Hits

There were fourteen of us under one roof for three nights at the lake. And I did have to ask myself how this was all going to play out...Food and sleeping arrangements, enough to do etc. And you can bet I did pray about it...asking among other things for God to be the overseerer and protector. There was a great mix of babies, parents, grandparents, friends. And surprisingly enough everybody had a wonderful time....well most of the time....there was this balcony....and someone had this great idea to fill up water balloons and launch a sudden attack on Molly's group (young adults) who were just getting out of the lake down below...I will say they were well targeted shots and a great surprise to each of them...but after the shock wore off...and they dried off and regained composure... I will say they (the victims) handled themselves with great poise, calmness and sportsmanship....they shook the drips from their feet and continued on about their business of having fun....with very little grievance.

We get bombarded too by the unexpected...some are plans that others have maliciously devised for our derail...while others are just a part of life that has God has allowed to be launched into our lives. But how do we handle it when we are the target? Do we fist up in anger seeking immediate retaliation...or take time to evaluate what has happened....regain composure and continue on in spite of what has hit. The source of a launch is not always able to be traced....but the good news is that there is help to be solicited no matter where we are hit and by what. It is a natural reaction to stiffen up when something unexpected hits us hard...but if we are armored up with an imaginary but ever so real protection that is from Jesus Christ then there is nothing that
can keep us down and deflated.

Armor is solicited and gained through a genuine faith in Christ. He is standing ready to help us prepare for life's hits. And there is no hit on any of us that is greater than Christ's defense. He has the ultimate say...and provides us with his riches of power, discernment, protection, strength, perseverance, courage, wisdom and most of all HIs grace. He arms us with confidence that will help us stand tall in the midst of adversity and trials.

You have heard these verses many times before...but today as you read them...consider them as your personal armor. Be ready for battle....for each day we are faced with something that we have not expected....or someone says something that gets our goat or hurts our feelings...ot even worse hurts someone who we love and care deeply about. We sometimes are that person who does the attacking....in carelessness or in contempt or envy...and we too must realize that we need the protection of Christ's armor as well to keep us from doing what is wrong and bringing someone down instead of building them up. Whether we are the victims or the bullies...we all need the armor of Christ.

Ephesians 6
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

It was just a bolt of water from busted balloons...all in fun....among family....and there was an unexpected light retaliation...that caught the original attackers off guard.

If all our trials could be so contained...and short lived...but they aren't as we all know. When we are hit by the unexpected....may we already be ready and prepared for battle. May we have on the belt of TRUTH, the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS. May our feet be fitted with the readiness that comes from the GOSPEL OF PEACE....and may we be shielded with FAITH. May we have upon us the helmet of SALVATION and the sword of the SPIRIT....and know that in all things,and through all things God is watching, God is ready and God will be there to help us fight our battles.

Dear Lord Thank you for giving us the confidence through our faith that nothing is too big for us to overcome with and through the knowledge and truth of your son Jesus Christ. Amen