The Whole Armor of God

Usually I just post cute pictures and I don't write lengthy spiritual truths. I don't always think of amazing things to write like my sister Christy who just has that "gift". I'm not trying to imitate her at all. This may be my one and only spiritual journal. This year hasn't been easy for me with the whole homeschool thing. It's been the hardest and biggest adjustment for me, besides just being a parent. God has really been speaking to my heart about my attitude with this whole homeschool thing. I feel like this is where God wants me and what is best for my children right now. With all that said, He has been showing me how selfish I am, and how I need to change my attitude. There are many days I try to do all of this on my own but lately the past few weeks I've been waking up before the kids (which is hard, I'm not a morning person) and spending precious time with the Lord!! I have been crying out to Him and asking Him for His strength, patience, love, peace and joy(I need all of the fruits of the Spirit), to be given to me through out my day. I need to be a good example to my children, how will they see Jesus if I am being easily frustrated, stressed and impatient with them. My prayer has been just this and it has made me realize my need for Jesus not only each day but moment by moment!! I am still not perfect and never will be. I will still struggle with this as any mom does, but I am realizing more and more how important it is to be in the word and in prayer daily. Without it the day just seems more chaotic, less peaceful and full of my fleshly, selfish attitudes and ways. I understand the verse that says we need to die to self daily!! I praise God for His goodness because each morning He has just what I need in his word or in one of the many books I'm trying to read.

I have to share a little of my time this morning from the Word and then a little from a book called "A woman's walk with God", by Elizabeth George. I read from Ephesian 6:10-18, "10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.12 For we* are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.*16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.*17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.*" This is so true, the only way we put on the Whole Armor of God is by being in His word daily. He speaks to us through it. I love just reading through the letters of Paul and journaling because it speaks to my life.

I also read from the book "A woman's walk with God" this is what it said, "Oh, dear sister in Christ! You and I have just seen Jesus submit to His Father's will, to death on the cross! We cannot help but to ponder, to marvel! This is too amazing for us not pause...and to praise...and to pray! Oh, dear Jesus, thank you! But we must also look to ourselves and to our walk with the Father. How is our performance when it comes to following God's direction for our life? Speaking to myself, I know I pray so little. When something tough comes along in my day, I too often blurt out, "no way!" and go on my merry way. If something requires more than I want to give, I say, "Oh, thank you very much, but I won't be able to do that." Or I grind on, doing what I have to do on my own, in my own flesh, and by my own power, never approaching the father for His filling. I murmur, gripe, complain and fret. I do my duty...but I do it grudgingly. In times like these, I need to follow my Lord's example and go to my Garden of Gethsemane, my place of prayer. I need to turn to the Father and contend with my flesh until I realize His fruit of love, joy, and peace. I need to spend the time however long it takes! To allow Him to fill me with himself until I have all of Him and He has all of me (Empty Me, by Chris Sligh). If you and I would, for one week or even one day, fellow follower, commit ourselves to God in this way. If we would commit ourselves to rush to Him in prayer and remember His promises when we need love, when we need joy, and when we need peace, and stay there until we have it, however long it takes. We could indeed change our world for Christ. If we would commit ourselves to spend time in the garden with the Father and to pay the price Christ paid to walk by the Spirit, overcome the flesh, and thereby experience God's love, joy and peace well,, the effects are unknown, untold and limitless! Prayer in our own garden would mean Christ in us changing our hearts, marriages, families, homes, neighborhoods and our world. And He can do it! But without Him, we can do nothing. Without Him, we only go through the motions, giving so little to a husband, a child, or a world that needs him so much!!

This is good stuff and I pray that this encouraged and challenged you as it did me!! We are all on the journey together!! Praise God for the amazing promises and blessings He gives us when we follow Him!!