Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
As Paul finished the teaching on the filling of the Spirit in relation to husbands, wives, children, masters, and slaves, he then turns to the battle in the world that all believers must fight. We are in a battle against the devil for the home and our relationships, and he uses the world, the flesh, and his schemes in it.
Satan tempted our first ancestors and caused them to fall from a perfect relationship with their Holy God. This battle of evil has been in the world ever since that time. This is why Paul encouraged the Ephesians, and us also, to beware of what is happening by telling us, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Our strength must come from the Lord, and we must live by His power. Our enemy is the devil, and he has many “wiles” which can be translated “schemes.” He attacks us in many ways, and some of his schemes are discouragement, anger, bitterness, wrath, and animosity toward others, to name just a few. The number one tool that he uses is the same one that caused him to fall in the beginning, and that is pride.
The believer should have no room for pride in his life. We are bought with a price, and we are not our own because Jesus had to pay the ultimate price to redeem us from sin. That same sin which began in the Garden of Eden is still rampant in the world today. We as believers must seek God’s protection and help to overcome in the battle in which we are all involved. The first defense is to truly be “born again.” Unless you have Christ as your Savior, there is no victory in the battle over sin. The unbeliever has already lost the battle and is condemned. John 3:17-18 shows this clearly. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
As believers, we are involved in a spiritual battle, and for this reason, we Christians must seek the Lord to have His protection and power in the fight. We greatly need Him to help us stand up against the schemes of the devil. We must realize this when those trials overwhelm us, and we must pray for God’s protection and help in this battle.
Bible Reading for the Year
August 18th, Psalms 116-118; 1 Corinthians 2
Prayer Needs
Please continue to pray for Faye Smith, Jack Gargis’ sister. She has been transferred to a nursing home. She is doing some better but still has a long way to go. The family appreciates your prayers.
Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans. She is at home and getting stronger. She was able to have the chemo treatment. Pray that all will go well after it. The doctor said that she needs to rest to build her body up.
Linda Franks’ surgery has been rescheduled for August 31st.
Continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. Please keep praying for complete healing. She is still having side effects from the cancer. She had a Keytruda treatment and is also taking an inhibiter pill. Pray there will not be any bad side effects from the pill and that the treatment will be effective against the cancer.
Thank you for praying for Dr. Joe Jordan. He was able to go home from the hospital. He is on new medication. Please continue to pray for him.
Please continue to pray for Vickie Dalton. Pray for God’s healing. She was in the hospital to have a drainage tube put into her lung. She was able to go home but needs our prayers.
Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren. She is facing some difficult challenges.
Please continue to pray for Robbie Harvey who has MAC lung disease. The doctor has prescribed a new medication, but he is not tolerating it well.
Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve.
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Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia