Ever found yourself drifting away from Jesus? Realizing that it wasn’t Jesus who had moved? Knowing that gradually Jesus had not been the center of your life? Realizing that Jesus and His will had slipped from being Priority #1 in your life to being second, third, or last?

That’s how I felt recently when I heard a pastor who gave a sermon about how drifting from Your First Love, Jesus, will cause an upheaval in your life. He gave a couple of things that drifting away from Jesus will do to you:

• Drifting will quench your passion for Jesus.
• Drifting will weaken your resolve against sin.

It caused me to stop and realize that I had neglected being where Jesus would want me to be. You see, Jesus wants our heart. He desires to hear from us, even though He already knows our thoughts. He inhabits our praise. He knows we are living in a world of war with an enemy. Satan is our enemy and wants to destroy our every day.

But God gives us an “Armor” and wants us to put on that “Armor” every day.  Otherwise, Satan will slip into our thoughts and actions.  Putting on the Full Armor of God is our self-defense strategy to fight the enemy, Satan.  Ephesians 6:10-18 gives us an account of the Armor of God. 

• Belt of Truth – God’s Word, the Bible
• Breastplate of Righteousness – Obedience to God
• Shoes of Peace – the Gospel produces peace with the Lord
• Shield of Faith – Stay in God’s Word
• Helmet of Salvation – Battlefield of the mind
• Sword of the Spirit – The Word of God

The war we face with the enemy is not a physical war. It is a war that wants to capture every thought and rein over us. It is a spiritual war that we need to be prepared for every day and not drift away from Jesus and His Word and His Will for our lives. It is a real war, and God has given us what we need to fight this war. It is a protection for every part of our being, from the top of our head to the soles of our feet and our inner most being. So put on that Armor! Acknowledge Jesus’ Presence every day! Meet with Him daily, and He will meet with you!

In researching the Full Armor of God, I found the following prayer from Billy Graham’s website and thought I would share this to end this blog today:

From Ephesians 6:10-18

Prayer: Father, help us to prepare for any battle we may face. Help us to keep our eyes focused on Jesus. As we go through today, help us to stand strong and not live in fear of the enemy.

Please Lord, equip me today with the armor of God.

I put on the belt of truth (verse 14).

May Your truth rule in my heart, my mind, and through my words today.

I put on the breastplate of righteousness (verse 14).

Apart from You, Jesus, there is no righteousness. Through Jesus I have been “born again” and made righteous in Your sight. Help me to live as a righteous person.

I put on the shoes of peace (verse 15) and pray that they will be firmly grounded in the good news of what Jesus did on the cross.

Lord, help me to reflect the Gospel in my words and in my actions, that through me, I may shine Jesus’ light and others may be drawn to know You.

I take up the shield of Faith (verse 16) for any fiery darts that may come my way. Thank You that in Jesus, we have the victory. No matter what tactics the enemy may throw at us, God has everything under control.

I put on the helmet of salvation (verse 17)

Lord, protect my mind and remind me that nothing can separate me from Your love. I’ve been saved by grace through faith.

I take up the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (verse 17).

Lord, as I open Your Word – let Your Holy Spirit open my eyes to see new things about You and open my mind and heart as You lead me. May I be “filled with the Spirit” and ready with Scriptures. Help me to memorize Your Word and keep it safe in my heart.

Finally, Lord, remind me to pray in the Spirit on all occasions (verse 18).

Help me to always be in constant communication with you. Cause me to be alert, to be joyful and give thanks in everything. In Jesus’ mighty name – Amen.