Picture Paul under house arrest in Rome, awaiting his hearing before the emperor. Paul was under constant guard and chained to the soldier on duty. Roman sources demonstrate that renting quarters and being chained to a soldier were typical protocol for a prisoner under house arrest.
“When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.(Acts 28:16)

Imagine the moment when Paul looks over at the guard on shift. Specifically fixated on the Centurion’s uniform, he becomes inspired. He notices each piece of the Roman guard’s armor has an instructional application for spiritual warfare. The strategy for supernatural battle readiness and protection for all Christ followers is revealed to him. Mind blowing!

“Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength! Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary. For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing. Therefore, stand! Have the belt of truth buckled around your waist, put on righteousness for a breastplate, and wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the Good News of shalom. Always carry the shield of trust, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. And take the helmet of deliverance; along with the sword given by the Spirit, that is, the Word of God; as you pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests, in the Spirit, vigilantly and persistently, for all God’s people.” (Ephesians 6:10-20)

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:30-31)

“And pray for me, too, that whenever I open my mouth, the words will be given to me to be bold in making known the secret of the Good News, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may speak boldly, the way I should. Grace be to all who love our Lord Yeshua the Messiah with undying love.” (Ephesians 6:24)

Paul encouraged new converts as well as mature believers, by setting an example of the warriors surrendered life in Christ and eager death for the Gospel.

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

Q: What is hindering you from a fully surrendered life in Christ?

Q: Are you covered in the armor of God, ready to battle for the Gospel – even unto death?

“In their trouble they cried to Adonai, and he rescued them from their distress. He led them from darkness, from death-dark gloom, shattering their chains. Let them give thanks to Adonai for his grace, for his wonders bestowed on humanity!” (Psalm 107:13-15)

Resource link: Paul and the Praetorian Guard – Drive Thru History Adventures

Daily putting on the armor of God is a declaration of alignment with Him and His kingdom. Every piece of armor is found in relationship with Jesus. When we pray on the full armor of God, we are effectively putting on Christ, clothing ourselves in all of Him.

Take hold of the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God!

In putting on the armor, have you stopped short of the Sword?

The only weaponry having the spiritual fire power and authority to confront and destroy works of darkness in the spiritual realm is the Word of God. The word used here is rhema, the spoken, activated and revealed word of God. When your heart hears this word, it is quickened to the power of it, to either strike down or build up, to condemn or restore.

With Sword of the Spirit we condemn and dismantle the works of darkness. And with this sword we restore and release kingdom order, redemption and liberation.

For the Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to dividing asunder soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 12:4-5

Soul is psyche. It is subject to sin. The Spirit is incorruptible. 

The Sword of the spirit is not to kill but to divide asunder, tear apart, discern and separate light from dark, good from evil, right from wrong, corruptible from incorruptible. No mixture is safe from the sword of the Spirit. The word exposes the corruptible and separates it from the incorruptible.

If by the Spirt you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons and daughters of God. Romans 8:13-14

God’s Word in its every expression, is the ultimate kingdom weaponry to destroy enemy strongholds, schemes and structures. Like a laser, the Word is our direct energy weapon in the spiritual realm to defeat, overcome the enemy and recover what has been stolen in the natural realm.

Daily putting on the armor of God is a declaration of alignment with Him and His kingdom. Every piece of armor is found in relationship with Jesus. When we pray on the full armor of God, we are effectively putting on Christ, clothing ourselves in all of Him.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
with which you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16

The Roman shield in Paul’s day was called a scutum and was not at all the wimpy shield we see in comic books today. This type of shield was the size of a door that entirely covered the warrior. Although it was a defensive piece of armor, it could also be used as an offensive weapon to push back opponents. A group of soldiers could form a fortress of protection around themselves by positioning their shields to form a complete enclosure. The shield was the first barrier against the enemy’s attack and was meant to be taken up in all battles.

We come to battles with other pieces of armor already on our person, but we have to take up the shield of faith. Taking up the shield of faith is a proactive response of obedience to God that identifies us as foot soldiers who serve the Commander of the Lord’s Army. Faith is the protective barrier that stands between us and the enemy.

God fashioned you for faith, not fear. Fear—the enemy’s favorite tactic against God’s people—takes up residence when you’re faced with overwhelming concerns, gut-wrenching losses and what may feel like impending doom. Your faith can be strong and vibrant one minute, tenuous and elusive the next. In intense battle you often hear people say, Just have faith—a cliché that can be deeply hurtful when you’re wounded, bleeding and fearful of the barrage of enemy arrows still coming at you.

How can you possibly keep standing and holding up your weighty shield of faith, especially if you’re the walking wounded?

God’s overcoming Ekklesia, advancing His Kingdom on earth, are those who win the battle over fear so they are completely liberated to take up faith. Why are you fearful? Have you lost your faith in me? Luke 8:25 TPT

Faith is a hard-fought, hard-won battle against fear. You only defeat fear if you surrender everything you’re holding onto and believe what God says. Believe He is who He says He is. Believe you are who He says you are. Believe He keeps every promise ever made to you.

Faith is a gift from God—For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV.

Faith protects you and helps you stand your ground—Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4.

Faith enables you to keep hoping against all odds—Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. Hebrews 11:1 TPT

Faith is the heart that advances the Kingdom of God—Faith, then, is birthed in a heart that responds to God’s anointed utterance of the Anointed One. Romans 10:17 TPT

Faith is the only thing that moves God­—And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God. For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who give all their passion and strength into seeking him. Hebrews 11:6 TPT

Faith is centered in trust. Who do you believe and who do you trust?

If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God. True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life, promised to every lover of God. James 1:12 TPT

Daily putting on the armor of God is a declaration of alignment with Him and His kingdom. Every piece of armor is found in relationship with Jesus. When we pray on the full armor of God, we are effectively putting on Christ, clothing ourselves in all of Him.

Stand firm then… with your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15

The Armor of God provides us with lessons in leadership and godly dominion. The path to true peace, wholeness and shalom, of person, family and nations is tied in with the authority God gives us to advance His Kingdom.

The footgear of the Roman soldier was not to simply stand but to advance, overtake and dominate people, territories and nations. It was harsh and vindictive, trampling persons and property in the name of Caesar.

In the Kingdom of God, the LORD sends out His warriors in righteousness to establish godly peace and dominion, not as domination but as righteous rule and leadership. The readiness and preparation of the gospel of shalom advances the kingdom of God and His rule in the earth.

Stand firm therefore… Hold your ground and establish with your feetand God-given authority the ground you are being given in the Name of the LORD.  Is this ground in your church? Your family? Your school, community or workplace?

Refuse to concede territory God has given you.
Refuse to be intimidated by giants and thieves.
Refuse to compromise.

Joshua stands in the thick of this kingdom movement. When God sends Joshua to occupy and inherit the land he had promised their forefathers, He makes the path clear. I will give you every place you set your foot. God is not just giving him the land but the authority to take the land and rule over it.  This long awaited inheritance does not come on a silver platter—they must fight for it.

The feet and footgear of the Roman soldier are representative of the authority he carries on behalf of Rome.

The footgear of shalom is emblematic of the authority of God that you carry wherever you go in the Name of the LORD. But only if you go outfitted in the fullness of the gospel, in obedience to God, and in right alignment with the Spirit and the Word.

The opposite of peace and shalom is chaos. Where chaos reigns, God does not. But shalom is the greater promise and standard of readiness than peace. To advance into this new territory requires total wellbeing in relationship with the Father, adherence to the Word in righteousness, and obedience to the will and ways of God

This is why God instructs Joshua in what it means to have his feet shod with the readiness of the gospel of peace, leading the people not just to share the gospel but to be the gospel in the new land.

Be strong and courageous because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law… Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. See Joshua 1:1-11

Then you and yours will have shalom.

Daily putting on the armor of God is a declaration of alignment with Him and His kingdom. Every piece of armor is found in relationship with Jesus. When we pray on the full armor of God, we are effectively putting on Christ, clothing ourselves in all of Him.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist. Ephesians 6:14 NIV

You may wonder why Paul exhorts us to first put on the belt of truth. A belt seems an odd place to begin dressing to our modern way of thinking. But in Paul’s day everyone wore tunics or long robes. Belts were fastened on first so apparel could be tucked up under them to prevent soldiers from tripping or becoming ensnared in the fabric of their garments. Only after the belt was in place could a soldier put on the rest of his armor.
 
It’s easy to see why the belt was the necessary first step for Roman soldiers, but why is the belt of truth the essential first piece of our spiritual armor? Just as the belt secured undergarments and held other pieces of armor in place for Roman soldiers, the belt of truth is the indispensable underpinning of our heavenly armor. Only the truth of Jesus Christ will save us from eternal death and destruction. Only God’s truth will shield and protect us from the enemy’s schemes. Only Truth will manifest God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
 
The Lord’s answer to lies and deception is His Word of Truth—our Savior, Jesus Christ.
 
Jesus is the way, the Truth and the life. John 14:6.
 
Someone once said, In war, truth is the first casualty. In a futile scheme to delay the coming of God’s kingdom, a crafty and devious preemptive war has been launched by the enemy to disrupt and discredit truth. We are subjected to an incessant stream of lies—There is no one truth; I have my truth, you have yours; she told her truth—not to mention the swarm of untruths emanating from every bastion of society, or the incessant attack on the truth of our identity as sons and daughters of God.
 
Truth is staggering in our streets today. In the absence of truth, the fabric of society unravels. We spend our days tripping over lies, endlessly entangled in webs of deception. Justice is driven away and righteousness stands on the sidelines, for truth has stumbled in the public square and morality cannot enter. Yes, truth has disappeared, and those who turn from evil become the next victim. Isaiah 59:14-15 TPT.
 
Jesus Himself is your belt of truth and there is no Truth other than Him! Only after you have secured in place over your life the foundational truth of Jesus can you effectively put on and hold in place the rest of your spiritual armor. Sanctify them by the truth; your Word is truth!  John 17:17 NIV
 
Truth will prevail—but we must war for it! Roman soldiers secured weapons in their belts, so without a belt they were unarmed. Are your weapons of warfare secured in the infallible truth of Jesus Christ?
 
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5
 
 
What truth does God want you to receive today?

 
What will it cost you to stand for that truth?

Daily putting on the armor of God is a declaration of alignment with Him and His kingdom. Every piece of armor is found in relationship with Jesus. When we pray on the full armor of God, we are effectively putting on Christ, clothing ourselves in all of Him.
 
Stand firm then with the breastplate of righteousness and holiness as the protective armor that covers your heart. Ephesians 6:14
 
We have no righteousness of our own. Nor may we acquire it by clever works or good intentions. Christ ascribes to us His own righteousness as we turn away from self-righteousness to embrace whole-heartedly the armor of our Righteous Redeemer. He alone is our great protection and assurance of salvation.
 
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 

Apart from this armor of righteousness, you will find yourself stark naked on the battlefield of spiritual warfare, exposed and vulnerable in the inmost parts.
 
No one is righteous, not even one. Romans 3:10
 
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

This divine breastplate is comprised of two parts—front and back, strapped together to form an all- encompassing shield of protection around your heart and vital organs. So whether the enemy is coming from behind (where you can’t see) or before (where you can), the breastplate of Christ has you covered.

Christ died for your salvation as surely as He lived for your righteousness. By faith alone you wear His very own breastplate, the radiant righteousness of Christ. His imputed righteousness is your great exchange—His heart for your heart, His blood for your blood, His death for your life.
 
To the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. Romans 4:5
 
So, children of the light—put on Christ’s faith and love as your breastplate! Receive His righteousness as your bulletproof vest. Enclose yourself in His impenetrable armor, which encases your heart in the righteousness of Christ. And let your love and light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
 
You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and clear-minded. … Since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as our breastplate, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:5, 6, 8
 
 
What does your heart look like without the covering of Christ?

What does God see when he looks at your heart?

What do others see?

Daily putting on the armor of God is a declaration of alignment with Him and His kingdom. Every piece of armor is found in relationship with Jesus. When we pray on the full armor of God, we are effectively putting on Christ, clothing ourselves in all of Him.

 
Take up the helmet of salvation . . . Ephesians 6:17 

Without the helmet of salvation, the rest of God’s armor is useless. You can’t even put on the other pieces of armor until you’ve accepted salvation through His Son. Salvation is what identifies you as belonging to Christ and the essential component needed to activate the rest of the armor.
 
In God’s kingdom, the helmet of salvation is a crown—those who are God’s crowning glory are crowned with Christ’s salvation!
 
Paul’s exhortation to put on the armor of God was written to the people of Ephesus who were under Roman rule and familiar with battle armor. They were accustomed to seeing stadium gladiator events and Roman centurions everywhere, armed and ready for battle. Paul’s imagery was a reminder that the Roman helmet had two purposes—protection and identification.
 
Roman helmets were made of iron and reenforced in the most vulnerable places. They usually came with cheek and neck guards to protect the entire head. Many helmets had the name of the soldier inscribed inside. On the outside they bore indication of badge or rank.
 
In times of war, a helmet tells others who you belong to, what side you’re on. It sets you apart. When you take the helmet of salvation you are identified as belonging to Lord Yahweh, the Commander of Angel Armies. You are fully under His protection and moving with His company of believers. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 NIV
 
While wearing the helmet, your face is obscured from the enemy. He can’t see if you’re shaking on the inside, sweat pouring from your brow, worry and fear in your eyes. He can just see that you are crowned with God’s helmet of salvation and you are standing! 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. . . Ephesians 6:13-14 NIV.
 
The exhortation here is to take the helmet of salvation. It’s to receive from God His greatest gift to mankind—to reach out and seize salvation through Jesus Christ, your Savior and Defense. You are not exhorted to do the helmet of salvation. You are simply to take it from the hands of Him who offered His body and blood to purchase it, and who now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven. Salvation is wholly God’s gift which keeps you strong and safe when you choose to receive it.
 
God’s gift of salvation is an ongoing, eternal state.
It is past—salvation received when you accept Christ;
It is present—protects your mind in the day of battle;
and it is future—your hope of eternal life.
 
Your mind is your biggest battlefield and the place where much of your warfare takes place. The enemy can’t hear what you’re thinking but he knows how to attack places of vulnerability and how to influence your thoughts, which in turn influences your actions. One major focus of attack by the enemy is to move you to doubt your salvation. If he can convince you to doubt this or question the validity of your relationship with God, he can erode your confidence in your salvation.
 
When you put on the helmet of salvation you are placing Christ over your thoughts and on your mind. His salvation and authority crown you for battle and protect your mind from enemy incursions. But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV
 
The assurance of God’s salvation renders fear powerless to disturb you. The helmet of salvation guards your thoughts and mind against enemy attacks. It protects your mind from worldly imaginations and prevents you from coming into agreement with present-day trauma. When you’re armed with the helmet of salvation, You can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. You capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One. Since you are armed with such dynamic weaponry, you stand ready to punish any trace of rebellion, as soon as you choose complete obedience. 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 TPT.
 
Your hope—past, present and future—is in Christ’s salvation. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but even in death you remain victorious. Your crown of salvation protects you in battle, identifies you as belonging to Christ, and ensures your hope of eternal life. Death is swallowed up by a triumphant victory! So death, tell me, where is your victory? Tell me death, where is your sting? . . . But we thank God for giving us the victory as conquerors through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 TPT.
 
How does the idea of being crowned with God’s salvation change the way you see yourself?

 
Change how the enemy sees you?


Change how God sees you?

 
Most of what we see as “attacks of the enemy” is a distraction from the prime target of enemy warfare – to twist and destroy your true identity, authority and right relationship with God. ​

The real attack is on your spiritual condition, not your physical circumstance.

All those red-flag emotions and fiery darts you experience along the way are manipulations to disguise and distract from a darker agenda—which is to deny you access to God and the Kingdom of the King, Jesus Christ. If the enemy can keep your negative emotions churned up in fear, anger and offense, then all your energies will be drained away in the wrong direction. The indirect consequence of this hit job is to separate you from everything Christ has won for you.

Stand and resist!

The relentless efforts of this wicked world to steal, kill and destroy will keep you exhausted, defeated and weak—Unless you stand, unless you resist.

Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser! Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious. 
 
Put on truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph. Put on holiness as the protective armor that covers your heart. Stand on your feet alert, then you’ll always be ready to share the blessings of peace.
 
In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the Evil One! Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17 TPT

What could identify you more closely with God than putting on His own armor?

What greater protection can we receive than the Royal armor of Christ himself, arming our own fallen flesh?

Ewe find each piece ​lovingly crafted by the Father to strengthen and protect what the enemy most wants to destroy​—

• the Truth and Righteousness of Christ,
• the Peace-filled​ shalom of His victorious presence​, ​
• the Salvation mindset of the Holy Spirit without worldly distortion,
• the unshakable Faith and confident trust you have in Father God

In light of the first commandment—To love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength—we see these vital protection points covered by the armor of God.

The armor of God is an expression of His perfect love!

And the enemy’s first objective is to quench the fire of that first love.

This is why the armor of God is so vital. It is Christ himself, your first defense against every threat to your spiritual life and love connection to God. This divine armor is forged in the fire of heaven to ensure that no weapon formed against you may prosper.

His love arms and equips you to engage in the victorious present, not subject to the firepower of the enemy but standing strong in the fulness of Christ.

What negative emotional cycle is the enemy using against you?

 
Which piece of the Ephesians 6 armor do you most need today?
 

In what way might the armor of God enable you to fulfill the first commandment?

Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser! Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious. 
 
Put on truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph. Put on holiness as the protective armor that covers your heart. Stand on your feet alert, then you’ll always be ready to share the blessings of peace.
 
In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the Evil One! Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17 TPT

 
What is the armor of God and why is it so indispensable to our full protection and wellbeing?

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

Satan knows he’s defeated. Yet he works tirelessly to keep the world in darkness and conspires against God’s people to keep us from living in the victory of Jesus Christ. God’s armor is the gracious protection given us to stand against the enemy’s evil schemes.

Would you send troops into war without equipping them with essential armor and weaponry for success? Neither does God send us into battle unarmed or unprepared.

His armor is our great assurance of not only survival but victory!

Praying on the armor of God is a daily blessing and discipline for God’s people. In the same way we put on clothes every morning, we put on the armor of God before we venture into the day, clothing ourselves with every protection afforded us in Christ.

Each piece of God’s armor is found in right relationship with Jesus. As we pray on the full armor of God, we put on Christ, clothing ourselves in the strength and fullness of His personal armory. 

Putting on the Armor

Pray first in obedience and alignment with the Lord’s Prayer as your divine undergarment.

See and receive each piece of the Lord’s Armor on your behalf.

I pray the blood and the full armor of Jesus over me—body, soul, mind and spirit.

I pray on the helmet of salvation. Thank you Lord, that I am crowned with the salvation found only in Jesus Christ.

I pray on the breast plate of righteousness. Thank you, Lord, that Jesus is my righteousness and His holiness protects my heart.

I pray on the belt of truth. Thank you, Lord, that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and the truth of who He is strengthens me to stand in triumph.

I pray on the sandals of the readiness of the gospel of peace. Praise you, Lord, that Jesus is the gospel and His peace in me enables me to share the blessing of peace.

I take up the shield of faith which wraps around and protects me on all sides. Praise you, Lord, that Jesus is the author and perfector of my faith.

I take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  Praise you, Lord, that Jesus is my Living Word.


Clothed in the whole armor of God, the weakest of God’s children strikes terror in the enemy camp. Wearing His invincible armor, you are strengthened to stand in complete victory!

You must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for after you have conquered, you can stand in victory. Ephesians 6:13 TPT


What does the picture of going unarmed into battle stir up for you?
 

How might putting on God’s armor be an act of worship?