I am still awake, sleep seems no more. I have not slept in days. God seems to deal with me by laying things on my heart and causing me to lose sleep.
Until all these events took place i used several online tools to help guide me in my devotional times. One is God’s Daily Word. I decided to check my email and there it was right on top and here is what today’s devotion is about ....
The Protection of His Armor
In the message "Dressed For Battle" we considered how we all face an enemy who seeks to engage us in battle each and every day. The attacks are deceptive, but extremely methodical, as the enemy tries to pull, push, and lure us off the path of following after Christ. We then saw how our best defense against such attacks is to get properly dressed by putting 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" (Ephesians 6:13).
So i picked up my bible and this is what Ephesians 6:13 says
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.
I closed my bible and i am not sure if it was pray or just a conversation with God. Because i spoke out loud and said Lord how do i do this?
I went back to my email and it said this
Psalm 27:8
"My heart says of You, 'Seek His face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek."
The armor of God is only available to those who diligently "Seek His face!"; to those who have given Him the totality of their life through a submissive faith in Jesus Christ. The armor of God is not a self-help formula to keep us protected and focused as we advance in the world's system; it's a covering of protection God provides as we enter into His presence and are reminded of His truth, faithfulness, and majesty.
Getting dressed for battle is therefore never a spiritual checklist or routine set of prayers. We receive His armor - in effect, He dresses us - as we humble ourselves and come before Him in prayer with a heart that desires to follow wherever He leads. Our Heavenly Father will never let us enter our daily battles without proper protection if we are diligent in seeking Him;
(Psalm 34:10)
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
I continued to read …
How often should we seek Him? Well, how often do we wish to be naked when the enemy attacks? Getting dressed is not a one-time Salvation event nor even just a first thing in the morning event. We must put on His armor and keep it on throughout our day by developing the priority and habit of constant communion with God; "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). His protection against the enemy comes only as we enter and remain in His presence.
The attacks will surely come, but they need not be feared if we are properly dressed. Let's learn to walk and minister in this world without ever leaving the presence of the Lord. Let's seek Him in all we do and live each moment with the protection of His armor.
Psalm 27:8
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek
The armor of God is only available to those who diligently "Seek His face!"; to those who have given Him the totality of their life through a submissive faith in Jesus Christ. The armor of God is not a self-help formula to keep us protected and focused as we advance in the world's system; it's a covering of protection God provides as we enter into His presence and are reminded of His truth, faithfulness, and majesty.
Getting dressed for battle is therefore never a spiritual checklist or routine set of prayers. We receive His armor - in effect, He dresses us - as we humble ourselves and come before Him in prayer with a heart that desires to follow wherever He leads. Our Heavenly Father will never let us enter our daily battles without proper protection if we are diligent in seeking Him; "The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing" (Psalm 34:10).
How often should we seek Him? Well, how often do we wish to be naked when the enemy attacks? Getting dressed is not a one-time Salvation event nor even just a first thing in the morning event. We must put on His armor and keep it on throughout our day by developing the priority and habit of constant communion with God; "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
His protection against the enemy comes only as we enter and remain in His presence.
The attacks will surely come, but they need not be feared if we are properly dressed. Let's learn to walk and minister in this world without ever leaving the presence of the Lord. Let's seek Him in all we do and live each moment with the protection of His armor.
After i read this i felt peace and i thought sleep would come but it didn’t instead God spoke to me and said
Pennie you are my child and I will provide you with the armor you need to defeat this battle. You have fought many battles throughout your life and each time you have come out stronger. You threatened to remove wall hangings with my words, yet they still hang there. These were gifts given to by my children to help strengthen you when need them. Go read them one at a time and then pick up my word and let fall where it may. After you have done this get on your knees before me and talk to me.
Here is what the first says …
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
I read that and then i sat down and opened my bible to where it may …
Proverbs 3, 1-35
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. 11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. 13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. 19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; 20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. 21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. 23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. 27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"-- when you now have it with you. 29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. 30 Do not accuse a man for no reason-- when he has done you no harm. 31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, 32 for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence. 33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. 34 He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. 35 The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.
I then got up and read the next one and it says …
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:1-13
1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
I did these things and I got on my knees and bowed over my couch and i closed my eyes and prayed. Lord give me the will, strength, courage and armor i need to prevail. I love you with all of my heart and soul. Forgive me for ever doubting your love. Please give me direction in what i am to do next that your will and not mine or anyone else be done.
And as peace came over my soul and joy filled my heart my precious, most wonderful loving God spoke to me and said.
Pennie I did not send you to Leakesville for Rick Dostal or Jim Reed benefit, I sent you there for the need of my children.
The way you left there is not right and I will deal those who caused this turmoil. I still want Lenny and you in Leakesville, it's where I called you. There is a purpose for you. I did not lead you to get close to my adult children and ESP my youth children. Your life experience is needed in that church. A child of mine needs to hear your testimony. Send a e-mail to those whom you are to talk to tomorrow and this what you are to say and stand firm. I feel the e-mail is private and between the parties involved please respect me for this decision.
If you haven’t read my testimony and would like you can find it on my old blog at http://southwindadventures.blogspot.com/2008/03/my-testimony.html
Good night and May God Bless you all
Happy Summer!!
Wherever Home is Parked?
