What Scripture Are You Standing On?

The year 2021 is almost over. At the end of 2020 I remember people posting things like I can't wait for 2021, or I'll be glad when 2020 is over. I put a post on my social media saying be careful what you ask for because God is not done with is yet. Was that ever so true? As I write this post there is yet another variant on the horizon that the government is claiming to be the deadliest one yet. Everyone thought that changing presidents would change the world. 2021 brought the same misery to some people that 2020 did, if not worse. The president had people under a strong delusion that he would be a better choice than his predecessor. Deaths, chain supply issues, homelessness, uptick in crimes, rising costs for everything, false security in the housing and stock markets, open borders and division among families, races, religions are what have defined the past 6 to 9 months. Just because you haven't been affected in a major way doesn't mean it hasn't affected you. Even those people that have good paying jobs are still spending more to feed their families, purchase household goods, paying more for rent, clothes, etc. You don't have to live in Texas to be affected by all these individuals migrating to the states. They are going to multiple areas throughout the United States. I don't even want to get started with this vaccine mess. My personal thought are that this is a scam, a mind control tactic, manipulation of the masses or whatever you want to call it. How many times do you have to get vaccinated against the same virus? I need for all of my people to wake up to what is happening. If you haven't read the book of Revelation please do so. It can be confusing but there are multiple versions of the Bible out there now that can clarify it for you. I've read it a couple of times, had it read to me through audio and I'm going to read it again. This season that we have been in now for almost 2 years have many thinking we were in Revelation. I listen to many different preachers and prophets. I like to get different perspectives from people on things that are going. I also rely on what the Lord reveals to me through his Holy Spirit. I was warned a year ago that something would be happening. I didn't know what it was or when it would happen. The Lord just told me I needed to basically prepare myself because my children would need me. Many things have transpired since then but I now truly believe that this moment we are coming upon is going to be the true test for all those that have been called to get closer to Him. It's not to say that some were called and some weren't because the Holy Spirit has been moving across this world for a while now. It's whether or not you have the eyes to see and the ears to hear. The signs have been and are everywhere. Just like the Holy Spirit has been moving across this world, so has the antichrist spirit. The latter has become more and more prevalent in his activity because he knows his time is short. Once again, the goal is to turn as many people away from God before He returns. It has been and always will be about power and control for the antichrist and the antichrist spirit that is moving as well.

As I move along in the new venture of blogging and discussing spiritual issues and ways we can move in our desire to walk with God and ultimately sit beside Him in Heaven, one thing is clear. We are in spiritual warfare. When in spiritual warfare you have to first prepare for battle. Just as in a physical war, you prepare for battle mentally and physically. There's a section in the Bible that is about the Armor of God. Whenever you are getting ready to go into battle spiritually, you need that armor for protection. The book of Ephesians, Chapter 6, Verses 10 - 18 describe the actions we are to take as spirit filled believers that are in spiritual warfare.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For 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.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Pay special attention to verse 12 and apply it to what we are dealing with in the present time. If it seems like wickedness and darkness are running rampant right now, it's because it is. This is just a taste of what it will be like because God is still here with us. The church is still restraining full blown chaos from taking over. That statement is a debatable topic for a few reasons. One is that there are many physical churches right now where God is not present, sin is running rampant in the church, preachers are put on pedestals and false doctrine is being taught. When I say the church is restraining, I mean the believers in this world that know God is coming back. We are the church. The church resides in us. The physical building is a place for believers and non-believers alike to gather together and worship and praise Him. The church is the place where the Holy Spirit can move and touch multiple people at one time. We, the people, the church are the restraint at this time. Once the church is removed from this world there will be nothing to stop the antichrist from pushing forward with the agenda. Another reason this topic is debatable is because there are people that feel like the church will still be here once wickedness and darkness take over completely. I will say this and do your own research. I'm just a messenger. There will be a great falling away of the church. The world will turn their back on God. It is called apostasy, a falling away, a withdrawal, a defection. Biblically speaking, it will be a withdrawal from faith and trust in God. This will pave the way for the antichrist. Right now we are battling with things that we can't see. That's why it is so important that you know your Bible. You have a family member acting out, a child that's losing their mind and soul to the world, increase in murders, robberies, all out lawlessness, schools trying to teach elementary children it's ok to choose their sex, homosexuality being made acceptable and even pushed on society, transgender issues, pedophilia, sex trafficking, you name it. All of these issues can be traced to spiritual wickedness in high places and rulers of darkness. We have to be prepared to battle things that we can't see.

Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

You may be wondering what loins are, what girt is, right? Loins is the body's midsection, the hips and lower back. Roman soldiers would grab their long garments and tuck them in around their waist. Then they would tighten their belt with the garments tucked in to show when they were ready for battle. The metaphor to this is that we are to take everything that is keeping us from living a life pleasing to the Lord and reign it in. Whatever it is, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, cussing, fornication, etc. The list goes on and on. This scripture can be hard for us to do as new followers. It requires us to be honest with ourselves and how we live our lives in public and in private. The devil will put us in a position where we battle our fleshly desires daily. We put ourselves in that position too. Therefore, our flesh must die daily. Living righteous can be achieved more easily when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. If you are unsure if you are living righteous, just ask yourself would the Lord be pleased with you if it were judgment day? There's no other way I can say it. I have to ask myself this question regularly and sometimes the answer is no. We have to be honest with self and God, even though God knows already. The Lord knows our heart. Ask Him to strengthen you in areas where you are weak.

Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace

What is shod? Shod means to bind under one's feet as in to tie, wind, knit or be at one with. Romans soldiers shoes were heavy and studded with hobnails, which were heavy to give a secure foothold. In this scripture, it means the stability you receive by having a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is an inner stability that you possess by simply knowing that He is the truth and the light. When you have a relationship with God, you learn to recognize His voice over all others. He communicates with us in many different forms. You get to know Him and He can rest in you.

Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, where-with ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

The Roman soldier's shield was composed of multiple layers of thick animal hide that had been tightly woven together. Usually, six layers of animal hide were specially tanned, and were woven together so tightly that they became nearly as strong as steel. In battle they had to trust the woven shield would protect them. It had a metal knob in the center that would give the enemy a push before being attacked. Spiritually, it means believing in God's truth and applying it to your life. Having faith can give the enemy the push it needs to ward off attacks. We love to say that we have faith, but when it really comes down to trusting God, we tend to try fix problems on our own. Spiritual issues can only be resolved in the spiritual realm.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

This scripture together consists of two pieces that comprise the remaining physical pieces to the armor. On is the helmet of salvation. The helmet in the Roman days was used as protection for the head. Without it you could die if struck. Spiritually, salvation means deliverance from sin and its consequences. It is brought about by faith in Christ. We know that sin ultimately leads to death physically, spiritually or both if deliverance doesn't occur. We reap the benefits of being secure in our beliefs in the form of blessings, status and identity.

The sword of the Spirit, the Bible is the one thing that gives us the words we need to attack our enemy. The penetration of the sword is what ultimately killed the enemy when the Romans battled back in the day. Our sword, the Bible, is what kills the attacks sent by Satan. Not just the book, but the word in it. I know you have been in someone's house where the bible is sitting on the table opened up probably mid-way. I had one the same way in my own house. It does us no good as a weapon if we don't read it and apply the scriptures to our daily life. The Bible should be read daily. Find a way to spend 30 minutes studying and reading God's word. If not 30, then 15. There are also several apps that you can download to help you come up with a reading plan.

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

The last and most important piece to the spiritual armor of God is prayer. Prayer is the activator for all the other pieces mentioned above. Without prayer the armor does not work. Not just any prayers will do. Supplication is a form of prayer where you are humbly asking God for help. Then, you have trust that your prayers are already answered.

The Armor of God is always a great go to set of verses that set the tone and foundation for any household and/or situation you are dealing with. Remember most if not all battles we encounter can always be tied back to something spiritual going on. It doesn't have to be this one but find you a scripture in the Bible that works for you and your family. Believe it. Stand firm on that scripture. Don't waver from it. Make sure you have all the other pieces of armor then ACTIVATE it.

Lastly, if you want to study The Armor of God more in depth Priscilla Shirer has bible study lessons along with an ebook to accompany it. The link is below.

Armor of God Bible Study | Priscilla Shirer | Lifeway

When you find your scripture put it everywhere throughout your home where you will see it and be reminded constantly. This season especially and all that come after it you need to be covered by the word of God at all times. Once you come out from under that umbrella of protection you are opening yourself up to the attack of the enemy. Stay covered and be blessed. Consider becoming a disciple for Jesus Christ. Satan is building his army on Earth. Jesus needs an army too on Earth.