The Armor Project

By Jannie V. Cudjo-Moore

"PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:11- 13 NKJV

Can beauty come out of ashes? Is there anything too hard for God? Is he not the King of Glory? He spoke to me, saying, "You are at war, Child of Zion, cover thyself in the Whole Armor." But where was it? This project was my response to the Lord's call of me to an in-depth study of the Whole Armor of God. This project gives way to an intimate rediscovery and understanding of my own human condition. The Lord had not forgotten about me, and in His infinite wisdom He had a plan. With my mind and heart open, He took each piece with its own curriculum, circumstances, and set of challenges, putting them back in position in my life from the inside out. Again I ask, can beauty come out of ashes? Yes, I am a living witness that it can!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: May 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9780228889212

Jannie V. Cudjo-Moore

Jannie V. Cudjo-Moore has spent her professional career working with troubled youth, providing tools of empowerment through education, realistic coping skills, and mentoring. She resides in Shreveport, Louisiana."Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJVI can hear the Lord speaking to me, "be strong, have courage, and don't fear them. I am your God, I am with you, and I will not leave or forsake you. Wait for me Jannie. Stay strong, take heart, and be of good cheer for I have overcome the world."Remember, we are each other's keeper, and the only time we should be looking down on someone is when we are helping them up.

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Copyright © 2023 by Jannie V. Cudjo-Moore

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Tellwell Talent

www.tellwell.ca

ISBN

978-0-2288-8920-5 (Hardcover)

978-0-2288-8919-9 (Paperback)

978-0-2288-8921-2 (eBook)

This book is dedicated to the loving memory of my grandmother Jannie V. Taylor-Green … thank you for always believing in me. I miss you!

I am not writing from a place of perfection, but instead healing. The word says, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9 New King James Version).

I know I can do nothing in my own energy, but because of the love, mercy, and grace of God, I am equipped with what I need for this day. I can look to the hills and there you are. Thank you, Abba! There is none like you! Truly, all my help comes from the Good Lord above.

–Jannie V.

Contents

Prologue

The Belt Of Truth

Breastplate Of Righteousness

Shoes Of Peace

Shield Of Faith

Helmet Of Salvation

The Sword Of The Spirit, The Word Of God

The Whole Armor And A Whole Lot Of Prayer

Epilogue

Prologue

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For 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. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which, you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

(Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV)

The Armor Project is my response to the Lord’s call for an in-depth study of the Whole Armor of God. I did wonder why, after so much study in women groups, Bible classes, and my own personal devotion time, did the Lord want me to revisit this topic? There was something there—I could feel it in the spiritual atmosphere. It was pronounced, overshadowing, and there was a distinctive ringing in my ears saying, go try it again. What had I missed? Why now? The inherent force of the Holy Spirit held my attention and at His Word, I was going on this unplanned journey to answer all those questions. This opportunity, unbeknownst to me at the time, became a sounding board for my truth as I bared my soul concerning the state of my life. This project gave way to an intimate rediscovery of my own human condition. This would be my opportunity to make real changes and begin to peel back the layers to finally confront those things that had separated me from a full life in Christ. Lord knows, I was long overdue to dress my spirit, like I dress my body, every day. With my head out of the sand, it was time to face—me.

In between these many written pages comes an honest assessment concerning my own spiritual readiness. One by one, the Lord took each piece of armor with its own curriculum, circumstances, and set of challenges and put it back on me. He began by teaching me how to wear that armor: through faith, with courage, and in understanding. He rebuilt me from the inside, out. Answering God’s call reawakened my soul from a state of dormancy and stagnation. For me, the lesson was learning to overcome my thoughts. Without question, I had to know who and whose I am, in every area of my life. The Book of Isaiah (26:3 NKJV) says, You will keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because He trusts in you. Always praying and watching, I go to work living my life in what God has given me: truth, love, peace, faith, renewed mind, and the Word. I believe God’s Holy Armor provides you and I with everything we need to be victorious in any situation—if we’d only look to Him.

When I was in the fourth grade, my mom gave me a diary for my birthday. In those early years it served as a fun way to write about my day at school, interesting things I may have done throughout the week, all kinds of questions, and finally, my little feelings. This gift would ultimately become a permanent part of my prayer life, my expression, and a vehicle for my spiritual exploration. Over the years, in between the many pages of my journals, I developed a sacred way to communicate. Prayer. It would ultimately lead to those deeper conversations with God about who He is, why I need Him, and how do I come to know Him in a pardon of my sins. Here, on this journey now, He would show me how to wear His armor while earning my sight back—to see all the things He so lovingly wanted to share with me.

Where there is no vision men perish. (Proverbs 29:18 NKJV)

December 18, 1991

Grandma,

In the time when you are weak God is strong. Take up the Whole Armor that you may stand in these evil days. Gear up with the Belt of Truth, then put on your Breastplate of Righteousness, on your feet is Peace, shield yourself with Faith, protect your head with the Helmet of Salvation, and in your hand is the Sword, which is the Word of God.

Love your Granddaughter,

Jannie V. Cudjo

I was twenty-two years old when I wrote this loving message to my grandmother. It’s hard to believe that this was given to her thirty-two years ago. My, how time flies! I found it in her Bible, still neatly folded between the pages. It said, A Message for You. I took my time reflecting on this forgotten message, with plenty of smiles, as those sweet memories went straight to my heart. In hindsight, and hidden in plain sight, I did not recognize what God was doing. All along He had been preparing me for this moment, right here and now. Isn’t that just like the infinite wisdom of God, who brings things full circle in His time. When He is ready for us to see, we will see. Lord, there is none like you.

God’s love never fails.

The Belt Of Truth

You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

(John 8:32 NKJV)

The core foundation of Christian faith is rooted in truth. No wonder the Bible places the Belt of Truth as the first piece of armor. Truth is essential because it holds together the armor as an intricate unit for our protection. This vital coverage is like both oil and glue—it keeps the armor pliable, yet strong. The commitment to live a life in Christ is more than words, it is also actions and deeds. It is a representation of Christian character that embodies a belief system that impacts every part of my walk with God.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines truth this way: quality, or state of being true, that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality, and a fact or belief that is accepted as true. During my self-evaluation of the Belt of Truth in my life, I contemplated the who, what, when, where, why, and how, around me. It was obvious at the beginning of this project that I had a lot of work to do. I could not move forward in truth without first acknowledging and accepting all the shortcomings of my past. In truth, I didn’t want to see or hear it. However, if I was going to move past it, I would need to see those things for what they were and let them go. In this process there would be much for me to learn as I expanded my view through the Word of God.

From the moment that this self-written exercise presented itself, I have wondered why the Lord put the armor before me. Over the years I’ve done multiple studies, participated in Bible classes, women’s study groups, and countless private