FRIDAY 10 JULY 2020

FRIDAY 10 2020

Good morning friends,

Before the Covid 19 pandemic, the term PPE was one that few had heard of. Now it has become part and parcel of our daily language. We’ve hear of how important the wearing of it has become for those working in the care services. And we too have had to equip ourselves to a greater or lesser degree with some form of PPE.

The wearing of face coverings has become compulsory now when we travel on public transport, and in shops, and where it might have felt strange at first, now we just do it automatically. Same with wearing protective gloves, using hand sanitisers and wipes.

As we think about how we safely re-open Braehead House and the Lodge House, the Board of Trustees along with myself, are having to ensure that we follow correct safety procedures to ensure all who come here are protected from the virus.

Of course there are other things to take into consideration, perhaps even more important, that is to remind ourselves that each day we should also be donning God’s Spiritual PPE.

We find His recommendations for our protection not in any government or World Health Organisation directives, but in the Word of God.

“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength. Put on God’s armour so that you can make a stand against the tricks of the devil. We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens.

Therefore, pick up the full armour of God so that you can stand your ground on the evil day and after you have done everything possible to still stand.

So stand with the belt of truth around your waist, justice as your breastplate, and put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to spread the good news of peace. Above all, carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.

Offer prayers and petitions in the Spirit all the time. Stay alert by hanging in there and praying for all believers.”( Ephesians 6:10-18.)

I do not think anyone would disagree that the times we are living in right now are scary, frustrating, uncertain and, for many, very lonely.

As the battle to defeat the Covid 19 battle continues to be fought each day on the earth, so too there is a spiritual battle taking place in the heavenly realms.

How important then, to put on God’s PPE each day, that we may know the full protection that will never ever be in short supply.

So, as you make sure you have your face masks on, and your hand sanitisers and protective gloves packed and ready before you step out the door, take a moment to make sure you also have your spiritual PPE in place.

And the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit will be with you.