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Thoughts on a Monday…  

Last night the Los Angeles Rams held off the Cincinnati Bengals to secure the victory in Super Bowl 56. The Bengals opened up the second half with a 75 yard touchdown pass, and it seemed as if all the momentum was in their favor. THEN… the Rams’ defense held them to a mere 11 yards on the next 4 drives! They say that one of the best offenses is a great defense. That idea held true for the Rams last night, and it was one of the keys to their victory.  

One of the Apostle Paul's most famous passages can be found in Ephesians 6. This chapter is where he discusses the Armor of God: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish 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.  -Ephesians 6:10-17

Notice that most every piece of armor is defensive by nature, until you get to the sword of the Spirit. That is not by accident. The Lord has provided us with specific defensive measures to ensure that we can face the onslaught of trials and temptations put forth by the devil. He starts out by telling us to stand firm with the belt of truth. When putting on their armor, the Roman soldiers would start with the belt. Everything would attach to the belt, so it makes sense that it would be the first thing they would don. The same idea holds true for us. If you start with the truth, everything else will fall into place. I guess the question would now be, what is your truth?  

Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. I don’t know about you, but Jesus is most definitely my truth! Through Him, all of the other pieces of armor are fastened!  

Breastplate of Righteousness: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. -2 Corinthians 5:21  

Readiness of the Gospel of Peace: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33  

Shield of Faith: “Everything is possible for one who believes.” -Mark 9:23  

Helmet of Salvation: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. -Romans 10:9  

Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. -John1:1-5  

No matter what this world throws at us, we can be confident in knowing that we are guaranteed protection through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus overcame the world! That is the greatest defense there is!  

Have a great week!  

-Jason