Topic: The Sure Armour II [Open Heavens 8th June 2018, Friday Daily Devotional]
Memorise: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: – Ephesians 6:17
Read: 2 Corinthians 6:1-7 (KJV)
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
Bible in One Year: 1 Kings 22, Acts 7:44-8:3
MESSAGE:
Yesterday we examined truth and righteousness as components of the sure armour of God. Today, our memory verse introduces two more components of this armour: Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit.
SALVATION
Our complete victory against the enemy begins and ends with the salvation of our souls. Our warfare with the kingdom of darkness started in the Garden of Eden, where the devil stole the mandate to rule over this world from Adam. Eve chose to believe the devil’s lie and Adam disobeyed God by yielding to the devil. Adam sold himself and by extension his descendants to the enemy when he sinned against his Maker. This is the reason why Jesus always addressed the problem of sin first before addressing any other problem confronting those who came to Him. Before Jesus healed the man sick of the palsy in Luke 5:17-26, He said to him:
“Man, thy sins are forgiven thee” Luke 5:20b
Jesus is still addressing the issue of sin first today. This is the reason why I know that as you surrender your life to Jesus today, the helmet of salvation will be your heritage, and you will have victory over your tormentors in Jesus’ Name.
SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. It is an offensive weapon with which we attack the enemy, and it is powerful through God to the pulling down of the devil’s strongholds. Hear what the Holy Spirit says in Hebrews 4:12 about the power that is inherent in God’s word:
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Today, people short-change themselves by not taking heed to the word of God. I assume that people who trivialise the word of God don’t know that it is the powerful attacking piece of our sure armour with which we obtain victory. Note that it is the word of God that you respect that will work for you when you apply it in spiritual warfare. I encourage you therefore to let the word of God dwell in you richly. Meditate on it and make it a part of you.
Prayer Point: Father, grant me grace to continually treasure and uphold the salvation of my soul, and help me to live by Your word daily in Jesus’ Name.
If you missed yesterday devotional, please click HERE to read Open Heavens 7 June 2018 – The Sure Armour I
Hymn 15: Nearer My God To Thee
1. Nearer, my God to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be.
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!
2. Though like the wanderer,
The sun gone down.
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!
3. There let the way appear
Steps unto heaven;
All that Thou send’st to me
In mercy given:
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!
4. Then, with my waking thoughts
Bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I’ll raise
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
Flatimes Notice Board: Until you are born again, God ever abiding presence will never be with you. You must be born again to enjoy continuous victory. Please say the displayed prayer below in faith:
Lord Jesus, come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.
If you just prayed the prayer of salvation online please send your testimonies and prayer request to contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
