Thanks, billosborne.com, for the image.
Episode #101 Arming Ourselves to Live Strong in a Fallen World
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When we prepare for a new year, we choose classes for our kids, lessons, activities, buy them some new clothes, gather school supplies, and make sure that they aren't missing out on anything we deem that they need.
Yet, sometimes, in the rush and push of life, we forget that the most important area to plan is how we as their mentors and shepherds need to prepare for ourselves. Christian mothers who are willing to accept the responsibility of seeking to influence their children for Christ are truly in a battle for the heart, soul and minds of their children. They are shaping character that will serve their children the rest of their lives. Yet, often when they become discouraged or weary, they are tempted to think, "I am not doing a great job." "I am not cut out for this." And in this emotionally draining time, they are tempted to give up on their ideals
Yet, scripture tells us we are in the midst of a spiritual battle. Our enemy, Satan, would love for us to focus on ourselves, our own weaknesses, instead of our turning to our warrior king who wants us to feel His pleasure in our hard work, who will sustain us, who cares about our role as moms.
I wanted to do a podcast and blog post that would encourage your precious ones to understand that you and your ability to fight well is crucial to your being able to stay the course of the ideals God has called you to follow. I pray that as you hear Kristen and I talk about this, you will be encouraged, know that we are praying for you.
As Christians and mothers, we can feel overwhelmed with the daily battles. From piles of laundry, bad attitudes in our children, sibling arguing, hormonal teenagers, loneliness and isolation, all of the meals to be prepared, and wanting to do it all with excellence, we can often feel defeated before we even begin. When we look to God’s Word and in particular Ephesians 6, we can better understand that we are truly in a battle by observing Paul’s inspiring metaphor.
In this episode, we, Sally and Kristen look at each piece of armor, and share how we can be prepared along with preparing and training our children, too. We can grow from feeling defeated and on the defense, to becoming more than conquerors and prepared for battle through the mighty power of the Holy Spirit.
What We Talk About:
-What a soldier needs before he enters into battle
-What it means to stand your ground
-How we can know what is true
-Why Jesus says, “If you continue in my Word” is a condition of knowing the truth?
-What it means to guard your heart on a daily basis
-How God's word protects our heart
-What it means to walk in peace
-What it means to move forward instead of staying stagnant in our faith
-Why having a shield of faith pre-supposes that we will have arrows thrust at us from the enemy that it is meant to protect us from
-What we know about the emotional,spiritual and relational battles of life
-The significance of only one piece of armor mentioned that is an offensive weapon and how we should use it
LINKS:
Ephesians 6:10-13 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.2 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Charles Spurgeon quote: “To be a Christian is to be a warrior. The good soldier of Jesus Christ must not expect to find ease in this world: it is a battle-field.”
-John 8:31-32 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.
Ephesians 6:15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
1 John 5:4-5 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.
-Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
Buy a Book for yourself and for a friend!
You will have access to a very special Devotional to use at your Lifegiving Table to teach your own Children about spiritual battle.
My wonderful team who have produced such beautiful printables for my membership, Cultivating Life with Sally, have produced a 12 page devotional for you to have with your children about "Putting on the whole armor of God" with coloring pages and Bible study and questions.
It is our hope that we can create some life amongst friends in the discipleship atmosphere of our ministry. We are encouraging women to buy a Lifegiving Table book for themselves and one to give away to someone who needs encouragement. (A Home for single moms, your library, a friend who is getting married, a new mom, a neighbor, a friend who needs encouragement, etc.)
If you have bought 2 or more Lifegiving Table books, fill out the form below and send us a copy of your receipt or tell us where you ordered the book, and you will receive the downloadable pdf to use with your family. We pray your children will also develop a heart as warriors to do battle well in their lifetime.
Get your 12 page devotional with coloring pages to use with your children when you buy 2 or more copies of The Lifegiving Table.
