Dear Sisters and Brothers in Jesus the Christ,

I’ve come to recognize that when a certain verse of Scripture catches my eye, so to speak, the Spirit (of the LORD) is revealing something to my spirit. Endeavoring to follow the prompting or leading of the Holy Spirit, I stop (‘though, due to my worldly schedule, I want to finish the read), go back, and re-read the verse several times; that I may be able to discern what the Spirit is teaching my spirit. Then, in my desire to share whatsoever is appropriate with others, I ask the LORD, in Jesus’ name, to help me write with clarity and kindness for His glory. Such may occur either before or during or after praying with my mind – in a commonly known language, in addition to praying with my spirit – commonly referred to as praying in tongue (Romans 8:26-27; 1Co 14:14-15 ). The verse which caught my eye this morning speaks to steadfastness in the things gifted or given by the grace of God the Father through the finished work of His Only Begotten Son – Jesus the Anointed One and His Anointing.  

Whether in the milk or meat of God’s WORD, the imagery of putting on armor renders it very clear that sons and daughters of the Most High God are indeed involved in a war taking place in the spiritual realm or sight unseen (2Co 10:4). The verse above delineates two of the recommendations; taken together these are: ?girding oneself by tightening the belt of truth; ?putting on the breastplate of righteousness; ?taking the fiery-dart-quenching shield of faith; ?taking the helmet of salvation; ?taking the sword of the Spirit which is the God’s WORD; ? praying in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Those in Christ Jesus already have the victory (Colossians 2:15). However, the enemy of God comes to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10), he comes to take the WORD out of the mouth (Mark 4:3-20); that it may not take root in spirit toward renewal of the soul (i.e., mind, intellect, emotions) by revelation of the Holy Spirit. Hence, any form of trickery or deceit that the “father of lies” (John 8:44) can use to sway a son or daughter of God from using the victory received of the Living Word who is JESUS is strategically used. The enemy of God knows that the things given of God for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) are by faith which works by divine love (Galatians 5:6). Hence, a bait of the evil one and his cohorts is to get one to take offense, to walk in hate and un-forgiveness, and to speak contrary to the way of God. The devil sends his cohorts to entice onto a slippery slope that can eventually lead to a reprobate mind (Romans 1:20-32). When “going through” be assured that’s exactly it . . . you and I are going to the other side by the power of the Sovereign LORD God Almighty; in so doing we speak nothing contrary to the way of God. Rather we speak like the Shunammite woman who, regardless of what it looked like in the natural realm, would only say: “all is well” (2 Kings 4:8-37).

Speak the promise . . . Harriet