MEMORISE:
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Ephesians 6:14
READ: 2 Corinthians 1:7-11
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
MESSAGE
Life is full of complex challenges which can be overwhelming. These challenges have frustrated some people to the extent that they despair of life itself. Leading them to take drugs, join the occult or even commit suicide, all in a bid to “escape” the reality of life’s problems. I pray that you will never be overwhelmed by the challenges of life in Jesus’ Name. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not say we would be immune from trials and tribulations in life (John 16:33); rather He provided us with the sure armor with which we can confront and triumph over everything the enemy throws at us. To be victorious in life, you need to first understand that life’s most devastating battles are not physical, but spiritual. Challenges that have their origin in the spirit realm have to be confronted with spiritual tools, which might appear foolish to the natural man. To help us triumph, Ephesians 6L14 introduces two important components of our armor: Truth and Righteousness.
A life of truth is a transparent and honest life that is based on the word of God, which Jesus declared to be the truth (John 17:17). Living a life of truth is powerful (2 Corinthians 4:2). Lies of any form are of the devil, and so when you live a lie, the devil will have foothold in your life with which to afflict you (John 8:44). However, if your life is based on the truth of God’s word, the devil will find nothing in your life to use against you. This was the case with our Lord Jesus Christ on the night he was betrayed. The devil came to examine His life if indeed He was without sin before going to the cross of Calvary, so that he could accuse Him of it and destroy the work of salvation before the last lap even started. In John 14:30 the Lord said:
“Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”
Thank God Jesus had truth in His armor and there was no lie in Him. Little wonder He declared to Pilate that truth was truth was the purpose of His life (John 18:37).
The breast plate of righteousness is another official part of our armor. 2 Corinthians 6:7 says:
“By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,”
Righteousness is a gift that puts us in right standing with God and produces a life of uprightness in us (Romans 5:17, Ephesians 4:24). Having received the gift of righteousness, we are empowered to do the work of righteousness (1 Corinthians 15:34, Romans 6:18). Standing upon and walking in Christ’ righteousness defeats every rage of the devil against us. Are truth and righteousness part of your armor today?
KEY POINT:
If the devil examines your life, will he find a lie that he can use as a foothold for his attack?
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 21; Acts 7:23-43
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 2: I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR
1. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
o Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
2. I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.
3. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.
4. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
5. I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.
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