Stripping Saul’s Armour Off The Church

“You have forsaken the love you had at first… Repent and do the things you did at first.” — Revelation 2:4–5 (NIV)

I genuinely believe God is stripping Saul’s armour from His Church right now. He is dismantling the illusion that bigger always means healthier. He is exposing performance Christianity. He is breaking our dependence on machinery, branding and hype. He is calling His people back to simplicity. Back to first love. Back to altars. Back to prayer. Back to authentic worship. Back to hearing His voice again.

Many leaders are beginning to say:

“I cannot operate under this weight anymore.”

They are stepping away from endless demands and rediscovering the joy of simply walking with God again. Some are saying no to opportunities. No to constant hustle. No to comparison. No to ministry models they copied but were never called to carry. No to exhausting expectations.

And instead they are rediscovering the “one thing”: friendship with God.

Because your leadership will never rise above your intimacy.

Do the Things You Did at First

Jesus says to the church in Revelation 2:4–5:

“You have forsaken the love you had at first… Repent and do the things you did at first.” — Revelation 2:4–5 (NIV)

That is the invitation.

Take off Saul’s armour and return to the altar.

Stop trying to become an impressive version of somebody else. Become the beloved son or daughter God actually created you to be.

Some leaders need to stop building platforms and fall in love with Jesus again. Some churches need to rediscover prayer. Some worship teams need to rediscover presence over performance. Some believers need to get off Instagram and back into the secret place.

Because the fire never falls on image.

It falls on altars.

Back to First Love

There is something deeply liberating about laying down armour God never asked you to wear.

Saul’s armour looked impressive, but it did not fit David. It restricted him. Slowed him down. Burdened him with somebody else’s identity.

And perhaps many believers are exhausted because they are carrying expectations, methods and ministry models that God never actually assigned to them.

God is not looking for polished imitation.

He is looking for surrendered authenticity.

The Church does not need more celebrities who know how to build platforms. She needs sons and daughters who know how to build altars.

Because intimacy with God has always been the true source of lasting spiritual authority.

An extract from The ALTAR by Jarrod Cooper. Order Your Copy Below 👇

Believe & Confess Meditation & Declaration

I will return to my first love and rediscover the joy of walking closely with Jesus daily (Revelation 2:4–5). I will lay down every burden, expectation and false armour that God never asked me to carry (1 Samuel 17:39). My life will be built upon intimacy with God rather than image, performance or comparison (Psalm 27:4). I will prioritise prayer, worship and the secret place above outward appearance and public recognition (Matthew 6:6). The Holy Spirit is leading me back to simplicity, authenticity and wholehearted devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3). I will become the person God created me to be rather than an imitation of somebody else’s calling or platform (Ephesians 2:10). The fire of God will burn brightly upon the altar of my surrendered life as I remain rooted in His presence (Leviticus 6:12-13).

👉 If this devotional stirred something within you, why not share it with friends on social media or forward it by email to someone who needs to return to the altar and rediscover first love again today?

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THE ALTAR

Creating lives & cultures ready to host the glory of God.

Something is stirring.

Across the world, hunger for God’s presence is rising—and many are asking: how do we truly host His glory?

In The Altar, Jarrod Cooper calls us back to the place where heaven meets earth—the altar. A place of encounter, devotion, and transformation.

This book will help you:
• Deepen your personal encounter with God
• Build a lifestyle of worship
• Hear His voice clearly
• Create cultures that carry His presence

This isn’t just a book—it’s a call.
When the altar is restored, the fire falls again.

 Order Your Copy Here