If it were not for grace.
Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual Warfare
Casting down imaginations[/b], and every high thing[/b] that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought[/b] to the obedience of Christ."[/i] Eph. 6:12 says that we wrestle against principalities, and powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places[/i]. Romans 7:23 says, "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."[/i] 
In these next series of studies we will see that God has not left us defenseless in this war. We will study about the weapons God has given us to use in this spiritual war so that we may be victorious. We will see how He has given us both weapons of defense and weapons of attack. Onward Christian soldiers! Let"s march, fight, and have victory in our lives in the name of Jesus!
