On our last day in South Florida, we headed out to Biscayne National Park, hoping to see the Miami skyline and, if we were lucky, some manatees. We were surprised by a different sight: loads of well-dressed people waiting in line and then gathering under a large tent. We had happened upon a citizenship ceremony. It was quite moving. What struck me was that these people had such intentional pursuit and acceptance of rights and responsibilities with which I'd been born, things that I had hardly ever thought about.
Something similar happens with faith. Baptized as a baby, I've had, many times, to make a more conscious acceptance of faith at different stages of my life. That's really nothing like the journey of adult converts, is it?
All of us come to the Lord on different paths, all bringing varied and important gifts. But in all our circumstances, we hold onto this same faith, this same Lord, joined as one to bring light against the darkness.
- Amy Welborn
The Armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17)
* (For protection) The helmet of Salvation, "There is Salvation in no one else (only Jesus)! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
* (For protection) The breastplate of Righteousness, "God made Him (Jesus) Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
* (Defensive weapon) The shield of Faith, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) "who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:5)
* (For protection) The belt of Truth, "Jesus said, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)
* (Offensive weapon) The sword of the Spirit, "For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
* (For protection) The shoes of the Gospel, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring Good News, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim Salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)
* (For battles) With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones and also for me (you), that speech may be given me (you) to open my (your) mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel." (Ephesians 6:18-19)
Are you ready for battles?
* Ephesians 6:11, 13, "Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the Devil...Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground." Why?
* Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens." So?
* Ephesians 6:10, "Draw your strength from the Lord and from His mighty power."
Do you know everytime you talk to others about God and His Word, you are in a battle? Just as I share in this devotion almost daily, serve at BSF or invite others to Bible studies, I prepare for battle and put on the armor of God using the only offensive weapon, God's Word :-) So everytime you pray using God's Word is an offensive weapon against the evil ones and darkness :-)
Have you ever seen someone picks up a sword to fight without first learning how to fight with a sword? Well, pick up His sword (Word) everyday and practice, practice and practice :-) Bible study is the training ground! So go find yourself a Bible study!
* https://www.bsfinternational.org (On Thursday, October 29th this website will be unavailable from 2:00PM until 4:00PM Central Time. We apologize for the inconvenience.)
* https://www.communitybiblestudy.org
* https://www.bsfinternational.org/page/onlinebsf/ (Currently all online classes are on wait list)
* https://www.wordgo.org/bsf
Lord Jesus! Thank You for Your Word :-) "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Amen! (2 Tomothy 3:16-17)
Amen
Good Morning Living Faith Family.
Jesus reminds us today that the devil is out there, gathering souls for his kingdom. Be aware, do not fall into the tray of the evil one, keep your eyes staring straight ahead on God and his truthful promises.
God, not Satan sent his only Son into this world to save our souls from the evil one and all the temptation he has in store for our lives.
But what we possess is much greater and can easily overcome these temptations.
Do you hold dear in your hear and soul and mind our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Remember, with God all things are possible. Without Jesus in our lives we are opening ourselves up for the evil ones attacks.
God, so loved us that he sent to us his only son into this world, not to condemn it, but to save it.
Today, do not worry, he is with us each step of the way in our lives. He just yearns to see our love come back to him.
Continued prayers for all of our Living Faith Family, blessed are we to be part of this family, something I do not take for granted.
Amen
Praying for Patrick...https://youtu.be/DuZPOVFcFJ4
Tim Sham/peter a sinner Linda ladybird
I will pray for you guys at Mass this morning.
My thoughts and prayers are with Patrick and Beth
please pray for the souls in purgatory and Zachary a Patricia l
Ken
Amen! Thank you Holy Father for this beautiful day and for this Gospel today. Thank you Lord for my faith, my life and for my family. Thank you Holy Father, most of all, for your great sacrifice and for the opportunity of forgiveness and reconciliation. Please Lord have mercy. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen
Thanks Amy for today's devotion. The Word of God, the Eucharist, the Bread of Life and prayers will be the means by which we can defend ourselves from the Evil One. Of course, we cannot do it alone but with Christ and his Church.
Prayer for all the living faith members.
Lord, please help our Pope Francis shield himself against the flaming arrows of the
Evil One. Help him to stay on course and uphold the dogma of our Catholic Church and not be drawn in to the the weaknesses of the times.
There is a great schism in the church today as prophesised I Fatima. This You Tube video helped clarify for me:
https://youtu.be/DAoQRw7msVo
Is dogma more important than love?
Bless the pope for his courage and ongoing prayers for guidance from our God.
AMEN! I join my prayers with those for our Pope. Shield him LORD!
AMEN! I join my prayers with those for our Pope. Shield him LORD!
AMEN!
God Bless!!!
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Amy, thank you for your devotion.
Today's scripture Reading has always been frightening to me but at the same time I draw strength, courage, hope and faith from it as it is the mystery of the gospel, the word of God our Lord, His mighty power, "The Armor of God".
"The devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pt 5:8). The devil hates us. He wants to use us to show his hatred of Jesus. His plan is to deceive, enslave, use, abuse, degrade, kill, and damn us. Therefore, “our battle is not against human forces but against the principalities and powers, the rulers of this world of darkness, the evil spirits in regions above” (Eph 6:12)."
We, our souls, are in danger, but don't be afraid because through and in Christ, using the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and prayer, "The Armor of God", We will have victory and you will see the Lord quickly crush and destroy Satan and his legion.
God Bless our Living Faith Family and continued prayers for all.