what vicki taught me about being a warrior...

Thank you, Jesus for speaking through Vicki on Monday and how you want us to use the armor that you’ve given us. Thank you for telling me how to vanquish Satan’s darts. Thank you for making me worthless, nothing, and useless. I love the fact that the only reason I’m something special is because of Jesus and what he did for me. It is so great to know that because Jesus is why I’m special I am unbreakable. It takes off SO much pressure to realize this! Jesus helps me to do what Vicki says with the armor.

Eph 6:11-18

11Put on the whole amour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For 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. 13Wherefore take unto you the whole amour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Vicki’s prayer is that I can be a mighty warrior- The battle we have is not for our physical body but for our mind. It’s those phrases that Satan throws at us such as, “you are not good enough.” “ You are fat” you are worthless “ you will not amount to anything.” “ You don’t have a job YET!!!” Those are the principalities, powers, and rules of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places. TO stand against those you have given us these things

1.The belt of truth- this is where we take our mess of a life- and pull it up to hold it together with that belt. (in bible times they would wear robes that would tangle at thier feet- the would "girt their loins" meaning take thier robe and fasten it with their belt to be in a place where they could run better)- the truth is that we are nothing- notta- zip. But because JESUS makes us something we can fight without tripping on our faults- when Satan says that we are worthless- dog gone it we are! It is because of JESUS and his gift of life we are something. So when Satan says it agree! But follow it with, but Jesus made me something!

2. Breast plate of righteousness- this is where at the beginning of the day- when we choose to do what is right WHATEVER THE COST. This righteousness- is intimate. It is near our heart. We CHOOSE to do what is right. We learn and know what our weaknesses are- judging, snootiness, lying, and deceit. WE tackle it by picturing those moments when we could choose to do the mean thing or choose to do what is right.

3. Gospel of peace- this peace comes from the knowledge that because of the gospel- because of Jesus laying down his life- we have peace with a MIGHTY and fearful God. He becomes our ally and our father who we healthily fear because of our acceptance of his son. We have PEACE because of that gospel.

4. Shield of faith. This is the beautiful instrument that Jesus has given us to fight with. This is what helps us to vanquish the darts that Satan throws at us. When the dart of despair comes our shield of truth reminds us that God will never leave us nor forsake us (josh 1:9) when the dart of negativity comes we remember the truth that God knit us together PERFECTLY in our momma’s womb. On and on the truth will block us from Satan’s darts!

5. That helmet of salvation- ooo what a prize! This represents the reminder that we have already won this battle with Satan and his goons! Vicki’s name is not Victoria but she will be victorious because of her savior. She believes this to be true! When I put on that helmet of salvation it shows me that I am already saved. I can look at the trials of my day and laugh and the ease they are compared to the battle for my life that has been given to Jesus. I already have the win! We already have beat Satan. He knows his future and we know ours. Ours is SO much better!

6. finally we have the sword of the truth. This is the only offensive weapon. This is where we can build the attack- by meditating and believing and learning God’s word, we can get the advantage with Satan. Then in Ephesians, we are told to pray, pray, pray! We need to communicate with our chief warrior in this battle- keep an ear out for his command.

Vicki challenged us to pray and choose these things (the armor)

I will be true
I will be righteous
I will remember my peace with you
I will believe
I will remember that I am already a winner
I will meditate on your words
I will discuss everything with you.
Now I am prepared for my day.

WHAT AN UNBELIEVABLE DAY!!!!!!

God is so good!