Speak: Don't be Afraid

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel

Ephesians 6.19

 I was talking to some of the youth about how I missed out on a lot of opportunities because of fear. What kind of fear you ask? The fear to speak. To say what I needed to say. Growing up I was always quite timid. Afraid to speak up for myself when someone would put me down. Afraid to give my opinion because of the fear that someone would disagree or make fun of what I had to say. I was even afraid to ask for things or say that I wanted to do something, because of the fear of being told no.

 But today, I after attending the talent show, I was able to dominate my fears. I left all of my fears to raise my voice on that stage. From now on, when your thoughts tell you not to speak, speak even stronger. When God puts words in your mouth, don't be afraid to speak. Because the words He places in your mouth, can change someone's life. 

                                                 So, Speak. Don't be afraid. 

Do You Have Your Armor On?

 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

   When a person goes to battle, what is the one thing they cannot leave behind? Their suit of armor. Imagine, if a person was to go onto the battlefield without his armor, what would happen? Even if this person was very intelligent, fast, and strong, if he is she does not have their armor on, the first shot or even the tiniest spear will leave them flat on the ground. The same thing applies to us. 

   When we do not have the armor of God in our lives, what happens? We are easily hurt by people's words. One negative word makes the person break down in tears or fall to pieces. 

   

   A person without the armor of God is easily discouraged, when things start to go wrong. When something does not go the way he or she planned, she collapses and feels lost.

   A person without the armor of God feels helpless and doesn't believe in themselves, so they feel like they need to hide behind their friends or behind a boy or girl to feel secure. (Picture this: On a battlefield, if you don't have the suit of armor and your just in a t-shirt and jeans. Your going to hide behind someone with their armor on so you can feel protected). 

   However, when a person has the armor of God, problems will come. But the difference is they will not be overcome by the problem, but rather they overcome the problem. When negative words or comments come from friends or family members, the person's armor blocks all comments from reaching his or heart. This person is able to resist on the spears that the devil throws. 

   How about you? Do you have your armor on?