Ephesians 6:12-13 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.  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.

So, how many times a day do you put your armor on and then take it off without even really thinking about it?  It is great and right to clothe yourself with the word of God and to spend intentional quality time in prayer, but have you left open doors in other areas that are holding you back?  Unforgiveness and bitterness can be an open door. Is there something eating you up that someone said or did in the past? Give it to Him. Don’t allow it to hold you back.

Remember, “garbage in/garbage out!”  If you want to be successful in life and if you want to serve God and have His blessing, you must be intentional about what you are feeding your mind!  The music you listen to, the books you read, and the shows you watch on TV will all make a difference in your life!  You may think it is ok because you don’t live that way, and it is just a TV show, but you are wearing down your views of right and wrong if you are filling your mind with something that tells you that it is ok.  I know, I know this is 2026 and that all seems so old school, but look where we are!  How do you think we got here?  When your convictions are slowly worn down, you don’t even realize it!  I remember taking the TV completely out of our house when my son was about 2, and then my uncle came over and wanted to watch the football game, so we brought it out.  The first commercial I saw was a commercial for bras.  I pulled my husband aside and said, “You know…… if a woman showed up at our door in her bra and underwear and wanted to come in our house, I would give her a piece of my mind and shut the door, and yet there is one in our living room!” We have come a long way, but it’s not in a good way in so many aspects. It may seem trivial, but it is wrong! Think for a moment about it this way ~ would it bother you if Jesus were physically sitting with you while you listen to your music, read whatever you read, and watch whatever you are watching? Set your standard higher than what the world has set for a standard!  No, it may not be easy at first, but God will give you the strength to do what He calls you to do!  Maybe you feel that you are successful right now, but think of where you maybe could be……

There are good movies out there and great books that aren’t full of garbage, so ~” make the best choices!”  Your choices today can make a huge difference in your tomorrows!  Ask God what you may need to change in your life to be all you were created to be for Him!

Quote:  “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered you will never grow.”  Ronald E. Osborn