Welcome to Faithfully Thinking Out Loud — where faith meets holy snark and spiritual warfare gets real.I’m your host, Sue Bailey, here to help you think biblically, laugh faithfully, and stay battle-ready in a world that keeps pretending evil is just make-believe.

This week’s episode drops right before Halloween — a time when the world calls it fun, but heaven calls it a fight.

We’re talking about disguises, doorways, and the devil’s favorite night of the year.How the enemy slips through cracks we think are harmless, and how believers can bar those doors with prayer, faith, and a bit of sanctified sass.

So grab your armor, adjust your helmet, and maybe hide the candy — because this episode is coming for the darkness, and it’s not knocking politely.

“Armor Up, Buttercup: The Field Manual for When the Battle Gets Real”

When the enemy turns up the volume, your faith can’t stay on mute.

Armor Up, Buttercup: A Field Manual for Spiritual Warfare is your battle-ready guide to surviving — and thriving — when hell takes aim.This isn’t cozy devotion time with pastel coffee cups; it’s a field briefing for believers who understand that the armor of God wasn’t meant for decoration — it’s combat gear.

You’ll learn how to identify enemy tactics, guard your spiritual perimeter, and stay grounded when the world goes sideways.Every page mixes Scripture, strategy, and a splash of holy snark — because victory doesn’t have to be boring.

So if you feel the pressure building — or you’re walking through a week where darkness seems extra noisy — it’s time to dig in and suit up.Grab your copy of Armor Up, Buttercup at Lulu.com, and get ready to fight from a place of peace.

The enemy’s been warned — and this time, you’re not showing up unarmed.

Lyrics: Lock the Gate (No Room for Darkness)

Verse 1

Midnight knocks on the neighborhood door,Whispers say “just play some more.”But I’ve seen what hides behind that grin—Fear dressed up, trying to sneak back in.

Pre-Chorus

I don’t bow to shadows’ lies,My armor’s on, my banner’s high.If the dark wants in tonight—It’s gonna meet the light!

Chorus

Lock the gate, light the flame,No room for darkness, not today!Raise your voice, heaven’s sound,Let every demon know we’re battlegrounds!Faith ignited, hearts awake—We’re standing strong—so lock the gate!

Verse 2

Culture calls it “just pretend,”But that’s how compromise begins.One cracked door, one small invite,That’s all it takes to lose the fight.

Pre-Chorus

But I’m not fooled, I’m not afraid,I know the price that Jesus paid.The tomb is empty, hell’s been chained—The light remains!

Chorus

Lock the gate, light the flame,No room for darkness, not today!Raise your voice, heaven’s sound,Let every demon know we’re battlegrounds!Faith ignited, hearts awake—We’re standing strong—so lock the gate!

Verse 3

We are temples of the Living King,Sanctified and battle-bringed.The world can dress in death’s disguise,But we see truth behind the lies.

Verse 4

Arm in arm, our faith won’t fade,Shields locked tight in the mess we’ve made.When saints unite, the dark retreats—Hell trembles where our praises meet!

Bridge (spoken over drums, with choir echo)

Take up the shield—faith won’t fail!Raise the Word—truth prevails!Armor on, saints aligned,We guard the doors of heart and mind!

(Choir chant behind: “Armor on! Faith alive! Lock the gate, keep the light!”)

Final Chorus

Lock the gate, light the flame,No room for darkness, not today!Raise your voice, heaven’s sound,Let every demon know—we’re battlegrounds!Faith ignited, hearts awake—We’re standing strong—so lock the gate!

Outro (spoken)

Not today, devil.Not in this house.Not ever again.

The Door Guard’s Declaration

“We bar the gates, we raise the light—No fear, no deal, no ground tonight!The darkness knocks, but we don’t break—We’re blood-bought, battle-taught, and wide awake!”

Prayer

Heavenly Father,thank You for the authority You’ve given us in Jesus Christ.We renounce every invitation to darkness — spoken, silent, or accidental.Seal every door that should be closed, open every one that leads to light.Protect every child, every home, and every heart this week.Let Your presence dwell where the enemy once prowled.And may our joy, our laughter, and our light send the powers of darkness running for the hills.In Jesus’ mighty name — Amen and out.

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