Pocket full of kryptonite...

The message:
“Life requires that we put on the full ‘armor of God’ at all times so that we can be able to fight against the daily evil that is put upon us.”
Derived from Ephesians 6:13

“Daily evil”… “the evil day” (per the scripture). Wow. Sounds scary. But let’s face it—evil is out there, surrounding us each day. We live among it; breathe the same air; share the same land. Sometimes it is so close that if we aren’t fully protected we can’t even notice its differences.

So what is it exactly that I’m supposed to do to protect myself from getting swept into situations in life that are not part of God’s plan for me? And wouldn’t God sound an alarm or something to alert me of evil? “No, No! Not that way! Look over here—OVER HERE!” ….or does He already do that for me?

That’s the crazy thing about evil, I’ve learned. It doesn’t always look, sound or feel evil right off the bat. Evil is tricky—and likes to be a chameleon… “a wolf in sheep’s clothing”, if you will. So how CAN I always be keen enough to notice the differences between God’s path for me and the path of evil that only looks like God’s path?? I mean, why doesn’t God just stop Evil from trying to trick us all the time??

So after much thought…here’s what I am chewing on:

- While I believe God has the power to do anything; I also believe that when He set the world into motion He decided then to allow Fate to play a role. Things just happen. It’s life. We make our own decisions, chose our own paths…just as Adam and Eve did.

- But I don’t believe that just because Fate plays a role that we’re out here all alone destined to flounder in whatever fate brings. I believe that as things happen—the fateful ‘good’ and ‘bad’—that we are to turn to God and use our “tool-kit” to allow those situations to work for us as blessings.

- I believe that when we are utilizing all of the tools He’s given us then we can see, hear and feel more clearly. Like putting on a superhero’s power suit, we can suddenly see with x-ray vision, hear through the thickest walls and sense out danger from miles away! It’s our “armor.”

- I believe that one of the tools we have in our kit is prayer. So, yes—I believe in the awesome power of prayer. I believe that through prayer God can work miracles. Do I mean parting water or zapping cancer?? Maybe. But more so I think He works miracles all the time that we don’t recognize as miracles. A child is sick and dying. People everywhere are praying. The child dies and some think “Why didn’t God perform a miracle??” Maybe He did! Ask Him to show them to you….how many lives did that child touch, the parents survived and are healing, a group of friends was formed that may change the world with their mission…all through this situation. So was it the miracle you wanted? Maybe not. But He works miracles all the time in so many situations and because we are incapable of seeing the entirety of Him we don’t recognize them as miracles. And that’s where Faith comes in….we have to Believe Him and what He has promised: that when we come to Him and look to Him and follow Him we will receive His blessings. So just because what WE wanted to be blessed with didn’t happen does not mean that He isn’t blessing us.

And what exactly is our Armor? What’s the superhero power suit He’s provided us??

- Shield of Faith….check.

- Sword of Spirit…check. (Do I understand His messages from scripture enough to be fully armed? Can I hear His Spirit when He speaks…am I listening?)

- Bodysuit of Truth…check. (Do I function in HIS reality with HIS accuracy and precision? Because not all ‘good’ things are really HIS truth.)

- Vest of Morality & Integrity…check. (Do I live life with honor and integrity in Him?)

- Boots of Peace & Hope…check.

- Helmet of Salvation…check. (I BELIEVE that He will deliver me from evil on a daily basis.)

- Voice of Constant Prayer…check. (Do I pray ALWAYS? Do I pray to the Spirit?)

- Vision of Determination and Petition for Earthly Angels…check. (Do I purposefully seek direction and signs of His will through divine interventions? Do I believe in divine intervention and involvement? OH, YES!!  Am I looking for his "alarms" and "signals of 'DANGER'"?)

Thoughts to ponder…What can happen to me if my armor becomes weak, old, unpolished or damaged? What can happen if I forget or choose to dress myself without one of these pieces?  Can evil ways then breach my superhero powers? What is my kryptonite???  (You can bet that Evil has a pocket full of it!)