BROADCASTS.com

b'Ash rained from the sky like a grim snow, the crimson lands desolate. A permanent red haze stained the horizon, darker than the sunrise. I could only guess it was time for the sun to rise. I hadn\\u2019t seen the actual sun for years; ash and the ubiquitous red glow of the beast choked out the beautiful golden orb.\\n\\u201cBut no longer,\\u201d I thought. I adjusted my armor\\u2014the armor He gave me from His very own armory. His words echoed in my head, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I will be with you always.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d I tapped my scabbard. It was time the beast fell.\\nI strode down the dusty road out of town, eyes set unwavering on the mountains the beast had claimed as its home. Soon the road crumbled into dry stone fragments, the red-brown sands slipping through their cracks like lava. The path became steep until all around me was mountain. And then there it was: the beast\\u2019s cavern.\\nAs I approached, the beast grinned in welcoming. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Hello, child. Are you bored?\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Its eyes turned red, and a red mist spilled from its lips. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Come\\u2014let me entertain you.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\nMy eyes widened, and I cringed as the mist hit my armor. But nothing happened\\u2014my thoughts remained clear. \\u201cHe protected me, just like He said He would,\\u201d I thought with a smile.\\nThe cocky curl in its lip turned to a snarl. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153You wear His armor. Traitor!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\nThe beast lunged. But, as if I was guided by an invisible hand, I dodged nimbly, then I felt my sword swing\\u2014hard. The blade ripped open the beast\\u2019s scaly chest and a terrible scream opened its maw. The beast collapsed to the red stone, body shuddering with every breath.\\n\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153You think you\\u2019re safe?\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d the beast rasped. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153My master will send more beasts to your land. Bigger! Stronger!\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\n\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I know.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d I sheathed the sword. Stared down at the dying beast. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153But I now serve a new Master\\u2014one who defeated you, and He will bring an end to your master as well.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d\\nThe beast laughed. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153We\\u2019ll see.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Despite its confident words, a slight glimmer of doubt sparked in its eyes. I turned and walked out of the cavern, hope beginning to thump in tune to my heart. On the horizon, the red haze and ash dimmed, revealing the golden glow of the sun. \\u2022 Linnae Conkel\\n\\u2022 This story is an allegory of how God is stronger than all the powers of darkness, and through Jesus, He equips us to stand firm when the enemy tries to lead us away from Him.\\n\\u2022 Did you know the armor in Ephesians 6 is like the Messiah\\u2019s armor in the Old Testament (Isaiah 59 and elsewhere)? How might it give you comfort to know that Jesus is the One who defeats evil? How might it give you courage to know that His death and resurrection have secured His victory?\\n\\u2022 In Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul talks about the spiritual armor God equips Christians with to help us stand against the enemy\\u2019s schemes. What do the six pieces of this armor signify?\\n\\u2022 Have you ever felt like the enemy was attacking you or clouding your judgment? You can bring these battles to Jesus by submitting to God and resisting the devil (James 4:7-10). As we align ourselves with God\\u2019s truth, He protects us from the lies of the enemy. \\nPut on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil\\u2019s schemes. Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\n1Kgs.19|Ps.119.25'