November 11, 2019
Ephesians 6:10-13
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.

New International Version (NIV)
                 For most of my childhood, my family lived on or near military bases.  Mornings were marked by a trumpet playing Reveille and evenings by the solemn sound of Taps.  When I was five my father headed off to Southeast Asia to serve during the Vietnam war.  Every time I hear about Andrews Air Base and Ramstein Air Base, I remember that we lived in those places.  Nothing I have experienced in life approximates the challenges our soldiers faced as they left their families, fought in battles and sometimes did not return home alive.

                Paul wanted the Ephesians to know that they were in a battle.  Their struggle is not with people though, but with incredibly powerful spiritual forces.  As Martin Luther wrote, “Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing . . .”  Without God we could never win.  Thankfully, we are not without God.

                Sometimes all we can do in the middle of a conflict is stand.  Paul reminds us to stand firm with the full armor of God.  In the face of Goliath, David found out that Saul’s armor did not fit him.  But the armor of the Lord fits all of his servants.  We are armed with truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.  In other words, we have everything we need to live the Christian life today.  The lyrics to the haunting Taps melody say, “Day is done.  Gone the sun.  From the lake, from hills from the sky.  All is well.  Safely rest.  God is nigh.”  Only because God is near can we rest from our incessant striving.  God is not only near.  God is right here.
Pray with me:      
Father, we would like to claim new ground in our spiritual journey today.  Help us to defeat some besetting sin.  Empower us to pray and live in your mighty strength.  But if we can do nothing else, then at least please enable us to stand firm for something today.  When we stand let us stand firm for your Kingdom.   We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.    
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 

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