THE ARMOR OF GOD

Yesterday morning while I was studying, the Scripture from Ephesians 6 (where it talks about putting on the whole armor of God) came up on my computer screen. Then I heard my email notification sound off and I looked on my other screen and it was the YouVersion verse of the day with Eph. 6:11 showing on that screen. I looked back and forth on both screens and knew that it could not be a coincidence.

One thing I don’t like to do is give the devil my undivided attention. Some people sing songs about him… “Don’t let the devil ride, if you let him ride he’ll want to drive, don’t let him ride.” Some people preach sermons about him. Some people spend the day talking at him and rebuking him all day. I rarely do any of these things. I just don’t feel I should devote hours in my day paying attention to the devil. I know he’s out there, but I try not to turn my attention from the Lord, to engage with him on a regular basis.

But I know that it was not a coincidence that this Scripture came up on both computer screens at the same time. It said, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.”

So, what am I to do? I know Satan’s attacks are real but I still don’t want to give him minutes of my day. I do not want to spend my whole life in spiritual warfare with the devil because I have better things to do with my time. If the devil can get us to turn from fulfilling the call of God on our lives, to engaging in full-time warfare with him, then the kingdom of God suffers the consequences.

Luke 11:21-22 says, “For when a strong man is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe — until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.”

So, there’s the answer. Give the devil over to the One that is stronger than he is, for the battle is not ours, but God’s.

Jesus said, “From the days of John the Baptist UNTIL NOW the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force (Matthew 11:12). There’s a new Sheriff in town. His name is Jesus Christ. He said, “I have overcome the world.” Therefore, we that believe in Him share in that victory. We too, are overcomers. With the minutes of my day, I will sing songs of praise and thanksgiving to God, but I will not sing songs about the devil. Seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, THEN all these things shall be added to you.

Heavenly Father, You are my armor. You are my hiding place. You shall preserve me from trouble. You shall surround me with songs of deliverance (Psalm 32:7). Thank You Lord!

To God be the glory.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

GOD ANSWERS BIG PRAYERS TOO

My husband is a long-time smoker and had been struggling with a bad cough for some time. It didn’t seem to be getting any better, but persisted. When he would go on a coughing binge, it was prolonged and seemed agonizing. I prayed to God for him.

Time passed and I didn’t really think about it that much. If he coughed, I prayed. Early this morning, I’m sitting at the computer in my office, and I heard a soft little cough coming from our bedroom. Suddenly it dawned on me that I had not heard the agonizing cough in recent days. God healed him!

I had also been praying that God would give him the lungs of a non-smoker. I can’t see his lungs, but I’m believing that God answered that prayer too… all of my prayer, not just a portion of it.

Ephesians 3:20 keeps coming up from various sources, and it’s ironic because I’ve been praying to God for other miracles too.

The Amplified Bible translation says it best for me… “Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us.” (Eph. 3:20 Amp.)

His power that’s at work within us is Holy Spirit’s power. If we dare to believe God, He is able to carry out our petitions, no matter how big they are. In fact, He is able (and willing) to even go beyond our greatest thoughts, desires, prayers, hopes and dreams.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV) It is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

Ask and believe, it will be given to you.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

SOMETIMES WE NEED A SIMON OF CYRENE

Jesus, being weak from the beating and torture He had received was physically struggling under the weight of His cross. Simon of Cyrene was passing by and the soldiers compelled him to help Jesus carry the cross to Golgotha. Cyrene was the capital city of Cyrenaica in northern Africa on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea.

He was despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Isaiah 53:3

Simon of Cyrene had his own cross in the form of daily challenges of life, but he also had the opportunity to carry somebody else’s cross and this turned out to be the most important cross he ever carried.

Sometimes, we too may need a 'Simon of Cyrene' to help us bear our cross.

We pray to God that He may grant us the grace to bear other people’s burdens as we serve Him who declared that, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.”

Lord, bless every 'Simon of Cyrene' whom You place on our journey. Grant us the willingness and the zeal to carry the crosses of those whom we meet, that have no strength. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

JOY ABUNDANTLY FOR THE ASKING

We pray in the name of Jesus because He is anointed to break yokes and loose the bonds of wickedness and undo heavy burdens, and release the chains of the oppressed, and break every yoke, and pull down every stronghold, and cast down every argument and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and do exceedingly and abundantly more than all we dare to ask or think, infinitely beyond our greatest thoughts, desires, prayers, hopes, or dreams according to Holy Spirit's power that is at work within us.

God, be glorified.

John 16:23-24 (NLT) At that time you won't need to ask Me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and He will grant your request because you use My name. You haven't done this before. Ask, using My name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

Heavenly Father, I pray in the matchless and mighty name of Jesus that...

THE HUMANITY IN US

Sometimes when I see the inhumanity and unkindness of my fellow human beings, it makes me sad. Watching the news day-after-day is disheartening at times because they report all the mass killings, and injustice, and wars, and viruses going on in the world. I said in prayer a few days ago that I feel frustrated with Adam and Eve because their failure got us into this mess of a world that seems to be getting worse.

Since then, the Lord has been showing me good-hearted, and warm-hearted people through my Facebook feed (like people being kind to animals, and a man that stopped his car to clear the road of debris so others could pass), and other things in my day-to-day activities.

Then… while watching Monday night football, Damar Hamlin had a heart attack in the middle of the game. I have watched and followed this story closely ever since. I cannot tell you how uplifting it has been to see my fellow human beings reacting with such love and compassion. It has given me a refreshing in my soul, like drinking a cold glass of iced water on a very hot day. The tragedy of this young man has brought us together in a way that I don’t think I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. It’s overwhelming to see how we come together in times like these… even his teammates, and the news anchors were shedding tears. Everyone praying everywhere. People that don’t even know him personally, drove from out of town to the hospital just to support his family members, feeding them and providing for them. They held prayer vigils outside the hospital. Astounding!

The one thing I’ve learned from all of this is that I need to seek out the good in people on a regular basis. I’ll still watch the news so I know what to pray about, but I will also look for stories of good-hearted people – the true heroes in this world that make living here worthwhile.

Some time ago I started watching old episodes of The Price is Right because it makes me feel good to see the contestants win prizes, and it give me something to cheer about. I sit alone in the Living Room applauding for them and it makes me feel good inside.

I believe Damar Hamlin will recover because many, many prayers have gone up on his behalf. I cannot wait to see what the Lord does through him. The lives he has affected all over the world is already quite remarkable.

Be encouraged my friend. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

I am no longer frustrated with Adam and Eve. Today, I’m at peace.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove