Being Prepared so You Are Not Tempted

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Ephesians 6:10-13 (NKJV): Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

I have been talking about this passage for the past couple of weeks. It is interesting to note that this happens to fall on the anniversary of the past couple years that I speak on this. Is it coincidence? I think not. I believe that this is something that Our Lord wants to continue to keep in our forefront.

This passage is familiar to many of us. It is part of the passage found in Ephesians 6:10-20, known as the Armor of God. This is a great reminder that we deal with spiritual enemies rather than physical.

Many people when they meet against those who seemingly come against them. Maybe they looked at them funny. Maybe they said something harsh, and it could be that it was unintentional. Maybe they were cut off in traffic or on a line. There is a number of things that we could say are people coming against us. The important thing is to remember that these are things that the enemy would use to hinder our walks.

So, why would a Pastor who writes about recovery and addictions bring this up? These are the things many would use to make an excuse to bury themselves into their addiction. When hard times come upon us, it seemingly feels like there is no escape. Sometimes these hard times seem like they will never end when in reality, they are truly short term.

This is also true for those who are family members of those who are suffering or are trying to recover. I have seen many times when someone is trying to get better that family members will walk away. These are the worse times to do so. The only exception is if their lives are in danger or there is abuse.

However, instead of walking away completely, unless the person who is suffering or recovering is the ne who does the walking, do a period of separation, prayerfully with the guidance of a Pastor and having the support of their church body. And before you go back home or have that person come back, go through a time of reconciliation, again with the guidance of a pastor.

Putting on The Armor of God means to spend time in His Word, Praying, Fasting and seeking His guidance. It means being prepared for the worse but with The Spirit guiding not your flesh. Do not react in the flesh when these times come up, instead look up and ask for His Strength. Ask for His help. Prayer is the best defense.

Next time, I will share my perspective of the Armor of God in a Christian’s walk.

Until Next Time:

Ezekiel 37:1-14 (NKJV):

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.  And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”  Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LordThus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”’” So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’  Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.  Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.  I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’”

 

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Mark is a US Army Veteran and has called Albuquerque home since 1997. He earned degrees at Albuquerque Bible College, and Faith Evangelical Seminary before attending the Shepherd’s School at Cross Christian Fellowship. He has felt a calling to start a church along Route 66, in Albuquerque to reach others for Christ. Mark has had struggles with addictions, drugs, alcohol and other things, in the past. He has recovered from them, with Christ and has a desire to help others with them as well. He has a desire to setup a recovery home in Albuquerque, or nearby, to help others in the recovery process as well as help them gain some job skills and learn to have personal interactions with others. Mark grew up in traditional churches. He did not find the true meaning of having a Relationship with Jesus. At the age of 31, after hearing a Pastor talk about this Relationship, he rededicated his life to Jesus and started on a path for ministry. You can check out Recovery In Action Ministries FaceBook Page for more info on Recovery issues. Mark has been married to his wife Rebecca since 2005. Together they have four boys between them. They minister together to help others grow in their relationships with their spouses, children and family. In his free time, Mark likes to ride motorcycles, shooting and building things.

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