June 16, 2014: Volume 3, Number 16
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MORE WITH
30 60 100 MINISTRIES |
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|  News flash: if you're a Christ-follower, you can expect conflict every day. You're in more than a battle ... you're in a war.
Today's feature, Do You Understand the Fight? explains your daily fight and the true enemy you face.
In this eighth and final segment in a series on practical vigilance, we also give you a handy chart that summarizes God's armor and how each piece protects you.
 We'd love to hear how this series has impacted your spiritual email. Send us an email to give us your feedback. And always keep growing!
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SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY LEADER� WORKSHOPS CONTINUE ON JUNE 20
| Spiritually Healthy Leader� workshop series equips you to be spiritually fit, manage conflict, maintain  healthy relationships, set a healthy pace, overcome leadership challenges, and finish well. The series continues in June with a session about personal vision.
Join us for Session 4: CONDITIONING FOR THE COURSE
Friday, June 20: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Identify and draft your own God-inspired personal vision, mission, values, and goals in this workshop that helps you distinguish between the roles of a leader and manager. Register today.
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UPDATE: GUATEMALA July 24 - August 1
| In July, Vicki and I will return to Guatemala for two outreach projects. First we will join our grandson and son in an organic gardening m issions outreach in Los Romeros community on Vulc�n Tajumulco, equipping h a local family who live in Quetzaltenango and work in Los Romeros each month.
Then we'll return to Guatemala City and join the FCCI-Guatemala leadership team in several follow-up meetings Thank you for praying with us as we help equip new believers and established Christian leaders in this beautiful country.
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 Feature: TRIED, TRUE, STATE-OF-ART -- ARMOR FOR DAILY BATTLE
PART 8: DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE FIGHT? | Eighth and final devotional in a series about personal vigilance
In Proverbs 6, God describes seven sins He hates, starting at the top of the human body and moving down: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill, a conniving heart, feet that rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension.
Then in Ephesians 6:12-18, God provides a set of practical tools we can use to battle those seven sins, which include the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, the shield of faith, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes shod with peace, and the belt of truth.
This series has traced how God has equipped us to battle the seven sins God hates, giving us everything we need to be victorious and walk in a way that is pleasing to Him, thereby opening the door for Him to bless us.
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This Piece of Armor (Ephesians 6)...
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Protects You From This Sin (Proverbs 6) ...
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Helmet of Salvation
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Haughty Eyes, Lying Tongue
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Shield of Faith, Sword of the Spirit
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Hands that Kill
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Breastplate of Righteousness
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Conniving Heart
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Shoes of Readiness
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Feet Quick to Rush to Evil
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Belt of Truth
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False Witness, Lying Tongue
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Prayer in the Spirit
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Words that Stir Up Dissension
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Yet all the equipment in creation will not win a victory if you don't understand the spiritual warfare that we Christ-followers are confronted with daily.
1. Understand the Daily Battle
We need God's armor because we are in a battle every day.
"We ... wrestle against the spiritual forces of evil" (Ephesians 6:12, ESV). The term used for wrestle describes more than an orderly, regulated match on mats. Rather here, the opponents throw one another violently, seeking to strike each other down. It is hand-to-hand combat ... every day. Which makes it more than just a one-time skirmish or a battle. Your fight is an ongoing war.
2. Know the True Enemy
Who is your true enemy in the war? It is easy to be deceived into thinking your battle is against other people, particularly those to whom you direct these seven sins that G
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Image: Wear the Message
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od hates.
But "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). Clearly, your fight is not against other people ("flesh and blood"). The enemy isn't even yourself. It is certainly not God.
Your opposition is a team made up of "spiritual forces of evil." They are the bad guys that work with Satan, inspiring us to do the things that God hates.
3. Take Up the Armor
God knows you. God hates the seven sins that we've addressed in this series and He hates the evil forces who entice us to commit those sins ... but He loves you. He understands the daily battle and the war. He knows the enemy. He knows how to defeat the enemy. He knows what you need in each battle, each day.
God has provided the armor, and has equipped you with everything you need to be victorious over the enemy and walk in a way that pleases Him.
God gives you what you need to fight. All He asks is for you to recognize your enemy, put on every piece of your armor... and then use it. Every day.
Armor for Daily Battle, Part 1: Get Your Gear Ready
Armor for Daily Battle, Part 2: The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Leave Vulnerable
Armor for Daily Battle, Part 3: My Hands Are Full - and That's a Good Thing
Armor for Daily Battle, Part 4: Follow Your Heart or Guard Your Heart?
Growth Point
Put on the whole armor of God.
Scripture
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:11-12, ESV) Prayer Points - Which piece of armor is one you may forget to put on or think you may not need?
- Think of a time when you may have mistaken your true enemy.
- Over a week or 10 days, record the ways God's armor equips you for the daily battles you face.
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| What People Are Saying ... |
 "I want to thank you for your recent email on prayer. I have a heavy burden to pray for a particular individual in my life. This article from The Cultivator came at just the right time. I have copied down the verses you suggested. These scriptures provide a defined focus for my prayers. Bless you for sharing these regular insights!" Jayne N.
Hear more testimonies from Christians in remote areas served by 30 60 100 MINISTRIES staff here.
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