TEACH US TO PRAY: WEEK FIVE
Brad Vermeer spoke this week on Matthew 6:13, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
Brad started with a story about horses. Horses often wear blinders to keep their eyes on what is ahead of them, not what is on either side of them - things that could distract them or spook them. Sometimes, we need "blinders" to keep our eyes off of the things that could tempt us. Brad also told of a family member who trained horses. Part of his training would be getting the horses used to being spooked by throwing a blanket over their heads or opening an umbrella next to them. By getting them used to being spooked, they would no longer spook. Sometimes, being put through difficult circumstances, things that could spook us, helps us as we move forward. We are no longer spooked and have built endurance.
There are three things that keep our minds from wandering toward temptation:
- Praise
- Prayer
- Sharing your personal testimony
- Your testimony is not just a story of you, but how God has changed and used you.
Brad continued on through the Verse of the Week, Ephesians 6:10-11, and on through verse 18.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For 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. Therefore 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And 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 Lord’s people.
We are told to be strong in the Lord and to put on the full armor of God.
Satan's Influence God's Armor
Father of Lies Put on the belt of Truth
Uses guilt and accusations Breastplate of Righteousness
Puts doubt in our minds Shoes of Peace (the Gospel)
Darts of temptation and deception Shield of faith
Battles to control our minds Helmet of salvation
Hand to hand combat Sword of the Spirit (God's Word)
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