Are You Battle-Ready?
THEME: ARE YOU BATTLE-READY?
MEMORISE:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
READ: Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
MESSAGE
The warfare of life is not like regular sports where you can win, lose or draw. In life's battles, you either win or lose, and you have to be battle-ready if you want to win. The battles of life transcend physical realm and are often more of a spiritual enterprise. This is established in today's memory verse.
Principalities and powers belong to the realm of the spirit. Moreover, the rulers of darkness of this world are wicked and dwell in high places! High places could mean palaces, government houses, councils of lawmakers, boards of industries and armed forces. Incidentally, these high places control both the political and economic landscape of territories. A classical example of principalities and powers at work in battle, unnoticed by many, is seen in Goliath's offensive against the people of Israel. On the surface, one may think that Goliath relied on his stature, mighty spear, long sword, elaborate shield and thick armour. On closer inspection however, you will realise that this was not so. 1 Samuel 17:43 says:
“And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.”
Why did he curse David by his gods? It is because Goliath, unlike many children of God, knew that victory is neither by power nor by might but by divine power! Incidentally, David himself was divinely battle-ready. He responded to Goliath's spiritual attack with his own spiritual counter-punch in 1 Samuel 17:45:
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”
Beloved, are you battle-ready to face the onslaught of the enemy this year? To be battle-ready, you need to put on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:11). The good news is that this armour is very much available to all those who know their God. As a matter of fact, Jesus Christ is the whole armour of God (Colossians 2:9). He is the Truth, the Righteousness of God, the Gospel of Peace, the Author and Finisher of our Faith, the Ark of our Salvation, and the Word of God. No wonder 1 John 5:5 says:
“Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”
Do you believe in Jesus as the Son of God, and do you have Him in your life? If you do, you will be victorious in every battle that life throws at you.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, clothe me with the glory of Your Son and grant me victory over every battle of life.
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Practical theology, as its name implies, is the study of theology in a way that is intended to make it useful or applicable. Another way of saying it is that it is the study of theology so that it can be used and is relevant to everyday concerns. One seminary describes its Practical Theology Program as "being dedicated to the practical application of theological insights" and that it "generally includes the sub-disciplines of pastoral theology, homiletics, and Christian education, among others." Another seminary sees the purpose of practical theology as helping to prepare students to translate the knowledge learned into effective ministry to people. Doing this involves both personal and family life as well as the administration and educational ministries in the church. They state that the goal of practical theology is to develop effective communicators of Scripture who have a vision for the spiritual growth of believers while being servant leaders.
Some consider practical theology to simply be a more technical name for the doctrine of the Christian life. Its emphasis is on how all the teaching of Scripture should affect the way we live today in this present world. The emphasis of practical theology is not simply to contemplate or comprehend theological doctrines but to move beyond that to applying those doctrines in everyday Christian life so that we "contribute to the world's becoming what God intends it to be."
The premise behind practical theology programs is that future Christian leaders need to be equipped not only with theological knowledge but also with the necessary professional skills to minister effectively in the modern world. Often these programs use preaching, Christian education, counseling and clinical programs to provide opportunities to equip and prepare future Christian leaders.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
• O Lord, help believers to embrace the sufficiency of Christ for them in all things and at all times.
• A man who lives alone is either always overworked, or always overfed.
• If you get the man in you right, your world will be right.
• If you sell the gift of God which should be freely given, you will be made to pay back on the day you have nothing at hand.
• "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." - Revelation 3:11
MEMORISE:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
READ: Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
MESSAGE
The warfare of life is not like regular sports where you can win, lose or draw. In life's battles, you either win or lose, and you have to be battle-ready if you want to win. The battles of life transcend physical realm and are often more of a spiritual enterprise. This is established in today's memory verse.
Principalities and powers belong to the realm of the spirit. Moreover, the rulers of darkness of this world are wicked and dwell in high places! High places could mean palaces, government houses, councils of lawmakers, boards of industries and armed forces. Incidentally, these high places control both the political and economic landscape of territories. A classical example of principalities and powers at work in battle, unnoticed by many, is seen in Goliath's offensive against the people of Israel. On the surface, one may think that Goliath relied on his stature, mighty spear, long sword, elaborate shield and thick armour. On closer inspection however, you will realise that this was not so. 1 Samuel 17:43 says:
“And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.”
Why did he curse David by his gods? It is because Goliath, unlike many children of God, knew that victory is neither by power nor by might but by divine power! Incidentally, David himself was divinely battle-ready. He responded to Goliath's spiritual attack with his own spiritual counter-punch in 1 Samuel 17:45:
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”
Beloved, are you battle-ready to face the onslaught of the enemy this year? To be battle-ready, you need to put on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:11). The good news is that this armour is very much available to all those who know their God. As a matter of fact, Jesus Christ is the whole armour of God (Colossians 2:9). He is the Truth, the Righteousness of God, the Gospel of Peace, the Author and Finisher of our Faith, the Ark of our Salvation, and the Word of God. No wonder 1 John 5:5 says:
“Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”
Do you believe in Jesus as the Son of God, and do you have Him in your life? If you do, you will be victorious in every battle that life throws at you.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, clothe me with the glory of Your Son and grant me victory over every battle of life.
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
What is practical theology?
Practical theology, as its name implies, is the study of theology in a way that is intended to make it useful or applicable. Another way of saying it is that it is the study of theology so that it can be used and is relevant to everyday concerns. One seminary describes its Practical Theology Program as "being dedicated to the practical application of theological insights" and that it "generally includes the sub-disciplines of pastoral theology, homiletics, and Christian education, among others." Another seminary sees the purpose of practical theology as helping to prepare students to translate the knowledge learned into effective ministry to people. Doing this involves both personal and family life as well as the administration and educational ministries in the church. They state that the goal of practical theology is to develop effective communicators of Scripture who have a vision for the spiritual growth of believers while being servant leaders.
Some consider practical theology to simply be a more technical name for the doctrine of the Christian life. Its emphasis is on how all the teaching of Scripture should affect the way we live today in this present world. The emphasis of practical theology is not simply to contemplate or comprehend theological doctrines but to move beyond that to applying those doctrines in everyday Christian life so that we "contribute to the world's becoming what God intends it to be."
The premise behind practical theology programs is that future Christian leaders need to be equipped not only with theological knowledge but also with the necessary professional skills to minister effectively in the modern world. Often these programs use preaching, Christian education, counseling and clinical programs to provide opportunities to equip and prepare future Christian leaders.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
• O Lord, help believers to embrace the sufficiency of Christ for them in all things and at all times.
• A man who lives alone is either always overworked, or always overfed.
• If you get the man in you right, your world will be right.
• If you sell the gift of God which should be freely given, you will be made to pay back on the day you have nothing at hand.
• "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." - Revelation 3:11
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