7 POWERFUL GRACES FOR LIVING: STAND STRONG

One of the greatest struggles over the last 18 months has been finding clarity in our lives.  Without clarity we do not know who to believe or what to trust.  There have been many things that made the pandemic exhausting, but this has been one of the most frustrating.  Yet, even if we begin to see the end of this latest crisis, we are still left with the uncertainty of what to believe or where do we put our trust.  Paul, in Ephesians 6:10-20, tells these early Christians to be aware because we aren’t wrestling with just the pandemic, political views, or the state of our society, but we are always wrestling with the schemes of the devil.  Many people consider Satan to be a myth created to personify evil, but how do we account for the power of corruption, the forces of injustice, or the inability of any form of government to “get it right”?  If we are not vigilant, there is a danger that we will be manipulated and conquered by the forces of evil.  What are we to do?   In our sermon series 7 Powerful Graces for Living the topic is Stand Firm. We are in a battle to share God’s goodness, love, and hope.  Our strength in found in standing firm for God power and love.  This is the source of clarity in our lives.  The Apostle Paul encourages us to put on God’s full armor to find this strength and clarity!  When we stand with God’s armor, we can stand firm against what is coming and we will find the peace and help that we need.  As you read Ephesians 6:10-20, realize that the battle belongs to the Lord and these words share with us the strength to overcome.  May you be filled with the power of faith, hope, and love as you read Ephesians 6:10-20:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (NIV)