Ephesians 6:10-17

In exactly one week on a Monday morning like today most people will be celebrating with loved ones, eating lots of good food, and opening gifts, all in celebration of the birth of Christ who, one day, was born on earth. We acknowledge that there are families who will not have all or any of the above blessings. Everyone’s circumstances are different. One constant we all have as Christians is God’s Word. How each person or family celebrates is not as important as acknowledging that one day Christ was born on earth. He lived in physical form among us and experienced the same human hardships/situations that each of us experience. He died for our sins, resurrected, has gone to prepare a place for us so one day we will be able to be with Him and one day HE IS COMING BACK!

In the meantime, while we prepare for His coming, we are reminded in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians:

– “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (v.10)

^– “Put on the whole armour of God, that” we “may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (v.11)

– “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.” (v.12)

^– We desperately need to “take unto”, us “the whole armour of God, that” we “may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (v.13)

^-“Stand therefore, having” our “loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;” (v.14)

“And” our “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” (v. 15)

^-“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith” we “shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (v.16)

^-“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (v.17)

My beloved brothers and sisters, Matthew 11:15 reminds us “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” James 1:22 reiterates “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” 

As we commemorate Jesus’ birth and prepare for the new year and His second coming let us be fully prepared and fully dressed with the whole armour of God!