I realize most messages preached today concerning the Last Days focus on God’s activities, but let me ask this: “Have you considered your ability to stand against Satan during his evil last days?”
Ephesians 6:10-18 is a very popular scripture to quote or preach on. It talks about our armor. But are you actually conscious of this armor?
Oh yes, we all know part of it is a belt, a shield, a helmet and even a sword, but can you honestly say you know you have your armor on all the time?
If your answer is yes, then you’re saying that at all times you’re conscious of the fact that you operate in truth, walk in righteousness, always speak peace, and continually pray in the spirit and supplication for your brothers and sisters in the Lord.
This is always having your armor on. Is that what you’re saying you do?
Go read Ephesians 6:10-18 and notice verse 10 starts out with the word, “Finally.” This word means “not in conclusion, but insofar as the rest of your life.”
Then notice verse 11 tells you to “stand against wiles of the devil” and again in verse 13 it says to “withstand.”
Verse 14 says, “stand therefore.” This certainly implies that the apostle is warning us that we not only have to keep our armor on, but it will definitely be needed if we are to remain standing during the “evil last days of the devil’s activities on earth” (v. 13).
Verse 12 tells us our problem is not with humans because he says, “We will not wrestle against flesh and blood [humans], but against principalities and powers and rulers of darkness, spiritual hosts of wickedness.” Then, immediately (v. 13) he says, “therefore get your armor on.”
Why? “That you may withstand.”
He is saying this armor is not only good for quoting and preaching, but if we actually plan to stand during Satan’s final day assaults, we better keep it on.
Let’s go back to my original question. “Have you considered your ability to stand during Satan’s final day?”
It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to see that the apostle is telling us that we won’t stand without a daily conscious focus on His truth, His righteousness, peace in His gospel, faith, Word, praying in the spirit and for our brothers and sisters.
My final question: What will you do now with this truth?
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22).
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Pastor David Shipman is one of the founding pastors of Fellowship of Hope and presently serves as the Senior Pastor. He employs a very aggressive and responsive attitude toward the Word of God. Believing whole heartedly Jesus’ Words found in Mark 9:23, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
Through a positive focus on the Word to edify and build up believers, Pastor David’s ministry focuses on the power of God in an individual’s life through a personal relationship grounded in faith and obedience with Him.
Pastor David has been raised in church since the age of four. During his life he has been active in many aspects of ministry within the church. Although knowing he was called to a public ministry by the age of 12, the realization of his calling was not manifested until the birth of Valley Worship Center. Until the age of 35 Pastor David was very successful in the financial sector while serving in another church. In 1996, the Lord started moving him towards the fulfillment of his calling.
Pastor David’s public ministry was given birth with the formation of Fellowship of Hope in August 1997. Since that time God has opened many doors extending his ministry beyond the local church. Pastor David has been part of the Board of Directors of Love INC (In the Name of Christ) of Tulare County since January 1999 and on the Western District Board of Directors of the I.M.A. (International Ministerial Association) since 1999 and presently serves as the Secretary/Treasurer.