Ephesians 6:10-18 We've all heard the clichés: "hang in there", "buck-up", "keep a stiff upper lip", etc. All these make the assumption that you've got enough strength in yourself to make it through anything. The truth is it just doesn't work that way. God did make this human body pretty tough, and it can go through a lot and survive, but He has built us to need help from outside of ourselves. We do need to be strength for one another, but ultimately, He is to be our source of strength and supply. "Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." He did not come to be a power outlet that we can just plug our extension cords into when our batteries get low. He has come to live within us by His Holy Spirit. It is not like plugging into Consumers Energy, it's more like having all of Consumers Energy living with in you, only better - there will never be a power failure. It seems to be possible to invite Him in, but never hook-up our mental, emotional, or spiritual "appliances" to His power. Ask Him and allow Him to do all the rewiring necessary for Him to be our only source of power. The Spiritual armor that our Scripture is talking about, e.g., "breast plate of righteousness" etc., are not just pieces of protective clothing we put on, they become truths about us as we are related to the indwelling Spirit of God. In putting on these truths we are acknowledging that His power is not only for peace and comfort, but also for defensive and offensive warfare against the enemy of our souls.

Be Strong in the Lord!