Life Plan Devotion #85 [God's Armor--Helmet of Salvation, Part III]

We have begun to look at the Helmet of Salvation, which we are to take (Ephesians 6:17) and which is given to us by God the moment we are saved through grace, by faith. We see that, just like the Roman soldier's critical piece of armor, the Helmet of Salvation is meant to protect our mind from Satan's mind games. The Helmet of Salvation is knowing who you are and what you have in Jesus Christ. Let us now enter the battle, with confidence.
There's a big difference between wearing a helmet and just owning one. You can be saved, but if you aren't actively in the Word and allowing it to be used in your daily spiritual battles, you will experience much defeat, as well as frustration, as a Christian. The Helmet of Salvation is absolutely crucial, if you want to be protected from the schemes of the devil, but you have to make the daily decision to wear it, to yield to it, to actively put into place that which you know about your salvation.
Each day, realize that you have been redeemed, bought with a great price, all because of love (John 3:16). Put on your Helmet. Protect your thoughts by realizing who you are in the One who shed His blood for you. As a true believer, you have eternal life to look forward to, and no one can take that away from you. Satan's fiercest dart of destruction (eternal damnation) cannot pierce you. No, you are an overcomer! [Romans 8:35, 37]
Read God's Word daily. Get it into your eyes and ears, and down into your heart and spirit. It lines your Helmet. The protection of your Helmet of Salvation grows, as you take God's Word and apply it to your life, as you use it to combat the enemy in every spiritual battle. The more you believe in the promises of God, the more you claim them [speak them and line yourself up with the requirements of each one, and believe they apply to you], the greater your faith will be to believe that God will bring the promised provision to that area of your life. That is a tangible expression of your "hope of salvation" (I Thessalonians 5:8).
Understanding and applying God's Word to every spiritual battle gives you hope, defined as unfailing expectation (not wishful thinking) in the ability of your God to fulfill His Word. With it, "nothing shall by any means harm you" (Luke 10:19).

I Corinthians 6:20 [Amplified]
"You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body."

What this has to do with weight loss: Your body was created to be a vessel of honor. Have you, like all who are or have been obese, forgotten that or acted like it wasn't true? Do you see your body as a vessel of honor, bought by the precious blood of Jesus? Do you "honor God and bring glory to Him in your body"? Have you reclaimed your body as the temple it was created to be, a holy, fit house for the Holy Spirit? If not, make the decision right now (and then the moment-by-moment decision) to live honorably, with your body in motion toward health and fitness.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I praise You that I not only own but wear the Helmet of Salvation provided for me at the moment of salvation. May I wear it in such a way that it protects my mind; indeed, my whole body. May my Helmet be so lined by Your Word, that I stand tall and confident in its power. I pray in the Name of the One who bought me...Jesus. Amen."

Go forth today, with God's Word lining your Helmet of Salvation and protecting your mind and body.

Life Plan Devotion #84 [God's Armor--Helmet of Salvation, Part II]

Yesterday, we began looking at the Helmet of Salvation, the fifth piece in the Armor of God, which the apostle Paul, in Ephesians 6:17, encourages us to "take." We looked at salvation, given by Grace, through the Cross. Salvation provides the Helmet of Salvation, and the Helmet of Salvation provides protection in the present and hope for the future.
The Roman soldier's helmet was made of metal, designed to protect the head, face, and neck, while allowing the soldier to see the enemy. The helmet was crucial protection against an opponent's blow.
The Helmet of Salvation covers your mind, if you are a true believer, and the mind is the location of fierce spiritual battles. Satan knows that if he can mess with your mind, he can cause you great misery. The Helmet of Salvation, however, can remind you of who you are and what you have in Christ. With that Helmet firmly fitting your head, you can charge into battle with confidence.

I Thessalonians 5:8 [NIRV]
"We belong to the day. So let us control ourselves. Let us put the armor of faith and love on our chest. Let us put on the hope of salvation like a helmet."

What this has to do with weight loss: As a believer, you belong to the Light. You have God control, which can manifest as self-control. The enemy wants you to think that, in your weight-loss journey, food has control over you. Let your Helmet of Salvation remind you (and the enemy) that you can do all things through Christ, who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13), and that includes controlling what goes into your mouth.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I'm so grateful for the Helmet of Salvation and how it protects my mind and gives me confidence in battle. May I keep that helmet firmly in place. Because I know You, Lord, may I allow You to strengthen me and help me prepare for battle. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, wearing the Helmet of Salvation with confidence, knowing who you are and what you have in Christ.