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. 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 ofr all the saints. --Ephesians 6:13-18
It is hard to imagine what war is really like until you are in the middle of it, I suppose. But it is also possible to be clueless that we are even at war. Just think about our day to day life. I don't think many if any of the people who were fighting over the $1.33 cheap towels on black Friday at Walmart had the war of the Middle East on their mind...or even the man who cut me off this morning in car line. It is possible for so many of us to not even realize that our country is at war. Even more sadly so, it is possible for us as Christians to not even realize there is a war going on right now for the souls of those around us.
Paul urges us to be prepared....to be alert...to put on our armor and get in the thick of things. There is a very real adversary that is out to steal, kill and destroy. But we have an amazing ally that has already won the war. We must continue to get dirty in the battle as we struggle face to face with our enemy, but we don't need to struggle unprepared or in vain. We must put on the full armor of God.
Re-read the scripture this week and be prepared for battle! Ephesians 6:10-24; 1 Peter 5:8-9
Announcements:
Christmas Party-Friday, Dec. 10th 6:15-8:15pm-see previous post concerning childcare
Ministry Needs:
- Coaches needed for Upward Basketball (14) & Cheerleading(2)
-Training session on Tuesday @ 6:30pm @ the church-for more information contact Sherrie Forehand at the church - Children's Harbor Hygiene kits-be collecting travel size hyiene products for kits we will put together in February
- Beginning meals for the Mitchell family this week. A sign up will be developed on takethemameal.com
Praises/Prayer Requests:
- Krista-had to take Taylor to Children's for G.I. issues
- Jason & Ashley--PRAISE-expecting 3rd baby on July 9th
- Michael-traveling & Emily home with the kids
- Angela-cousin had sinus surgery complications. Pray for healthy recovery.
- Brenda-continue to pray for Jim's physical strenght & spiritual stamina. Praise he was able to take 3rd round of treatment this past week.
- Scott-Grandaddy in rehab center has now developed pneumonia
- Kelly Moates-Juanita Dorr (Mam-Maw). She fell and is having hip replacement surgery at St. Vincent's. She is 90, but active and very together mentally! She still lives on her own as well. Supposedly, the orthopedic surgeon has done work on Mark Ingram & Julio Jones...so I assume he has some good skills! Pray for wisdom for Dr. Cain. Pray also for the surgery, her recovery, and my parents as they assist her in her needs in the weeks & months to come
