Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 The Church has to be on the watch

 
 EPHESIANS 6:10-20
VS 10.   Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils’ schemes.
  Ephesus was the most important city in Asia Minor, and they were under the influence of the pagan church. Through the letter to Ephesians Paul explains the high goals God has for the church and the different steps one has to execute for its further fulfillment. God displays His manifold wisdom to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. Christian existence though we live on this earth is not merely one on this earth alone, but it receives its meaning and significance from heaven where Christ is exalted at the right hand of the God. The Lord gives gifts to the members of the church to resist the devil and destroy his evil schemes. God enables His church to promote healthy living, unity, and maturity and provide the tools and right equipment. He provides six things as armors of God to the Christian for his defense, to protect himself and be strong and claim ultimate victory over Satan in the spiritual warfare that he may face during his sojourn journey in this world.                                       
                      Prayer is the most powerful weapon in this regard and can strengthen us in our conflicts. Three armors God says you shall be ready with always to fight the devil and three you shall take with you as needed to confront the devil and defeat him. Stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around waist, with the breast plate of righteousness and our feet filled with readiness with the spirit of peace. In addition, Paul exhorts the church to take the armors, shield of faith that can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. He wants the church to be on motion and be on vigil all the time. Pray incessantly for everything to win our wars. Our struggles and fights in this world are not against our fellow humans that are God’s creation which many of us falsely fight but it shall be against the true enemy. The true enemy is the powers of darkness and the evil spiritual forces, I pet 5: 8 reads: Be soberminded and be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour “.
These are the end times we live in, and we must be very watchful and vigilant. As we are awaiting the return of our Lord Let us wear the armors of God and be good soldiers of Him to win the battle. Amen.
 
Prayer
Lord helps us and strengthen us each day to fight the battle that we must face   against the devil. In Jesus’s name we pray Amen.

Thought for the day:
Our fight is not against the flesh and blood but against the powers of darkness in the world

Dr. Thomas K. Jose
  The Mar Thoma Church Staten Island.

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