Through the challenges of this past month in China and Krygyzstan, a particular word has been underlined and highlighted in my mind:
Covering
I believe the Body is being called into something new and wonderful and I can see it in the men and women of this Expedition squad. It’s in the way they are choosing to come alongside one another in prayer, encouragement, and teachable vulnerability. They are working to fight for, love, and protect one another from the assignments designed to destroy us. I am not sure I would have survived this month without some key warriors and my team at my side.
We are a squad learning how to live daily from Victory.
And as we approach a region of the world where there is so much weightiness, loneliness, and oppression – it is on my heart that we go in together strong.
But what does that look like?
Obviously, it is not enough to walk into this next chapter as individuals because that is not how we were designed to live. We need each other. And I can almost guarantee that if we try to walk this out on our own, we will get slammed by the voices of the “ruling authorities and evil spirits” along the way. It’s the Body who was designed to usher in change, life, and redemption – but not as dissected organs.
Gross imagery? Yeah….
I believe Ephesians holds a blueprint for moving forward, and my attention has continually been called back there. Check it out for yourself and see what Papa reveals to you.
Here is the piece that I got:
“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. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT (emphasis mine)
Strategies: So much of what comes against us are strategies meant to separate us and distract our attention from God. In tough situations I like to ask: Is this pushing me towards or away from God? Then I know WHO I am paying attention to.
The good news is we live under a promise: If we choose to remain IN the Lord, we will be able to stand firm against all these strategies and He will give us His own victorious strategies.
Unseen World: Remember who our enemy actually is and that most of what comes against us is a strategy to steal, kill, and destroy what the Lord loves. Us.
We are so incredibly and relentlessly loved. We can’t forget that!
Again, remember WHO we are standing against – people aren’t actually the problem. It’s the unseen Enemy in this dark world. People’s behaviour is always a result of something. WHO are they (or you) agreeing with? There is only two options.
Put on every piece of God’s armor: As the Children of God we have protection available to us. Are you wearing your armor? Are you learning how each piece works? Are you practicing with it? It gets easier to move with use!
The Body WILL be targeted. We will be hit. But Papa-God says that even after we have battled we will still be able to stand, provided we use the armor He’s given to us.
Put on peace: The promise is that we can be fully prepared for what lies ahead by choosing to put on Peace – which can only be found in the Lord.
Be persistent in your prayers: Prayer is powerful, and the fact that this is the last thing listed after all the pieces of armor tells me that it is important. Think about it. We can ALWAYS pray. It is a constant connection to the Source, and a real-time covering for every circumstance and situation that comes our way. Prayer is HOW we use our armor.
Covering.
Are you wearing the covering (armor) that God has designed especially for you? Have you asked Him what it looks like? Do you recognize that how you use your armor effects the rest of the Body?
Are you practicing the fighting techniques you’ve developed and mastered to cover your brothers and sisters?
Who is on your heart these days? Maybe they need you to fight for them by extending a prayer covering their way.
Are you hungering to be like one of David’s mighty men? Fierce, focused, and deadly. (This is for men AND women). Do your actions reflect that desired alignment with the Father’s warrior heart?
Have you taken the time to ask and receive information and strategies for battle from the Father?
What assignment has He given you specifically?
Covering.
It can look like many things on the day to day (speaking truth over yourself and others, remaining in alignment with the Father’s heart [peace]).
Most recently for me, the enemy began attacking my identity – shouting old familiar lies – most of which I haven’t struggled with for a long time. He was desperately working on killing my confidence in God and in myself…and He got in a few nasty shots. But God revealed to me that I am being led in to a brand new season and the strategy of the enemy was to trip me up on the old things, trying to make me focus on who I used to believe I was. Not the Truth.
God gave me a strategy: Share what I was experiencing with key people He’d send my way so they can extend Truth, Peace, and Faith over me.
I was using all my armor but was getting severely worn down on my own. I needed to bring in battle buddies and come under their covering so I could rally strength.
Who are you covering? And who have you invited to cover you?
Just some thoughts.
