Tag: Ephesians

How many will put on the full armor of God? How many will stand in the gap presenting a pure and uncompromised gospel? These two questions are some of the important questions a Christian can ask of themselves.

Some use the excuse they do not have the gift of evangelism. Some will say they are not educated enough or can speak clearly. They do not have the wisdom or discerning spirit to know what to say. Others will hire a pastor and pay him to do all the spiritual work in their lives.

All the excuse makers will not be a true witness for Jesus and the kingdom of God. Each individual must be ready at all times to share the gospel. Praying for opportunities to share the gospel and watch once more the miracle of salvation.

Dear Lord: Give me the opportunity to share the gospel often. To once again see you place someone under conviction. Performing the miracle of salvation once more that I may have one more brother or sister in Christ.

In Jesus name I pray amen.

Ephesians 6:20 (KJV)
^ For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

            Paul was already in prison for sharing the gospel. He was awaiting his own execution. Even these dire circumstances could not stop him from sharing the gospel.

Today some Christians will not share the gospel because someone will speak harshly to them. Some worry that they may lose a friend. Is it better to be yelled at or lose a friend?  Then to lose someone we know for all eternity. We need to put our own inconveniencies aside in order to give each individual the opportunity to hear the gospel.

Paul never stopped sharing the gospel and we need to follow his example.

Dear Lord: Give me opportunities to share the gospel. I know the outcome is in your hands. Just give me the wisdom and courage to share a pure and uncompromised gospel.

In Jesus name I pray amen.

Ephesians 6:19 (KJV)
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

            As Paul is closing his epistle to the Ephesians church, he asks to have the power to boldly proclaim the gospel. That he be able to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.

We are instructed in the great commission Mathew 28: 18-20 to carry this message, just as Paul did, to all nations. In carrying this message we must begin where we are. If we as Christians cannot share Jesus in our own neighborhood, how can we expect to reach the world? We must begin at home and then continue in our town, our state, our country, and finally the world.

If we have donned the full armor of God and have prayed. We will have the strength and courage to carry out the great task God has given us. To be able to reach the entire world so every individual will hear the gospel.

Dear Lord: Give the strength and courage to complete my part of the great commission. Show me what I must do to further your work here on earth. Put me where I am most needed and once again let me see the miracle salvation is some sinner’s life.

In Jesus name I pray amen.

Ephesians 6:18 (KJV)
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

          As we pray we must pray for all the saints. Praying for everyone who is a member of the army of God, for all who have donned the armor and are willing to stand in the gap.

We especially need to pray for those who are in leadership. Especially the pastors that lead individual groups, that they have the wisdom and knowledge to lead the charge.

Without the centurions to lead the one hundred the roman army would have been useless. The same is true of God’s army without a pastor and his leadership the individual church can become useless.

Dear Lord: Anoint the men you have called out to lead individual churches. Give them the wisdom to be able to teach and lead your children. Uniting all who believe in him under the one banner of the true God.

In Jesus name I pray amen. 

 

Ephesians 6:18 (KJV)
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The Christian soldier must always be praying. Praying continuously in spirit in order to be able to follow God’s will and not his own.

The soldier must remember prayer is a dialogue not a monologue. Being a dialogue the soldier must take the time to listen to the still small voice that comes from God himself.

If the soldier does not pray continuously he will be unable to don the armor of God and will be useless in spiritual battles. So stayed prayed up always ready to move forward.

Dear Lord: I pray that I have the strength and courage to pray unceasingly. Praying that your will be done and the wisdom to listen for your leadership.

In Jesus name I pray Amen.   

 

Ephesians 6:17 (KJV)
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

            The Roman soldier would be armed with a double edged short sword. His sword would be kept razor sharp always cleaned and ready for use at a moment’s notice.

The Christians soldiers’ sword is the sword of the spirit, the bible the very word of God. The only offensive weapon the Christian soldier has is his sword. The sword must always be kept at the ready. In order to keep his sword sharp the bible needs to read daily. Verses need to be memorized so they can be recalled as necessary when we are in combat with the forces of darkness.

Dear Lord: Give me the wisdom to understand your word. The only weapon I have to fight the prince of darkness. Help me to keep your words in my heart so I will always be ready for combat.

In Jesus name I pray amen.

 

Ephesians 6:17 (KJV)
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

 

The helmet covered the head and the mind of the soldier. The head, of course, was the core of a soldier’s power to wage war. His thinking ability was the most important factor in determining his victory or defeat. Therefore, the soldier needed a helmet to protect his head and mind.

The helmet of salvation protects the Christians mind so he can focus on Jesus Christ, giving the Christian an opportunity to share the good news of eternal life with the world. That all are sinners and Jesus went to the cross to die in our place, as a perfect blood sacrifice for our sins. He rose from the dead to sit at the right hand of the father to welcome all who accept him as their lord and savior.

 

Dear Lord: Having donned the helmet of salvation give me the opportunity to share the gospel with others. So they too can don their helmet, having their mind protected so they can also go forward and share the gospel. With a lost and dying world.

In Jesus name I pray amen.

Ephesians 6:16 (KJV)
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

            The shield of the roman soldier was not a small round shield. But a large oval shield he could actually stand behind for protection. It was layered with metal to keep it from burning. The enemy would throw small lead tipped darts that where covered in pitch and set on fire. The shield would protect the soldier from these projectiles.

The shield of faith will protect us from the wicked one. Faith will protect us from the fiery darts of uncertainty, uncertainty about our salvation, our calling, and all the aspects of our Christian walk. As written in psalms God will be our shield, Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield Psalm 33:20 (ESV) ²⁰

Faith in God and his son Jesus will give each believer all the protection they need to fight off the fiery darts thrown at them. Giving us more opportunities to share the gospel and be positive Christian witness in the world today.

 

Dear Lord: Strengthen my faith so I can be protected from uncertainty. Give me the wisdom to understand that as one of your children you will provide the shield to protect me as I go about your work.

In Jesus name I pray amen.

 

Ephesians 6:15 (KJV)
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

 The Roman sandals were made with nails that gripped the ground firmly even when it was sloping or slippery. The sign of the Christian soldier is readiness—a readiness to march and to bear witness to the gospel. Wherever the Christian soldier’s feet take him, he shares the gospel that can firmly ground a world reeling under the weight of desperate need and conflict.

Some Christians will say they do not have the gift of evangelism. They feel that they do not have to share the gospel. Praying for others to complete the work each Christian is commanded to perform in the great commission presented in Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 28:19-20). Each of us have to prepared to share our faith if we refuse souls will be lost and are effectiveness as  a positive witness to the world.

 
Dear Lord: Give me the courage to stand boldly in my sandals of the gospel. So I can share the good news of what was done for every sinner centuries ago. Give me the opportunity to see the miracle of salvation one more time.

In Jesus name I pray amen.

Ephesians 6:14 (KJV)
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

 

The breast plate of the Roman soldier covered him from the neck down to his thighs. The breast plate protected all of the soldier’s vital organs, especially the heart.

The breast plate of righteousness the Christian soldier is told to don protects the heart. The very dwelling place of the spirit of God. So what we actual put on is righteousness of Jesus himself. The virtue, morality, justice, decency, honesty, and the list could go on. All of these things we must display in our lives if we are to be protected from the evil one and be a viable witness for Jesus.

 

Dear Lord: Help me daily to put on the breast plate of righteousness. So I will be well protected in the spiritual battles that I will face daily. Let me be a shining example of how righteous living can further the cause of Christ.

In Jesus name I pray amen.