Heaven Sent Sentiments

Good afternoon!! I hope everyone is doing well today! God is so good and this picture of baby ducks reminded me of His awesome protection!

I love animals, especially baby animals. I ran across this picture in a magazine and HAD to save it! It was taken in Forest Farm Park, Cardiff Wales, England. This precious mommy duck was protecting her five babies from the rain. Don’t you just love the intricate pattern she used to snuggle all five under the protection of her wings? Precious!

“Ok, Tommy you’re first. Get close to mommy’s wing. Settle in. Jordan, your next. Turn around. Get close to your brother…” “Awww, mom. I never get to face front….” 🙂

Anyway–this picture brought to my mind one of my favorite scriptures from Colossians, and I may have shared it with you before.

Colossians 3:3 (NIV) “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

WOW, isn’t that amazing?! As a believer, your life is “hidden with Christ.” Hidden means concealed and safe. Protected. Loved. Secure. This is not only a future hope, but an accomplished fact right now.

Our service and conduct do not earn our salvation, but they are the results of our salvation. Take heart that your salvation is secure, and live each day for Christ. (Colossians 3:3 commentary, NIV).

I don’t know about you, but every day I witness a battle going on all around me–extreme negativity, greed, false witness, lies, etc. The enemy is all around trying to seek, kill, and destroy us.

Daily, I need the security of our Almighty God, and I believe His “wings” of protection will cover every aspect of my life. However, I need to be an active participant in the battle.

God expects us to, “be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” Ephesians 6: 10-18. The Armor of God is: the Helmet of Salvation, the Shield of Faith, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Belt of Truth, the Sword of the Spirit, and the Gospel of Peace.

One thing to keep in mind, this needs to be a daily practice. Imagine, if you would, a soldier that goes off to fight in a war that he never prepared for.

— He never uses a weapon.

—He never strategizes with his commanding officer or fellow comrades.

—He never gets physically fit to withstand the rigours of war.

—He never gets fitted properly for his helmet, boots, clothing, and other gear, which results in poor fit and wear.

***

How would it go? Not well, for sure! His day of reckoning with the enemy would not be as successful as if he had prepared daily to fight the battle.

Preparation builds confidence, assurance, and strength. When we use the Armor of God daily, we are committing all the scripture, prayer, strength, peace, truth, and righteousness to our mind, body, and soul. I believe that it becomes a visceral part of us, through our Holy Spirit.

Then, I believe the Holy Spirit within us, helps draw out the right scripture, prayer, strength, measure of peace, etc. that is needed at any particular time. Does that make sense?

For example, you are going through a difficult trial, and one day, a scripture comes to your mind on strength, courage, or whatever the Holy Spirit knows will help you.

Those words speak life and power in such a magnified way that it is as though God is wrapping you in His arms and covering you with His mighty protection.

It comes down to this, we need to fill our mind, body, and soul with the Word of God, Shield of Faith, Peace, Trust, Helmet of Salvation, and Righteousness daily. You will see Jesus every single time you do each one of those things.

Oswald Chambers, in his devotional dated December 24th, has a magnificent way of explaining this:

“When you really see Jesus, I defy you to doubt Him. If you see Him when He says, “Let not your heart be troubled…” (John 14:27), I defy you to worry. It is virtually impossible to doubt when He is there. Every time you are in personal contact with Jesus, His words are real to you. “My peace I give to you…” (John 14:27)– a peace which brings an unconstrained confidence and covers you completely, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet. “…your life is hidden with Christ in God,” and the peace of Jesus Christ that cannot be disturbed has been imparted to you.”

Amen!! Do you feel the power in those words?! I urge you to begin today and prepare for the battle all around you, “Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11 NIV.

Amen! All the glory to God!!

Shanon

Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost For His highest daily devotional. December 24th, The Hidden Life. Discovery House. 1992. Written.

Image of Mother with her baby ducks by pressreader, First For Women. Web.

Image of Ephesians 6: 13-17 by wordpress.com, JesusQuotesandGodThoughts. Web.

Life Application Study Bible. Colossians 3:3 commentary. Page 2034. NLT. Tyndale House Publishers. 1996. Written.