Ready for Battle?

Yesterday morning was our mentoring day with the Rio Trio and we decided to meet on the beach.  

During this time I was approached by a woman who interrupted our mentoring and wanted to talk to me.  I had two bibles with me. She asked me if my bible (Portuguese) was a holy bible.  Then she asked me if my other bible (English) was a bible of a spirit.  She left, but shortly after turned around and came back to talk more.

I asked her if she believed in Jesus Christ and that He was the only way to eternity with God.  She said she believed in Jesus and that worshiping Him along with all the spirits would get you to eternity with God.  She ridiculed me by rudely pushing the sleeve of my dress and flicking my earring in a taunting way.  I asked if she attended a church and she said, "No, I don't need to meet with anyone."  She said the package of cigarettes she had in her hand were because she lived in the flesh. Our conversation ended and she abruptly left.

Afterwards my spirit was discouraged by my conversation with this woman.  It took me a while to figure out why.  I realized that I had encountered the enemy face-to-face.  Matthew 12:30 says, "Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me."

Every day we face a spiritual battle, wherever we live, whether we are in the United States or in Brazil.  Are we spiritually prepared?  

Are we wearing the full armor of God?  Ephesians 6:10-17 says, "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Standing firm,


Diane