"But keep the Lord Christ holy in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have." 1 Peter 3:15
"Control yourselves and be careful! The devil is your enemy, and he goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to attack and eat." 1 Peter 5:8
Satan is actively working. We have to actively defend.
Lions are the top of the food chain. Satan is making lots of noise and commotion all around us.
Be a lion.
"The wicked are afraid of everything, but those who live right are as brave as lions." Proverbs 28:1
If you want peace, prepare for war.
Don't be afraid. Fear makes you a target.
Be active and prepared all the time.
Every single person prepared.
Daily work on preparation.
You don't ask for the battles. You just prepare for them
“When a strong man with many weapons guards his own house, the things in his house are safe." Luke 11:21
Satan is looking for the hole in your defenses where he can attack you. Don't leave him one.
Keep watch is our job.
“So always be ready. You don’t know the day your Lord will come.43 What would a homeowner do if he knew when a thief was coming? You know he would be ready and not let the thief break in. 44 So you also must be ready. The Son of Man will come at a time when you don’t expect him." Matthew 24:42-44
Are you ready to face God?
Did you do what He asked you to do?
Constantly working with weapons.
"To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. 11 Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks. 12 Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:10-12
Put on the armor. If we don't put it on, it's our fault. God gave us all the tools we need to be victorious.
Stand your ground
Shield of faith has to be strong enough to withstand attacks.. sword of Spirit -- make it sharp! Word of God is your offensive tool.
God's got our back. We need to know God is our fortress. Do you know your way around the fortress? Don't be a spectator.
T"he Lord is my Rock, my fortress, my place of safety.
He is my God, the Rock I run to for protection.
He is my shield; by his power I am saved.[a]
He is my hiding place high in the hills." Psalm 18:2
If God's got my back what am I worried about?
God sees the entire battle. He knows what we're up against.
He knows all the traps and snares Satan will use. He will back us up.
Be ready and engaged.
We have a role to play. He wants us to be active. Get out there and do it. Gotta train together. Pray together.