Ephesians 6:10-18 - "I Am"

There are so many people going through such tough stuff.  I can't even imagine how people who don't believe in the Lord get through tough times.  His Hope; His Light; His Strength; His Comfort are what get me through each and every day.  

It amazes me how many people in our church have dealt with loss over these last few months.  It also amazes me how many physical health issues there have been.  Issues seemed to escalate after the weekend we had Dan Bohi come in on a Saturday night and then Doc spoke on the following morning.   There were so many victories won that weekend.  So many people received a new freedom through the Holy Spirit.  God was pleased with our obedience.  The enemy was not.  God is pleased that we continue to carry on a corporate prayer time.  The enemy is not.  God is pleased that those who won victories are claiming and proclaiming.  The enemy is not.

How do we, as a corporate body, get through these trials?  I believe the key is to put on the full armor of God found in Ephesians 6…

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.

We must stay close to the Lord and listen to His direction.  He must be our Guide through trials on this earth.  The closer we draw to Him, the harder the enemy is going to fight.  The blessing of drawing closer to Him is having true peace in our lives no matter what is happening.  Some people have a hard time grasping the concept you can have peace in chaos.  I am a living testimony this is possible.  When one lives in the Lord's presence, constantly listening to Him and seeking His will, there is peace.  

God is…whatever you allow Him to be in and through you.  He can be peace, love, contentment, hope, strength, light, etc.  But in order for Him to be those things we must surrender our ways to His ways.  We must be willing to do anything He asks of us.  A life of surrender doesn't sound easy but it is.  A life of surrender to the Lord takes away the agony of decision-making.  It takes away the stress of having enough money to pay the bills.  It takes away the chaos of a crazy calendar.  When you give those things completely to the Lord, He is the One to guide every little piece of your life.  With surrender comes freedom.

I think one of the coolest things about the full armor of God is that even though it applies for standing against the enemy it draws one closer to the Lord.  When we put it on, we are living a life for the Lord through standing in His truth, His righteousness, His peace, His salvation, and on His word.  We may say we are putting on the full armor of God but until we totally surrender to Him we can't receive all that He wants to give us.  I am reminded of a song that Crowder Band sings called "I Am"….

There’s no space that His love can’t reach
There’s no place that we can’t find peace
There’s no end to Amazing Grace
Take me in with your arms spread wide
Take me in like an orphan child
Never let go, never leave my side.

This is my Resurrection Song
This is my Hallelujah Come
This is why to You I run
There’s no space that His love can’t reach
There’s no place that we can’t find peace
There’s no end to Amazing Grace

Dear Jesus,

I pray for believers to hold onto You and draw closer to You during the storm they are going through.  I am praying for so many people this morning that are going through tough times…

• the two getting cancer results today
• the family of the groom who was killed in a car accident yesterday
• the two going for medical testing this week
• the one struggling physically after surgery
• the one awaiting the doctors to decide what to do with their medical situation
• the family who have a loved one in a serious health situation
• the ones who know You yet aren't living a surrendered life for You so they haven't received Your fullness
• the families who continue to grieve the loss of the loved one
• the family who is struggling to make decisions for their mother's care
• three families who are dealing with drug addiction in their families
• many unsaved who I'm praying will turn to the Lord in the midst of the "junk" they are going through

Thank You Jesus for encouraging me in a life of surrender.  Thank You for the peace You give in trials.  Thank You for being My Hope, My Light, My Strength, My Comforter.  Amen.