I began research on this project when my daughter was born, four years ago. After much research, writing, more research, trying to stay positive, and writing again I finally finished the first draft two years later. In these last two years, I have been busy editing, researching agents, developing the website you are gazing at, and re-editing.

I am now in the process of sending out my proposal to agents and editors. I have included three sections of that proposal on this page to show people what this book is about. If I cannot find an agent, then I will pitch my idea directly to publishers. If that does not work, then I will publish it myself. But one way or another, Lord willing, this book will be completed, which is why this webpage is titled "Upcoming Book."

Overview

Seven Steps to Prepare for Battle: Utilizing the Armor of God in Spiritual Combat is an extended metaphor where Paul’s armor analogy is placed in the context of today’s world. I expand on the armor by thoroughly defining each piece individually, explaining the possible analogies to provide further explanation. Advice is also given on how to use that piece of God’s armor to daily engage in battle with the forces of the Devil.

Seven Steps to Prepare for Battle is divided into seven sections, one for each of the pieces of armor, and a concluding section. The first two chapters of each section give the proper background needed for a particular doctrine, chapter three gives analogies that show how the doctrine is like a piece of soldier’s armor, and the fourth chapter summarizes that section by giving advice on how to use that part of the armor in daily battle. The final section, though different from the pattern of the previous sections, still includes four chapters and combines these separate parts into one cohesive unit known as the Armor of God.

Seven Steps to Prepare for Battle is a necessary book for Christians because, like it or not, all of us are involved in spiritual warfare. It is difficult to narrow down exactly which Christians should read this book because all can benefit. Our situations might differ, but we are all part of one Body, with one Enemy who attempts to cripple that Body. In this book, I attempt to give the reader the tools they need to be successful in those battles.

Shortly after college, my music ministry partner and I gave a message to a youth group on the armor of God. From that moment, this has been a topic dear to my heart. Though I have several book ideas that I have outlined, I felt I could write most efficiently on the armor of God at the time I began this project. I felt I could write on this subject because I have been engaged in the battle, either consciously or unconsciously, for most of my life. Though I may be relatively young—mid-thirties—I have built up a number of life experiences which I pray can benefit others in their spiritual march. The manuscript of this book is completed and is approximately 122,500 words.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Section One

Belt of Truth

1. The World’s Truth

2. Discovering Biblical Truth

3. Our Armor: The Belt of Truth

4. Using Truth Daily

Section Two

Breastplate of Righteousness

5. The Righteousness of God

6. Righteousness Revealed

7. Our Armor: Breastplate of Righteousness

8. Using Righteousness Daily

Section Three

Feet Clad with Preparation of Gospel of Peace

9. Have I got News for You!

10. Heavenly Home

11. Our Armor: Feet Fitted with the Gospel

12. Using the Gospel Daily

Section Four

Shield of Faith

13. A Leap of Faith

14. Just Married: Righteousness and Faith

15. Our Armor: Shield of Faith

16. Using Faith Daily

Section Five

Helmet of Salvation

17. Saved By the Blood

18. The Doctrine of Hell

19. Our Armor: Helmet of Salvation

20. Using Salvation Daily

Section Six

Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God

21. The Holy Spirit

22. The Word: Logos, Rhema, and Scripture

23. Our Armor: The Sword of the Spirit

24. Using the Spirit Daily

Section Seven

Pray in the Spirit

25. Importance of Prayer

26. Trojan Horse #1: Pride

27. Trojan Horse #2: Self-centeredness

28. Interdependency of the Armor

Appendix

Chapter Outline

The INTRODUCTION introduces the Armor of God by briefly discussing the verses that lead up to the armor passage. The topics dealt with here are that of putting on the armor in God’s strength, opposing Satan, and realizing that it is a spiritual, not a physical battle we wage.

SECTION ONE: BELT OF TRUTH first looks at the world’s view of truth throughout history in chapter one, followed by a contrasting chapter on God’s truth as seen in His Word. Chapter three discusses some of the possible lessons to be learned about truth through belt analogies such as the belt holding the armor together, the belt as a show of power, and the belt helping during sexual attacks. The section concludes with a restatement of the lessons learned and advice given on utilizing the belt daily.

SECTION TWO: BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS discusses the righteousness of God that is beyond our reach in chapter five, then how that very righteousness can be found through Jesus Christ in chapter six. Chapter seven looks at breastplate analogies such as protection of our heart—particularly the heart as a blood circulator, our spiritual thoughts, and courage—showing us God, and showing who it is that we fight for. Section two concludes with lessons on using this part of the armor daily.

SECTION THREE: FEET CLAD WITH PREPARATION OF GOSPEL OF PEACE begins by looking at what the Gospel is, particularly the Gospel of the Kingdom. This is followed by a more thorough discussion on what the Kingdom of Heaven is going be like. Feet analogies are then considered, such as our feet being firmly planted and having the strength to endure the long marches. The section ends with tips on using our protected feet daily.

SECTION FOUR: SHIELD OF FAITH starts with a chapter on faith, explaining what it is, where it originates and why it is important. This is followed by a vital discussion that joins faith with righteousness in what is called justification. The analogy chapter includes such lessons as using faith to put God on display, our faith providing protection for others, and using our shield to launch an offensive. The section concludes with daily applications.

SECTION FIVE: HELMET OF SALVATION first looks at what salvation includes, followed by a chapter on Hell, which is what we are saved from. Some of the helmet analogies that are seen in chapter nineteen include the helmet protecting from a death blow, as well as providing protection to our faces, ears, neck, and mind. The section concludes by giving lessons for our daily benefit.

SECTION SIX: SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD looks at each component separately with a chapter devoted to the Holy Spirit, another on the Greek word for word, and a third on the analogies for the sword. Some of these include the sword providing controlled attacks, offering warnings, as well as looking at similar weapons and the analogy that they provide. All of these components are put together in the last chapter as lessons are given for our daily battles.

SECTION SEVEN: PUTTING THE ARMOR TOGETHER begins with a chapter on prayer, emphasizing its foundational importance. I then take a look at what I call two Trojan Horses, which are sins that originate within us and Satan aims to take to the extreme. The two Trojan Horses are pride and self-centeredness. This section concludes with a chapter that demonstrates how interdependent the pieces of armor are.

An APPENDIX is added to simply provide extra tools for the reader in the form of Scripture. A list of verses is provided which consists of words from our Commander-in-chief, Jesus Christ.