Stepping Stones: God-given Empowerment

Transformational Tip
When you are feeling weak and powerless, unprotected and vulnerable, remember, that is NOT the reality. Yes, there is a spiritual war between good and evil, God and Satan. They are fighting for your soul, and the battlefield is your mind. God gives us armor to defend and a sword to actually counter attack against Satan.....cut off the supply lines of strongholds Satan has established in our heart long ago in our immature, pre-salvation years of living. You have a major decision to make every day... Will you put on the armor and take up your sword, or will you walk through the day naked, unprotected, and with no weapon to attack and beat Satan back. Click the "Spiritual Basics" link below and go to the Armor page. Don't go another day without one of God's special gifts to us.

Prayer
Dear Father - We are ever so grateful, Lord, that you did not leave us on this earth to fend for ourselves, that Your plan is for us to care for each other with a love that can only arise from a heart that is intimate with You. Thank you for the God-given empowerment to resist the enemy in every area of our lives, an empowerment that grows from our ever increasing intimacy and knowledge of You. May Your Spirit touch the heart of each and every individual reading the Stepping Stones Devotionals in such a way as they will "know that they know that they know," deep down inside, of Your unconditional love for them.

The Truth
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.
Ephesians 6: 10-18
and shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.'
Deu 20:3-4