People often say, “she hasn’t fallen far from the tree”. As a mum that’s a heartwarming compliment.
Family is everything. This quick pic of Laura is from a recent Sunday. She had preached a stunning message. As I hurried to leave, I shot back to tell my girl that her message was beautiful. That’s when she stood on the steps and said - “Mum, my dress was INSIDE OUT the whole time!!”
I laughed and (of course) took a photo. Made my day, and is something I’ve no doubt done myself.
Building the Kingdom is full of wardrobe malfunctions. Savour the moments and laugh together, but just make sure that the wardrobe that matters - our Ephesians 6 Armour - suffers no malfunction or dysfunction. There is nothing malfunctioning about GOD’S ARMOUR, but it can be worn incorrectly, or used inappropriately
.…. the HELMET OF SALVATION is not for taking off your own dear head to whack another over their dear head. It’s to be worn so that the Word of God can protect and renew your thinking, because as a man or woman thinks, so they are.
… the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT is not there to pierce fellow flesh or sever heads (recently concussed with a flying helmet!), but rather to accurately divide the Word within your own heart, and be used with godly authority against the real enemy, the devil and all his dark agendas.
… the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS is to protect your (spiritual) heart and vital organs, not to shut others out, or equally harmful, shut yourself in with steel like barrier.
… the SHIELD OF FAITH is to advance forward with “Mercy, Truth, Grace, Justice, Freedom, Dignity, Value” (all the Colour words) whilst deflecting the fiery arrows and attacks of the enemy. It’s not for hurting one another, but rather for helping one another. Faith is a force for good.
… the BELT OF TRUTH is to protect the future, not strangle the body so it can’t breath, function, or ultimately reproduce.
… FEET SHOD WITH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE are boots on the ground for glorious Kingdom Cause, not boots that trample those for whom Christ came to rescue, which is everyONE btw.
… And then we PRAY as Ephesians 6:18 says.
The metaphors of application are endless. I wrote these off the top of my head, but reading the actual chapter is like medicine and courage to the soul. I’ll include it below where it is always poignant in the Amplified version.
I pray it makes you smile and find strength. And here’s to glorious inside-out-dresses that inspire mums like me to smile also and pivot to a lesson or two on the Armour of God. Have a great week.
Bobbie
Ephesians 6:10-18 Amplified“IN CONCLUSION, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Put on God’s whole armour [the armour of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Therefore put on God’s complete armour, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the BELT OF TRUTH around your loins and having put on the BREASTPLATE of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, And having SHOD YOUR FEET in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. Lift up over all the [covering] SHIELD OF SAVING FAITH, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. And take the HELMET OF SALVATION and the SWORD THAT THE SPIRIT WEILDS, which is the Word of God. PRAY at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).