Dear readers,
This is my first update to you concerning my missionary work here in Costa Rica. I have been here for a little over a week at the time that I’m writing this, and God’s hand is obviously at work in big ways and in the little details as well.
I am living and working primarily on a small farm and rehabilitation center out in the jungle of Los Chiles. We also will have the chance to do some ministry work with some school clubs for children as well as The Church here in Los Chiles. I cannot say it enough, but It is so beautiful out here, it’s been a massive blessing to get out of all the noise that the American culture creates and cultivates so well. You really do feel God’s presence in your life when all the distractions have all been taken away.
I want to ask for specific prayers for my team, our hosts, and the leadership within my squad as well.
If you read my last letter to you, you would have seen that spiritual warfare is a very real and daunting thing. I’ve now experienced it firsthand and I have a desire to teach and exhort any of you that don’t take understand the weight of the matter.
In Ephesians 6:11-12, Paul writes to the church of Ephesus and tells them to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
This war is very real. I don’t say that to frighten you, we have no need for fear. God has already won the war. Yet the battle will rage on until Christ’s return, and we need to put our best foot forward as we walk in this life. We must not just focus our eyes on what we can see.
In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Paul writes again to the church in Corinth and says “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”
Scripture very clearly tells us how we are to fight, how to defend would be the better terminology. Back in Ephesians 6 verse 13, it says “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand firm.”
Satan and his dark angels are everywhere. They are here to oppose God’s work, to pervert God’s word, to hinder the Gospel, and to snare the righteous.
When most people think of the armor of God they think of Sunday school. Maybe a flannel graph depicting the different armor pieces, and explaining each one in a very child-like manner. Or you might think of Bible-Man, the Christian mix of Star Wars and Batman. Which sadly in my opinion leaves a bunch of silly memories in my head and doesn’t get me amped up ready for battle.
I want to invite you to renew your mind with me today. To seriously ask God to reshape what it looks like to fight alongside Him and His Angels.
Let’s prepare for war.
Back in this time period, Paul used the Roman soldiers’ armor as a framework for his analogy of The Armor of God, let’s pick it apart, shall we?
The Belt of Truth is fastened on first. It holds the garments together and was the foundation that other pieces of the armor could hang out attach to. The Gospel and the freedom it brings is at the very center of our defense. It cannot be shaken or removed.
The Breastplate of Righteousness placed next. This refers to the sanctifying righteousness of Christ that enters into our life through salvation. This piece of equipment guard’s a believer’s heart against the vicious attacks of the devil.
Shoes of Peace: This is not speaking of the spreading of the Gospel, these couple verses in Ephesians talk about standing firm, digging in your heels so to say, not advancing. This is actually talking about the believer’s stability which comes from the Gospel which gives him peace to hold his ground. The roman boots that were worn back then actually had spikes just like soccer cleats so they were able to stand more effectively.
The Shield of Faith is massive. It covers your whole body. Our faith in God is something we can rely on, to lean on in order to take the blows from the enemy. The constant fiery arrows from Satan are always flying towards us. Do we let them hit us? Or do we rely on our resolute faith in the Lord to protect us?
The last two are the most important.
Having one’s head guarded by the Helmet of Salvation gives a sense of safety. We have safety in the present here and now and future deliverance as well at the end of the age.
Finally, you take up The Sword of the Spirit. Specified as the “Word of God”. Scripture is the best weapon against anything The Enemy throws your way. Yet we must Speak, whisper, shout prayer at him, he must cower away. He has no place here.
Paul goes on to say in verse 18 “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”
Keep alert. Don’t take a day off. Don’t get lazy.
I’m sure we can all think of someone who is always working, and even when they stop working they fill their time up with another project or anything to keep busy.
Imagine that work ethic, and flip it on its head. What if that’s how we prayed?
It says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “pray without ceasing”.
When do we let our guard down? That’s when our brothers and sisters ought to fill in for us.
When I collapsed to the ground my squad went to war for me on my behalf. Do you do the same for those around you?
I want to ask if you’d be willing to pray the Armor of God over my squad. I sadly don’t remember to do that every day. I know our fight is not over. It’s just begun, and we need your prayers to get through the day.
I love you all, I hope to write to you again soon.
-Mitchell
