Song of the Day: “Close” by Marvin Sapp
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I love this song because it illustrates what is so true; sometimes the storm is the worst before the sun comes out.🌞
Soldiers are victorious because they persevere; all battles are not won, but the fight isn’t over until it’s over for a true hero.
“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. So stand firm and hold your ground, HAVING TIGHTENED THE WIDE BAND OF TRUTH (personal integrity, moral courage) AROUND YOUR WAIST and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (an upright heart), and having strapped on YOUR FEET THE GOSPEL OF PEACE IN PREPARATION [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people. And pray for me, that words may be given to me when I open my mouth, to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news [of salvation], for which I am an ambassador in chains. And pray that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly and courageously, as I should.”
Ephesians 6:10-20 AMP
I encourage you to seek the Lord through whatever you are facing. I am seeking the Lord to help me through my many battles with myself, my surroundings, and my pain because to be alive today and each day is a beautiful blessing. Seek Him in storms and in times of blessing.
“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “ Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom (dominion, reign) of our God, and the authority of His Christ have come; for the accuser of our [believing] brothers and sisters has been thrown down [at last], he who accuses them and keeps bringing charges [of sinful behavior] against them before our God day and night. And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them [in the presence of God]. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you in great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time [remaining]!””
Revelation 12:10-12 AMP
We will overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and by Word of our testimony. Yesterday, I snapped many Fourth of July pictures to capture once-in-a-lifetime memories because we do not know how long good times will last. All our experiences are a part of our testimony. I admit I am striving to be ready to met the Lord. I want to be pure at heart, able to love-withstand and be a good steward. Who do you want to meet when you get to Heaven? God? Jesus? Paul? Daniel? Hannah? Sarah? Joseph? Be reminded that you can overcome your battles as each of them has.
Grateful that while I was yet a sinner, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:8.
God has a plan from Genesis for our salvation through His son’s sacrifice. Remember that you are close to Him when you repent and seek His face.
With His love in me, in front of me and surrounding me, I am praying that we will all be pleasing in His sight by faith and by deeds! What are you close to in your life?