When, Not If (Ephesians 6:13)

God's armor, not ours

Paul, probably chained to a Roman guard, says to put on the full armor of God. It's God's armor. We didn't make it and can't improve it. DeWayne joked he'd rather wear armor God made than armor his wife made with power tools.

When, not if

Paul writes "when the day of evil comes." Whether that's end-times tribulation or a hard meeting at 10 a.m., it's coming. You don't grab a shield after the arrow hits, so you prepare now.

Defense, together

This passage isn't about charging the enemy. It's about standing. Roman soldiers locked shields shoulder to shoulder, and Paul's "you" is plural. When the smoke clears, the picture is a group of believers still standing together.

From quiet time to battle

One participant described how hard it is to carry a peaceful morning with God into a day that feels like a war zone. DeWayne pointed to Nehemiah's quick, silent prayers before the king, and to having a verse ready. His is Philippians 4:6-9. Another participant stands on James 1:19, and someone else posted Isaiah 41:10.

Try this

• Pick one verse to "take up" this week and memorize it.
• Before your next tough meeting, pray a ten-second prayer.