Life Plan Devotion #98 [God's Armor--Helmet of Salvation, Part XVI]

We have looked at 4 of the top 5 most common fears used by Satan, to try to discourage and defeat you, the believer: the fear of want/lack, the fear of peril/danger, the fear of sickness/disease, and the fear of death/dying. Today, let's look at the fifth and final most common fear used by Satan, the fear of powerlessness/helplessness.
If you have ever felt like a victim of circumstances or had thoughts similar to, "Poor thing. Everything bad happens to you. It's just one thing after another, and you're powerless to change it," you've experienced the whispers of the enemy, to try to get you to fear that you are powerless or helpless.
The apostle Paul, when he sought help from the Lord 3 times for a "thorn in the flesh...a messenger of Satan sent to buffet [him]" to be removed from him (II Corinthians 12:7), the Lord said to Paul, "'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness'" (II Corinthians 12:9a). Paul understood that there is purpose in supposed weakness, "so that Christ's power may rest on me," and he even went so far as to say, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses" and "That is why, for Christ's sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties." How could that be? Paul sums it up by saying, "For when I am weak, then I am strong." (II Corinthians 12:9b-10)
Paul experienced something that God wants each believer to experience, that though Satan "meant it for evil, God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20). Satan had been going crazy, ever since his right-hand man, Saul, the one who had imprisoned and caused to be killed more believers than any one person, had himself come to know Jesus, so much so that God changed his name from Saul (which means "asked for") to Paul (which means "small" or "humble"). Satan wanted Saul back, so he tried over and over to put fear of powerlessness/helplessness on Paul, hoping that Paul would revert to his old Saul (and sin) nature. But it didn't work, because Paul knew the power of God's grace, not to "put up with" but to "conquer all."
Paul said to the Corinthians, and God says to you today, that He (God) "is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (II Corinthians 9:8). In what things? In all things. When? At all times. How much will God give you, of what you need? All that you need. How much grace will you experience? All grace. Why fear that you are powerless or helpless? You shouldn't, for you, as a true believer, are anything but powerless, far from being helpless.

Philippians 4:13 [Amplified]
"I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]."

What this has to do with weight loss: How many times, on the weight-loss journey, have you asked yourself, "Can I really do this?" For the believer who realizes who he/she is in Christ, the answer is a resounding YES, not because the believer has personal strength or fortitude, but because his/her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One. When you feel weak in your ability, and find yourself giving in to the fear that you are powerless and helpless, remember that you "have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers [you]."

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, Satan wants me to fear that I am powerless and helpless, and sometimes it's true. During those times, help me to know that when I'm weak, I'm really strong in You. On my own, I can't do it, but in You, there's nothing I can't do! I praise You for that, and I pray that I'll live it out. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, choosing the power of God over the fear of powerlessness.

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.