Tiring day today as I went to run with SO, RSM and Ong. We jog to the 2.4 running route and time ourselves as we ran. It was disappointing for me as I clocked 12 min 8 sec which is short of silver. I realized that I have not been improving ever since my 1148 time. I need to work harder and train so that I got a chance to get promoted to CPL sooner than 3 months and btw as of first June I am promoted to LCP. Finally but it is quite screwed up as I am like about 5 months to ORD. But what to do, life does not agree with us and all we can do is to make the best of it and be the best we can be. When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade out of it and drink it.
Think I shall share some bible study which I have done which is on the armor of GOD from Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. "
Shield Of Faith
The first piece of armor we take up is the shield of faith. The shield of faith quenches or extinguishes all of the fiery darts from the enemy.
"Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." Ephesians 6:16 NKJV
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV
Helmet Of Salvation
"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17 NIV
Considering the strategic value of our minds, God has given us the helmet of salvation to protect us from the enemy. This helmet functions by the peace of God, which is engaged when our minds are focused on God and trusting in him. Consider these verses that link God's peace to our minds:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
3You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
The helmet, like the other pieces of armor, is dependent on our faith in God and his promises.
Breastplate Of Righteous
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place" Ephesians 6:14NIV
Our faith is the power link that connects our breastplate with God's infinite power. By believing in Jesus, we receive all the power and benefits of being righteous in God's sight (see below for examples). If we don't believe that we have God's righteousness, then our breastplate will be ineffective.
Our sin has an associated "spiritual nakedness" with it that repels God from us. When Adam and Eve sinned, they lost their covering of purity and became spiritually and physically naked. Their sin and nakedness separated them from fellowship with God. Since the wages of sin are death (Romans 6:23), God mercifully slaughtered an animal (s) and made clothes of skin to cover Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21).
God's actions foreshadowed the lasting sacrifice he would make by sending Jesus to die on the cross for mankind. The blood of Christ provides atonement for our sin and clothes us with a righteousness (symbolized by a breastplate) that covers our spiritual nakedness. We can now boldly approach God's throne without fear of punishment (Romans 5:1; Hebrews 4:16).
Another important function of the breastplate of righteousness is revealed by the action of Christ's blood on our conscience. The blood of Jesus spiritually washes us clean from our sin (Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:22). This cleansing action removes potential "footholds" that would have caused us to be vulnerable to the devil's attacks. With the breastplate of righteousness covering us through Christ's blood, the devil has nothing in us to exploit (John 14:30)."Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth..." Ephesians 6:14 NKJV
A Christian's survival in the world requires a firm grounding in the absolute truth of the Bible. The power of truth is that it sets us free by breaking the power of the devil's lies and the deception they create (John 8:31-32). Just as with Eve in Eden, the devil downplays the consequences of sin and promotes its pleasures. Firmly rooted in the truth, we are best equipped to recognize the lies, resist the devil and do God's will.
Battle Shoes
"And your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace" Ephesians 6:15 NIV
"And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace" Ephesians 6:15 AMP
The spiritual footwear that comes from the "Gospel of Peace" gives us the firm-footed stability, promptness and readiness we'll need to face our agile adversaries. The term "Gospel of Peace" refers to the peace we have with God through Jesus: "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:1-2NIV).
Sword Of The Spirit
"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17NKJV
The Sword of the Spirit is a powerful weapon of spiritual warfare. The sword is formed by speaking God's word. When we use the sword properly, God's power and resources are available to us. It is the only form of offence we have and it is important as we could not just keep defending and not attacking.