Take Up Your Shield of Faith...JOYfully!

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  When you are drinking it consistently, your faith will grow and you’ll be armed and dressed for a successful day!

            Part of the “wardrobe” or armor that Paul tells us about in Ephesians 6 is the shield of faith.  This isn’t something we wear exactly, but it so important that we take it with us wherever we go.  (Kinda like us ladies and our purses! :) )

            Why did Paul tell us we need a shield?

·        A shield guards. Just as a shield protects us physically, faith protects our spiritual lives.  We should trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding!  (Proverbs 3:5)

Back to Ephesians 6:16:
...above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

·        A shield deflects. Satan is always hurling his fiery darts of fear, doubt and worry in our direction, but the only time they can hit us is when we let our shield of faith down—when we stop believing that God is in control; that He is working everything out for our good; that whatever happens is for the ultimate best of everyone involved.

When the Roman army joined its shields together, it became an almost unstoppable force. And if we as God's Church will join our shields—by strengthening each other with our faith, building up and serving within the Body —we will become an unstoppable force.  Now doesn’t that bring JOY to your heart?!

             Lift your shield of FAITH and drink in the JOY of the Lord.