"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Less than one week ago, our dear friends, Greg and Tesney Davis, were denied their request to adopt Kirill. A judge ruled it would be better for Kirill, a precious 4 year old little boy with Down Syndrome, to remain in an impoverished orphanage full of other children with special needs for the remainder of his life - in a country where children with special needs are discarded and viewed as unworthy of being a part of society. If you're like me, you don't even know what to do with that!
But our friends... they are strong in the Lord and in his mighty power! This adoption has been a year long battle. They have been assembling their armor piece, by piece, by heavy piece.
And the Enemy... he has been scheming since the day they said yes to giving Kirill a loving family.
And it just so happens that the authorities and rulers and powers of this dark world are working through the authorities and rulers and powers of Kirill's country. The day of evil came in a courtroom halfway around the world. But my friends... they were able to stand their ground. They had done EVERYTHING. And they stood. Heartbroken and devastated, they stood. And they praised. And they gave glory to God. They said that they would, no matter what. And they did... because they were prepared. The belt of truth was buckled around their waists long before they entered that courtroom. The truth that "God sets the lonely in families." The truth that God is "the helper of the fatherless." The truth that our Jesus is "one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness." The truth that "God is faithful." I have watched my friends as this process has turned them inside out and head over heels in love with Jesus. Without that gospel of peace, they would not have been ready. They rejoice in their salvation and are clinging tightly to the sword of the Spirit.
But most incredibly, they have taken up the shield of faith. They are fighting for Kirill. They are filing an appeal to the Supreme Court of Kirill's country. They are hiring lawyers across the ocean. They've rallied thousands in prayer. And I am believing that every. flaming. arrow. of the evil one WILL be extinguished!!
Please stand with our friends in this battle through your fervent prayers on Kirill's behalf. This case is bigger than the Davis family and Kirill. It will set a precedent for other families hoping to bring home their precious children from the same region.
As Tesney said.... The FIGHT is ON!
How honored and blessed I am to call these people my friends and neighbors, my brother and sister. They are just broken, imperfect people desperately seeking to follow their Lord and walk the path that He has laid before them with courage and strength. And because of this, after they have done everything, they will stand.
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