Alert, Armed and Available

We know that we are in a fight and that the battle is the Lords. Where does that leave us? What are we to do?  Surely we have a part. I believe our part is to be Alert, Armed and Available.

ALERT Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8.  Satan, like a lion, can approach in stealth. We need to be on alert, keeping an eye out for him. We are called to be fearless, but not foolish.

Sometimes, a lion uses a different technique. He makes his presence known and roars to raise fear in any creature that may be around. A frightened creature can make a mistake. Instead of laying low in a place of safety, he may make a run for it making his presence known and allowing the lion to pounce. We can also be so Satan aware that we see him when he’s not there. The “devil made me do it” is sometimes, but not always true. We need to be alert to our failings and tendencies to sin.

ARMED ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² 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. ¹³ 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.

¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ 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

We are in a spiritual fight. That’s why the battle is the Lord’s. It’s also the reason why our part is to be spiritually armed. We need to keep in mind who the enemy is, the devil, and who it is not those around us covered in flesh. We are to stand in the truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation, all our protection. Our offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. 

AVAILABLE – For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesian 2:10. In sports, we say the greatest ability is availability. It’s true in the Christian walk as well. We often think how great it would be to be called into some grand and far away mission. The truth is that God places our missions right in front of us. Our response to those needs within our sight and reach can prepare us for greater challenges, but the response to immediate needs is first. There is no lack of opportunity to serve. Just be available and willing and ACT.