Courage for Your Preparation Process

DO YOU HAVE THE COURAGE?

Destiny can be a dangerous road, but you don't have to walk it alone.

I don't have to walk it alone.

WE don't have to walk it alone.

God has our back.

That does not mean we ignore the potential for trouble awaiting us. It means with Him we can be prepared for it.

So, what does prep work with Christ look like?

Preparation and Intimacy

Between the turmoil in our world, the turmoil in our communities, and the turmoil in our own homes many (if not most of us) in these last days are feeling especially vulnerable.

We are oversaturated.

Our sensitivities are heightened.

Our fight or flight response has been activated. The more we try to walk the Way, the more triggered we become.

Maybe you are not just in your feelings. Maybe you are on the path of preparation.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. ~Ephesians 6:12, Amplified Bible

Destiny can be a dangerous road, but you don't have to walk it alone.

Every good general wants his troops - all his troops - to come home victorious but he cannot stand and fight for every man. Instead, he assesses the situation and gifts them with the best in protection, armor, and weaponry.

No one knows what you need to get through this better than Christ. One of the most loving, most intimate gifts your God can give you in this season is his best to protect and prepare you.

Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. ~Ephesians 6:13 AMP

Getting Ready to Rumble

Did you know God has exactly what you need when you need it?

THE BELT OF TRUTH

Heaven not only knows the inches around your waist. It knows the truth about you...

So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist... ~ Ephesians 6:14 AMP

The King James version says having your loins girt, a common phrase of the times indicating an urgent call to get ready for immediate action and event.

As you walk the Way, embracing God's truth about you are at your core is your first line of defense.

You are a child of the Most High God. No one can snatch you from the Master's hand.

THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

... and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart)... ~ Ephesians 6:14b AMP

One of the first things the enemy tries to attack first is the purity of our intentions. God knows your heart. He will shut down hell itself to protect the purity of your intentions.

THE GOSPEL OF PEACE

... and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace..... ~Ephesians 6:15, New International Version

I have good news. Jesus is near, and his peace is with Him.

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] ~John 14:27 AMP

There is a battle-tested and victory-won assurance, a courage, a stamina, a calm that covers us when we stand flat-footed in The Master's peace.

THE SHIELD OF FAITH

Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ~Ephesians 6:16 AMP

Note the text speaks of the shield extinguishing flaming arrows. This refers to the Roman's shield made several layers of leather. When doused in water, the shield would put out the fiery missiles thrown by the enemy.

Some issues like water to a flame have to be extinguished. Squashed. Shut all the way down.

That's what faith does.

THE HELMET OF SALVATION & THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ~ Ephesians 6:17, New Living Translation

Doubt.

Dismissal.

Uncertainty.

Rejection.

So many things are trying to kill our spirit, our ideas, our momentum. Salvation saves our souls from eternal death yet also saves our minds from the daily grind. To paraphrase Psalm 23, when we through the valley of the shadow of death we will fear no evil. The Good Shepherd is with us and because he is THE WORD that means we have to stay in THE WORD if we want to win.

PRAYER & PETITION

With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.

Pray. Pray for real.

When we pray like our lives depend on it (and they do), God will do what you and I can't... have our back.