Focus

Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.

---

Read

Ephesians 6:10-17 (NRSV)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench 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.

---

Reflect

I like to grow roses. Usually I put on long sleeves, a hat, overalls, and gloves when I work with them, but sometimes I get hot and may remove some of my protective garb. Invariably, I will then see something else that needs attention and find myself bleeding from the thorns. Wearing all of those layers of protective clothing doesn’t do any good if I take off some of it and then go back to tending the roses.

The same holds true for us as Christians. When people first become Christians, they will make time to read the Bible and pray. They try really hard to clean up their lives and walk righteously. Eventually, a few little white lies may slip into their lives and other things begin to consume the time set aside for prayer and Bible study. Before long, the armor is weakened because not all of the pieces are being used. Suddenly the person is under attack, and perhaps wounded. We not only have to put on the whole armor of God, but we have to leave it on.

---

Pray

All-powerful God, thank you for giving us the tools we need to withstand the forces of evil. Forgive us when we fail to use all of the tools and find ourselves weakened and unable to proclaim your word. Thank you, God, for always being with us and protecting us. Amen.

Go with God.