Brace Youselves, for the Sun Rises and with it the Warcry

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:1

We stand to face another day. Will we stand in victory or hang our heads in defeat? Are we not warriors? Are we not the Ecclesia? Have we not been hand chosen from the fallen to take our Kings light defiantly against the darkness of this world? Are we not called to make ourselves living sacrifices even unto death if necessary? Make no mistake will all have to fight this day, and your preparation and actions will determine the outcome. 

Do you know where you stand? Good! Have you taken upon yourself the armor of God? No warrior goes out unprepared and expects to make it back. The armor is a key component to this battle, Why? Because we are under a constant attack, and we must be ready to defend ourselves lest we be ensnared by the best laid plans of the enemy. 

Ephesians 6:10"

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;
¹⁹ And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
²⁰ For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."

There is an action taking place within our minds and spirits when we take on the armor of God. Make no mistake this is not simple conjecture or pleasantries, this is real action real war. We must speak this daily, and at times more than once. We can take off the armor, and when we do so there is opening and a vulnerability. Verbally and in sincerity speak the armor and it's purpose. We put on the belt of truth so that we will not lie and the truth will come from our mouths. The breastplate of righteousness so that our heart is protected, and we do not sin. The shoes of the Gospel of peace so that everywhere we go the Gospel of Jesus Christ is taken and spread. Not just take up the shield of faith, but ABOVE ALL take up the shield of faith, why? So that we do not fear. Fear will lead us straight to defeat, we will be afraid to talk to someone about our King, afraid to pray for someone, afraid to disciple, afraid to stand when adversity and persecution comes. With the shield we deflect attacks of the enemy. The helmet of salvation, to protect our mind. And finally the sword of the Spirit.

When does the armor come off? An example is when we allow a thought to enter our minds such as lust or anger. As soon as we realize we should again put the helmet back on and speak to the Lord, and fill our mouths with His word. That is using the sword of the Spirit. Speaking the word of the Lord to the captive, the hurting, the oppressed, that is using the sword of the Spirit. Our only weapon. Everything offensive belongs to the Lord, it is His word, not ours. He fights for us, He is the Kinsmen Redeemer and the Avenger of Blood. We are not to avenge ourselves, Romans 12:19-20 forbids it, proclaiming that the vengeance belongs to our King. We should not attempt take this battle on by our hand, but to be strong in the power of His might.

So much defense, but the most powerful offensive weapon. I beseech you to rise, live the sacrifice we are called to. Hold not yourselves as equally bound with the captive of this world, shed your dead flesh, and bring them the liberation of our Captain. Go no place without speaking the Word of God and the freeing message of the Gospel. Go now into the Fray!