Quick confession here before you read through a few Bible verses that I have typed out for you today, and I strongly encourage you to read them through, slowly . For years, whenever I picked up a Christian-themed book to read, I had this ‘habit’ of pouring over the words of the author, even underlining certain statements and points they may have made; but when I came across a portion of scripture in that book (usually in italics) ...for some reason, I would just ‘skim over’ the actual word of God...and continue on ‘drinking in’ what the author was saying.

Please don’t make that mistake when reading here today (or on any day for that matter). My words are just that...’my words’. It is God’s Word...that is powerful and ready to do a work inside of your heart if...you will allow it. (Heb . 4:12; 1 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 5:26; Luke 8:11-12). And as you are reading these, ask yourself: “What did these writers seem to know ...that so many in the church world today... not seem to ‘get’?” ...

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary (enemy)... the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith...” (1 Pet. 5:8)

“...For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things... lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Cor. 2:9,11)

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ...” (2 Cor. 10:3-5)....  Wait! ...did Paul say ‘warfare’...and ‘weapons’? Let’s read some more....

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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...stand therefore...” (Eph. 6:11-13)

He goes on....”above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God...” (16-17)

Did he say something about a ‘shield...to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one’?

“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life,... that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” (2 Tim. 2:3-4)

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matt. 24:42-44)

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Rom. 13:11-14)

“Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand ...what the will of the Lord is...”(Eph. 5:14-17). “For not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’... will enter the kingdom of heaven...but he who does the will of My Father in heaven...” (Matt. 7:21)

...What happened to those ten virgins ( a ‘type’ of the church) just before the bridegroom (Christ) returned...in Matt. 25:5?

I don’t know about you...but does it appear from reading these verses above that there might be some kind of ‘war’ or conflict taking place...that we ‘believers’ are supposed to be engaged in?

Meet me back here tomorrow...Lord willing?

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