OF ARMOR AND FRUIT ~ part 12 (Wrapping It Up) ~

​Scenario 1 –
 
          A woman is on her way to meet a friend for lunch. She started her day early with prayer and study of God’s Word. She is ready to face whatever comes her way, she knows that God is in control, and He is her protector, provider, King.
 
          She is headed for their favorite restaurant, giving herself an extra 10 minutes, because she hates to be late, to get there. She is on the interstate and low and behold, the traffic is at a standstill. It is like a parking lot with NO movement at all. She figures there must be a really bad accident ahead and so she begins to pray for those involved and their families. She gives glory to the Lord for the privilege to pray for even those she does not know. Picking up her cell phone, she calls her friend and explains that she will be a bit late and why.
 
          About 12 minutes later traffic slowly begins to move ahead in one of the lanes. She offers up thanks to the Lord for His protection and heads off to meet her friend, full of the joy of the Lord, and practically on time.
 
Scenario 2 –
 
          A woman was on her way to a doctor’s appointment – “why did they have to have it be first thing in the morning?” she wonders. She is already upset because she had to rush and miss her time with the Lord. She figured she’d make it up later.
          Everything was going wrong! She gets more frustrated with every little thing that comes along; dropped her keys several times, couldn’t find her cell phone, took the wrong street exit and had to turn around, late for her appointment, and the doctor being delayed due to an emergency at the hospital.
 
          She finds herself waiting in the doctor’s office for over two hours, and then finds out that they must reschedule it. She loses it and yells at the receptionist, letting her have every bit of her frustration of the day. The appointment is rescheduled, apologies made, and she heads home – totally without peace, and certainly without any joy. God is the farthest thing from her thoughts as she continues to stew over all the events that took place since she got up.
 
In the first scenario, we see that the woman has on her full armor – notice that she gave God the first fruit of her day! She slips into those gospel boots of peace, blankets herself in the robes of righteousness (breastplate), assured of that her salvation is real and forever (helmet), she has put on the belt of Truth (by spending time in studying the Word), and she has put the Sword of the Spirit into that belt, ready to use at any time. She has up her shield of faith, fully confident in God meeting her every need.
 
When the enemy tried to get her to ‘lose her Christianity’ (be upset, possibly swear, scream, think ugly thoughts, or act out), she was not phased one bit. In fact, the opposite took place. That sword of the Spirit prompted her to pray . . . she listened to Holy Spirit and took up intercession for people she did not even know. The manifestation of Fruit of the Spirit was love (compassion for others), peace (staying calm, knowing God was in control), self-control (she did not let things affect her attitude or her day), and patience.
 
In the second scenario, there is quite a contrast, isn’t there? This woman was fit to be tied; giving absolutely no time to spend with the Lord before she got into her day. Without that, she went out into battle completely unprotected, so that when the enemy came at her, he succeeded in shaking her faith. As a result, she was not manifesting any components of the Fruit of the Spirit. So much so, in fact, that no one would be able to look at her and think, “Oh, she must be a Christian.” (Think about it!)
 
Dear ones, it takes more than just sitting through one sermon on Sunday morning to keep you going throughout the week. We need to make it a top priority to spend quality time with our Lord – giving Him the FIRST part of our day. He puts you first! He desires to have close fellowship with you during every day of your life. He has given us everything we need to face anything that could possibly come along. If we are faithful to spend time with Him first, allowing Him to help you put on all of the armor, you will walk as a true Christian, someone who reflects Jesus to the world. The Fruit of the Spirit naturally manifests Itself for all to taste and see that the Lord is, indeed, GOOD.
 
 
 
~      *    ~    *    ~  Thank you for sharing in this study of Armor and Fruit. I pray it was enlightening to your heart, and that by application, it will manifest much fruit in your own life.    ~    *    ~    *    ~