Life is full of disappointments and pain. It is filled with baggage, guilt, and despair, not only to you, not only to me, but to the ones we love most.
Satan comes full force, and he attacks. He kills. He destroys.
Fiery darts come when we least expect it. They light the soul in a fire of lies. These lies burn away at the truth planted within.
The edges are sharp, and they are jagged. They lacerate, and they sting. Sometimes they cause minor scratches; sometimes they gouge deep gashes that bleed out our very life blood.
So what do you do when there are arrows flying everywhere? How do you guard your heart from the lies consuming the truth in those you love? How do you remain secure when everything else is falling apart? When hope is elusive, and grace has seemingly run in the opposite direction. What do you do when you feel helpless to help a dear one? You watch them fall face flat on the ground unawares, because of the lies that have tackled them, and your feet are planted firmly on the sidelines. What then?

“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. 

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. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” 
Ephesians 6:10-20 

I put my armor on, and I do war.

My friends, without this armor, we are helpless. Who in their right mind would run through a field with nothing but a pair of shorts and a shirt when there are flaming arrows flying everywhere? Who in their right mind would face a lion without a sword?
Where is your armor? Did you leave God in church on Sunday?
Where is your sword? Did you leave your Bible on the shelf this morning?

Brothers and sisters, we have been enlisted in the Lord’s army. We have an enemy. His name is Lucifer, and he is very real. I have seen him kill and destroy many times in my young life. We all have.
He comes masquerading as an angel of light, and when we least expect it, he pounces, often delivering a fatal blow to the faith of his victim.
Do not be foolish, friend. How can you help your fallen brothers and sisters, when you, yourself, are so vulnerable? Put your armor on, and pick up your sword.

I put my armor on, and I do war.

Now, enter into the thrown room. This is where you will find the strength to wield your sword. The words of this sword are powerful and true. They must not be wielded lightly. “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…” Pray for the right words. Pray that you will not water down the message the Lord gave you to preach. Pray that you will proclaim the mystery of the gospel fearlessly.

I put my armor on, and I do war.

Fall flat on your face and plead for grace. For your dear one. For yourself. “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”

I put my armor on, and I do war.

“With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for the Lord’s people.” Be alert. Guard your heart,  lest you fall prey to the very thing you are warring against.

I put my armor on, and I do war.

Church, are you asleep? Church, why are you not prepared for battle? Where are the prayer warriors? Where are the Gospel-carriers? Where is your armor?
Rise up! Come prepared to the battlefield. The war is waging around you, whether you like it or not. War has mercy on no one. It waits for no one. Lucifer strikes the weak, the isolated. Come prepared, friend.

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 9:35-38

If you are already one of the Lord’s workers, one of those soldiers, thank you for standing up for your King, but I plead with you not to let your guard down. Intentionally put on your armor. Intentionally wield your sword. For many have fallen in the midst of the fight.
Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send workers into His harvest field.

I put my armor on, and I do war.
How about you?