This weeks Battle Ready post is on Camouflage!
Camouflage is achieved by hiding/covering or "dressing" things or up to deceive an enemy. This is achieved by painting and color coding people and clothing so that they are lost to view or difficult to notice when operating in certain environments.
Depending on the environment they are in, these uniforms help them to blend into the landscape.
Spiritual Environment/Landscape
The natural environment that we are born in is surrounded by the consequences of sin disobedience to our Creator's operation manual (the bible). The bible is our manual for optimizing our spiritual/physical well being, protection and preservation.
Every vehicle manufacturer provides an operating manual that accompanies every vehicle they make. The manual outlines the various features and functions, provides troubleshooting solutions to problems and includes specific instructions for optimal operation. For example, the vehicle manual will explicitly state put gasoline in the gas tank. Should one decide to not read the manual and/or read the manual but decide to try something different, like, put oil in the in the tank instead of gasoline, will the vehicle work?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NET) Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.
The bible, aka...The Word of God, is our manual. The bible is a complimentary gift to us from our Creator. Our manual provides instructions for optimal spiritual connectedness to our Creator (which is our "fuel/gas"), guidance for daily living and interactions with other humans, guarantees for our well being and our protection.
Psalm 119:105-112(NET)
Your word is a lamp to walk by,
and a light to illumine my path.
and a light to illumine my path.
I have vowed and solemnly sworn
to keep your just regulations.
to keep your just regulations.
I am suffering terribly.
O Lord, revive me with your word!
O Lord, please accept the freewill offerings of my praise!
Teach me your regulations!
My life is in continual danger,
but I do not forget your law.
The wicked lay a trap for me,
but I do not wander from your precepts.
I claim your rules as my permanent possession,
for they give me joy.
I am determined to obey your statutes
at all times, to the very end.
Spiritual Battle Gear
We are sinners saved by the blood of Jesus which covers camouflages our sins. The devil, our enemy knows that we are not worthy to enjoy the blessings of God and be called sons and daughters of His. So he is constantly accusing us and pointing out our fallen state;
Revelation 12:10-11
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying,
“The salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the ruling authority of his Christ, have now come,
because the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
the one who accuses them day and night before our God,
has been thrown down.
But they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony,
and they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
and the kingdom of our God,
and the ruling authority of his Christ, have now come,
because the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
the one who accuses them day and night before our God,
has been thrown down.
But they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony,
and they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
Our 'camouflage' colors in this spiritual battle are symbolically red and white. Red-The blood of Jesus; White-God's righteousness that covers us (Hallelujah, thank you Jesus!!!).
Revelation 7:13-14 Then one of the elders asked me, “These dressed in long white robes—who are they and where have they come from?” So I said to him, “My lord, you know the answer.” Then he said to me, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb!
As believers, when we face fiery trials and the testing of our faith, patience, love and all the virtues of the spirit, let us be confident and know that we are covered by the blood of Jesus. Stay in relationship, stay connected, don't wait until the trials come, it will be more difficult and in some cases too late for protection..
The account of the passover for the children of Israel points to the importance of obedience and relationship. God fought for the release of Israel and the final plague required the Israelites to do something in order to be protected from the impending judgement...
Exodus 12:7-13
They will take some of the blood and put it on the two side posts and top of the doorframe of the houses where they will eat it. 8 They will eat the meat the same night; they will eat it roasted over the fire with bread made without yeast and with bitter herbs. 9 Do not eat it raw or boiled in water, but roast it over the fire with its head, its legs, and its entrails. 10 You must leave nothing until morning, but you must burn with fire whatever remains of it until morning. 11 This is how you are to eat it—dressed to travel, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You are to eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.
12 I will pass through the land of Egypt in the same night, and I will attack all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of humans and of animals, and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment. I am the Lord. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, so that when I see the blood I will pass over you, and this plague will not fall on you to destroy you when I attack the land of Egypt.
Obedience is vital for survival. We are instructed in Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
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, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
Oh The Blood
Gateway Worship
No comments:
Post a Comment
What do you Think? Would love to read your thoughts...