Staying In The Flow of Battle
Ephesians 6S= Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."
O= I chose verse 10 because it is the pivotal verse between the verses 1-9 and 11-24. It really is the finale of this letter to the Ephesians. Paul has been writing to them that they ARE, as the church, the physical body of Christ. The church is able to combat the enemy and all the principalities and powers that align themselves against the church. I feel like the first part of this chapter is really a prerequisite for entering into spiritual warfare. Authority and structure are an important truth in engaging in spiritual warfare. Chapter 5 ended by talking about submission and chapter 6 continues that theme. In the home and really in the work place, if we equate Paul's words about being a servant and a master with our workplace, there is a certain flow of things. This flow of submission and behavior has to do with realms of authority over us and below us. If we are going to engage in spiritual warfare we had bettersynchin sync with the powers over us and under us or we will not be able to flow in the spiritual authority that has been given to us through Christ! It is amazing that in all the times that I have looked at this passage I have never grasped that we wage warfare through our prayers and that it take all kinds of prayers to be successful in our battles.
A= Wow, this is a big one... Am I in the Flow? First, I need to ask myself, am I where I need to be with my parents? Am I giving them honor? I am being hit between the eyes on this. I see that by calling them and making sure that I consistently include them in my life that this is a way of honoring them! It is not just about loving them and respecting them. Secondly, I have to ask if I am provoking my children in any way. Do I live simply operate in a do it my way posture or am I taking the necessary time to impart into them Godly wisdom? The third series of questions that I must ask is, how am I with those who work for me and those who are over me? Am I treating them with respect and honor? Do I model, honor of my superiors, to those who work with me? And last, am I using prayer to wage warfare against the enemies of Christ? Am I learning how to do this and sticking to it? No, I have not done this very effectively at all!
P= Lord, you have laid a lot on me today! Holy Spirit, please help me put into practice calling my parents more frequently. Help me to make sure that I take the time to impart into my children your wisdom and ways. To show them what it means to submit to you by spending more time with them. Show me how to better honor those over me. And most of all help me to learn how to engage in warfare through prayer.
