In this episode of The Crosswalk Devotional, we discuss the importance of using the unique gifts God has given each of us. Whether it’s a talent, a skill, or a passion, every gift has a purpose in building up the body of Christ and serving others. We’ll explore biblical examples of faithful stewardship, the joy of serving, and how to identify and cultivate your gifts. Join us as we encourage one another to embrace our individual contributions, making a meaningful impact in our communities and beyond.

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Full Transcript Below:

Standing in Faith When War Is All Around Us

(723 words)

By Lynette Kittle

“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”—Ephesians 6:13

Amidst a wartime backdrop, I began reading Facebook posts written by a Ukrainian pastor’s wife, mother, writer, and fellow believer in Jesus Christ.

Connected through mutual friends, her personal stories moved my heart, as I related to her asking God to watch over and protect her family from the advancing, brutal, invading enemy.

Even though we’re not living in a physical war zone as she is, all of us are born into a spiritual battlefield, where we’re called to keep alert and on guard of a destructive invading enemy, one who wants to rob us of our homes and kill all that is precious to us, where day in and day out, we face ongoing battles of good versus evil.

1 Peter 5:8 urges, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Likewise Jesus in John 10:10 warned, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Identifying the Enemy

Although it seems at times our enemies are in human flesh and blood, Ephesians 6:12 describes who we’re really at war with in this world. “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.”

Whereas we can usually see worldly enemies physically approaching us, spiritual enemies aren’t so easy for most of us to identify. One rare glimpse of the spiritual battles taking place in the heavenlies comes from Daniel while he was struggling to understand why God hadn’t answered his prayers yet.

He received a heavenly visitor who described to him what was causing the delay, “But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia” (Daniel 10:13).

Gathering Up Our Spiritual Weapons

Likewise, whereas physical weapons destroy and deconstruct things seen, our spiritual weapons demolish things unseen. As 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 explains:

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.”

Suiting Up for Standing Firm

As Ephesians 6:10 encourages us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”

Like soldiers put on helmets, bullet proof vests, and combat boots, God hands us armor to wear for facing spiritual battles on earth. As Ephesians 6:11 describes.”Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”

But it’s up to us to put it on, as Ephesians 6:14-17 goes onto describe what this armor consists of how we should wear it.“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around yo