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THE WORD OF GOD WORLD OUTREACH

You Must Ask for Eternal Life... Matthew 21:22 - And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive. John 16:24 - Here to have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy…

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Created by Bishop Dr. Joshua Smith Oct 18, 2011 at 3:47am. Last updated by Bishop Dr. Joshua Smith Mar 21, 2014.

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Meeting You Where You Are?

Daily Bible Verse & Prayer

Today's Verse - Ephesians 6:12

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.

—Ephesians 6:12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The battle we face is not a physical one. It is not one against other people, even if they hold us as enemies. Our battle is part of our war with powers that we cannot easily see, yet which are powerful and pervasive. We must not dismiss this spiritual battle as an imaginary, irrelevant, or outdated. Just as clearly as Satan was crouching at Cain's door, desiring to have him, so he crouches at our door as well (Genesis 4:7). Just as the evil one tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13), he will use his demonic forces of evil to do all he can to defeat, destroy, or corrupt us personally. We must take this war seriously and recognize the power of our evil foe. However, we must not fear this battle or the evil one behind it. We shared in Jesus' ultimate victory over the evil one and his minions on the cross and through his resurrection when we were baptized in faith and raised with him in the power of God (Colossians 2:12-15). Our lives are now hidden with Christ in God, and we will share in his glorious victory when he returns (Colossians 3:1-4). Until then, let's recognize the struggle we face and enter that battle to win in the name of Christ Jesus our LORD!

My Prayer...

Father, forgive me for the times I have not taken the threat of demonic powers and the evil one seriously. Please give me a holy revulsion for anything unholy, ungodly, or wicked. Please awaken me, as I am determined not to let the evil one or his influences deceive me. Deliver me from the power of the evil, and the evil one. In the mighty name of Jesus, I confidently pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Ephesians 6:11

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

—Ephesians 6:11

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We often focus only on the things we like, are good at doing, or are interested in accomplishing. God wants us to use every piece of his spiritual armor for every situation where it is needed. He wants us to be disciplined and grow in areas of our spiritual weakness, as well as in those we do not find particularly exciting or interesting. Our evil opponent is crafty and will attack us in the areas of our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, the areas we neglect to bring under the Lordship of Christ. So let's not just commit to being diligent in the areas of our interests and strengths, but especially hone in those areas where we are not strong and don't usually pay attention. Let's put on the FULL armor of God and take our stand against the evil one and his schemes.

My Prayer...

Father, strengthen me in the areas where I am most vulnerable to sin because of my lethargy and neglect. Please open my eyes to see my areas of weakness and vulnerability. Rekindle my heart to passionately seek after your holiness as I strive to bring all of my life under the lordship of my Savior, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Ephesians 6:10

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

—Ephesians 6:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Some of our strength in fighting evil comes from the spiritual experiences in our past, the encouragement of other believers, and our knowledge of the truth from Scripture. Ultimately, however, our power comes from God's mighty power, the Holy Spirit. Paul uses his letter to the Ephesians to remind Christians that the power of the Holy Spirit, which raised Jesus from the dead, is at work in us now (Ephesians 1:17-20, 3:14-16). Through the Spirit's power at work in us, God can do much more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21). As we put on our spiritual armor and dedicate ourselves to spiritual discipline, God blesses us with his power and his might to live holy lives of courage and grace. God enables us to "be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power"!

My Prayer...

O LORD God Almighty, my Abba Father and loving Shepherd, strengthen me with your might and grace so that I can withstand the attacks and temptations of the evil one. In Jesus' name, I ask for the might of the Holy Spirit to be at work in me for your glory. Amen.

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