Our Spiritual Umbrella

As believers, we walk under the umbrella of God’s power, His authority, His Word, His love and His gracious daily mercies combined. God's original will and design for His people is for us to have an impermeable shelter that completely covers us at all times.

But an umbrella only functions to shelter you if you are aware that you have it, and if you know how to use it. It's effective application also depends on its structure being intact, with no rips, holes or bent frames or distortions present in the umbrella.

When our ‘spiritual umbrella’ seemingly has holes in it or becomes bent and broken and these conditions remain ongoing, it is many times because of ignorance of the believer (and unbeliever) - intentionally or unknowingly.

Whether it is a calculated attack, or in navigating normal life, the effective activation of our spritual shelter begins with a true partnership with God.

We begin by acknowledging Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior through His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection, which have made him head over every single power and authority. This means Christ is sovereign over all forms of powers and authority, in all realms, at all levels, across all time and even outside of natural chronological time. Jesus Himself declared that, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me...” (Matthew 28:18)

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” (Colossians 2:10)

It is important that we are aware that the Word of God says that we as believers have also been “brought to fullness” in Christ. However, the full revelation to our souls and complete understanding by our hearts and minds of the magnitude and depth of this spiritual reality, is not immediate when we confess Christ as Lord and are saved.

That is only step one.

To walk in the fullness found only in Christ, we must grow daily in our knowledge and understanding of the Word of God.

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

To not to do so, is to willingly subject ourselves to a life of spiritual ignorance and weakness, fully susceptible to all forms of attacks designed to destroy both body and soul. It opens the door to fear, greed, powerlessness, anxiety, poverty, faithlessness, cowardice, sickness, hopelessness and conditions contrary to the will of God for His people.

Jesus said “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Anything that does not convey an abundant life that magnifies Jesus is contrary to the will of God. Recognize that abundance is evident in well-being and well-doing.

Jesus also said “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:19)

As believers, we embody this authority when we become aware of it first and understand it, meditate on it to internalize it and then use our words to declare it and come into agreement with it by our faith in Christ through our ensuing action.

The Bible says “…for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” (Psalm 138:2 KJV) and Jeremiah 1:12 states “…for I will hasten my word to perform it.”

The Word of God is the definitive guide for each person, as the Bible says it is “a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105)

Activating our Spiritual Umbrella:

1. Gaining knowledge of the Word of God by diligent study

2. Seeking understanding through being taught, by inspired men and women of God instructed by God Himself, prayer, meditation and through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

3. Engraving the Word in our hearts and internalizing it so it becomes a part of who we are and our daily compass

4. Speaking and decreeing with our voices and staying in faith

5. Activating the promises of the Word with unwavering belief followed by corresponding faith-guided action.

Also important is that we consistently stay connected to “the vine”.

Jesus said “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

We must always be aware that we walk in light and power, but this power is only a derived force from the true and living God.

Outside of His divinity, love, power, authority, grace and mercy we are powerless, and lack the authority to effectively activate His power in our lives and the lives of others, but the believer who stays connected to the Source knows, “I can do all things, **through Christ,** who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13), with the principal condition being Christ within us and living according to His will.

Be blessed.