How To Be An "Engine Turtle" part 2

A continuation of "Engine Turtle" part 1 posted on January 24.

It's sometimes easy to forget that we have an enemy . . . one who goes around like a roaring lion seeking who he may devour (I Peter 5:8). But we most certainly do! This enemy is also referred to as the father of lies (John 8:44). his flaming arrows are often aimed right at us (Eph. 6:16). he is our adversary. he wants our lives to be complacent. he wants us to think that we can't make a difference. he wants us to just bump along in this life, never really getting into God's Word and having a perspective that is eternal. This realization can be discouraging . . . as if our own sinful natures were not enough to contend with.

But the good news is that victory can be ours! We are encouraged to "be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might." (Eph. 6:10) The strength of HIS MIGHT! There is no end to the strength of His might! We are then instructed (verses 11-17) to put on the full armor of God. (A relatively good website to share with kids on the specific pieces of armor is here (only that this website is wrong about the foot covering . . . it's not "sandals of peace", but having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace which means our knowing and presenting and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost world.)) There are also coloring pages w/verses, and Armor of God crafts for the craft lovers.

This armor is more than just a protective covering. Romans 13 tells us "The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of Light." This armor of Light is defined in verse 14 as "putting on the Lord Jesus Christ." This act would of course begin with a repentant heart, seeking forgiveness and professing Christ as Lord and Savior, after which, we stand dressed in His righteousness. But I think this also includes our, through a steady process of walking with God, being transformed to be more and more like Christ.

And Christ Himself admonishes us to "be DRESSED IN READINESS, and keep your lamps lit. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks." (Luke 12:35-36).

We're given a reason for the armor, for the putting on of Jesus Christ and being dressed in readiness. Ephesians 6:12 says "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places". If, as God's children, we laid aside the deeds of the flesh . . . the sin that entangles and ensnares us, and put on Christ, think of the souls that would be drawn to Him through us!!!!

Yes, we do have an enemy, but in Christ we have no cause to fear.

Psalm 91 . . . we do not have to be afraid of the terror by night or the arrow by day - - He is our refuge and dwelling place; He gives the angels charge concerning us . . . to guard us and bear us up in their hands; we will tread upon the lion and the cobra; we are delivered and secure simply because we have known His name . . .
I John 5 - whatever is born of God overcomes the world
All of Psalm 121
and so many more verses that I would never be able to name here . . . suffice it to say we have the prophecy of how all this ends . . . God wins! (in fact, He has won already). What a blessing He's given to us through His Son to allow us to not only witness His victory, to be partakers of it through His unexplainable grace and mercy, but to even play a part as the cracked pots He graciously shines His Light through.

Yes, we have an enemy. An enemy that one day soon God will crush under our feet (Romans 16:20). But victory is right now for those who don the proper attire!


"but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. " I Cor. 15:57-58