June 30 Armor Up! Ephesians 6:10-18
**Please continue to pray for BILLIE FAY WILSON & KIMMY WATSON MAKEPEACE**
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “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 devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Sensitivity, Awareness, Tolerance… Words that have broad applications, for our thoughts and behaviors. In 2021, there are individuals that have assumed some pseudo-leadership role in dictating what is acceptable and proper behavior, have completely ignored the standards of morality and standards of decency that are found in God’s Holy Word. Everyone seems to be so sensitive about everything! Being offended appears to be the emotion of choice. I was, recently, informed that I needed to be more tolerant of others and their behaviors, regardless of my own standards. Ironically, when I expressed my standards of living, that were in direct opposition to the behaviors of this individual, amazingly, the message of tolerance and sensitivity and inclusion were not even considered in his response to me. It is interesting, that acceptability is only a consideration, if it agrees with a godless and humanistic standard. By the way, this standard is based on emotions and flexible standards of acceptability that validate “if it feels good” standards of behavior! What has happened to “Common Sense?” Oh yeah…Common Sense implies a standard and, therefore, Common Sense has been described as “racist,” “sexist,” “homophobic,” “discriminating and opposed to the “If it feels go do it” mentality! Believers, God’s Word IS OUR STANDARD FOR LIVING AND HIS PROMISES ARE BASED ON FACT, NOT FEELINGS!!! This world and the evil one, Satan, are excited about the sad state of affairs that exists in this world! You see, when there are no standards, no morality, no Common Sense, and then everything becomes acceptable, except Common Sense, God’s Word and Patriotism and the Rule of Law! So, this is the World that we live in! Are you truly committed to living for Christ and practicing the standards for living; that are spelled out in His Word? Remember, we are commanded to “Love our Neighbors,” now, that does not mean that we must condone or validate their behaviors. Mama taught me to mind my own business and I try to do just that! I try to live peaceably with everyone; however, I refuse to compromise my standards for living, in order to validate behaviors that are opposed to my own standards and beliefs. Folks, we are faced with serious challenges and we are called to be prepared for the “Battle,” the struggle, the conflict between “Good” and “Evil!” To survive, we must “ARMOR UP,” and prepare for the struggle!!! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS ABSOLUTELY AND WITHOUT A DOUBT, YET TO BE!!