Very Present Danger

Up until today the blogs I've posted were meant to encourage. I always hope that in sharing my heart, it helps someone in a similar situation. But the purpose of this blog is not so much to encourage, it is to warn you. So many are in need of peace right now. No matter how old you are, you need peace. True peace only comes from God. Make no mistake, evil is very present and close to each one of us. But when evil is present, there is no peace. God has revealed how close evil is to me and some of my close friends recently. We all talked and the same scripture had been brought to our attention in different ways within the same week. After we met, I copied and laminated that scripture because I felt like we all need to read it and be reminded every single day to put on the full armor of God. "And this is why you need to be head-to-toe in the full armor of God: so you can resist during these evil days and be fully prepared to hold your ground. Yes, stand, truth banded around your waist, righteousness as your chest plate, and feet protected in preparation to proclaim the good news of peace. Don't forget to raise the shield of faith above all else, so you will be able to extinguish flaming spears hurled at you from the wicked one. Take also the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:13-17. If you would like a laminated copy of this scripture for yourself and your loved ones, send me a private message and I’ll send it to you. God’s word is clear about how important it is to put on this armor. Ephesians 6:12 says “for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers (the devil and his angels), against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” This evil does not only attack adults, it will attack our children. As I’ve been writing this and reading my Bible I realize I do have some encouragement for you! Colossians 2:15 says this about when Christ died on the cross; “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” We have that same power living in us through the Holy Spirit! To all who are close to Americus (Sumter County), if you need a quiet place to go and pray, or need someone to pray for you, join us at Central on Wednesday nights between 5:30-6:30 as our Sanctuary becomes THE REFUGE. Come at any point and stay as long as you want. It’s a great informal time of prayer and praise. For the students of Southland Academy, Colton Tauton leads a Students P.R.A.Y. every Wednesday at 8:00am in the gym. And for anyone else who would like to help us pray for our school, teachers, administration and students, please join us at 7:45 on Thursdays mornings beside the football field. Prayer unlocks the power of God! To sum it up, Christians Win! But we have to put on the armor! And in doing so you will find peace! “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:15