Stand Firm - The Armor of God

"Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil."  Ephesians 6:11

photo by Laura Kleffman Photography

The Ephesians 6:10ff passage is so powerful and insightful on how we, the church, the body of Christ, and as individuals, can withstand attacks against evil.  Evil is strong and powerful, but let us note, evil is not flesh-and-blood, as it states in verse 12, it is Satan himself.  He is the dark force in this world.  But we can praise God, our Heavenly Father, that he has overcome this world and through the Cross Satan was defeated.  

In this passage, Paul drew a powerful comparison between the Roman Soldiers' armor, which was known to give them a very distinct advantage over their enemies, and the Spiritual armor of God.  He reminds us, as warriors for Christ, of the tools God has given us to Stand Firm against the devil and hold tight to the grace and mercy of Christ.  

The Belt of truth – The belt was the first thing a Roman soldier put on and it held many necessities and defenses for the soldier.  As Christians, we should cloth ourselves with the word of God in the morning to build our foundation for battle that day.  The word of God allows us to stand firm and grounded in truth and not the lies that the devil will try and fight us with.

The Breastplate of Righteousness – The devil often attacks our heart, telling us we are not worthy but just as the breastplate protected the heart, we are to protect our heart and stand firm in God’s righteousness.  We are made right in God’s sight because of what Jesus did.  Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus. 

The Shoes of peace that comes from the Good news – Romans had special footwear that provided an advantage.  They were strong in their stance and balance.  We are to be strong and rooted in the word of God and the peace that it provides us when tough situations come our way. 

The Shield of Faith – The Romans had a much larger shield that allows them to kneel behind or form together from the fiery arrows.  Our faith in God and his promises protects us from the devil’s fiery arrows.  Our faith rests in God fighting our battles for us and this faith allows us to see past these trials and into a hope of ultimate victory.

The Helmet of Salvation – The greatest battlefield is in our mind. The devil makes us doubt our salvation but Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8 that we are to focus our minds on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable.  We are to be with God in thought and prayer, for when we are, he will give us a clear mind and a mind full of peace to stand firm against the evil one.

The Sword  of the Spirit (the Word of God) – our offensive weapon that we can use to defeat the devil.  For no power in the universe can stand against the word of God.  Scripture memorization can be our biggest attack weapon when we feel negative and unworthy thoughts creep in. 

Clothe yourself, build your armor, and get battle ready.  For you are a warrior of Christ. 

Prayer For You

I loved this prayer from Ephesians 3:16ff for spiritual growth by the Apostle Paul written to the Christian church of Ephesus. So today I pray it for you,

photo by Sarah Marie photography

"I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.  Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

Then Paul praises God saying,

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might as or think.  Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever!"

Can I get an Amen?!

Today I pray that same prayer for you, that you realize you can never be lost to God's love.  It reaches as wide as our own experiences, the length of our life, the heights of our tribulations, and to the depths of our sorrows and despair.  God's love is full and complete.  I pray your faith grows down deep into that love. And I praise God that he is working his mighty power through you, accomplishing so much more than we can imagine.

I pray we trust in his perfect love.

Be His Good Challenge - Librarians

#BeHisGood

We love our local library and head there often on cold winter days or rainy summer mornings to play around and read books.  Libraries are such a great place for kids to visit, play and learn to love to read.  So this week we say thank you to our librarians who put forth so much effort in creating a warm and inviting space for us to explore, learn and tap into our imagination.

Craft:

http://alittlepinchofperfect.com/paper-plate-fish-craft-inspired-rainbow-fish/

https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/i-heart-crafty-things-4791413/paper-plate-corduroy-craft-4097188757

http://www.therealisticmama.com/the-very-hungry-caterpillar-12-crafts-for-kids/

Book Character.  We have paper plates galore right now at our house and a whole bunch of sparkles, so we'll be creating that beautiful rainbow fish.  But get creative!  Create your favorite book character... or just color a simple coloring sheet of your child's favorite book. Remember this challenge is more about the purpose (read here) and less about the project.  

Challenge:  Visit your local librarian and say hello!  I guarantee they are the sweetest people ever and will love your crafts that so kindly says thank you for all they do.

Then spread the word!  

Take a photo and post on Facebook or instagram and use the #BeHisGood.  Then encourage others to join you in saying thank you to the wonderful librarians we have to help educate our children.  

Thank you for joining us this week in being His good.

Be His Good Challenge - Fire Department

#BeHisGood

Our modern heroes of the day.  Firemen.  Even though my kids have never seen a real live fire beyond the one in our backyard.  Or really haven't seen a fireman or woman in action.  They are still obsessed.  They love the big red trucks that have the big loud sirens.  We put firemen and women on a pedestal in our house.  So this week they'll be extra excited (and probably extra nervous) to meet their real live heroes and say thank you for all that they do and the sacrifice that they make.

Craft:

playmommaaplay.com

http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1022185/finger-painting-crafts-kids-will-love

A Firetruck or firemen  I found these two crafts to be adorable; we'll actually see how this goes with my two and four year old.  It could turn out great, it could be a big yellow and orange blob on a red piece of paper.  It's the thought that counts right?!  Just enjoy the project and teach the kids all about Firefighters and how they help our city.  Go to the local library and find firetruck books.  Remember this challenge is more about the purpose and less about the project.

Challenge:  Find your local fire station, call ahead if you need, and allow your children to hand off their beautiful artwork and say thank you to the men and women who keep them safe.

Then spread the word!  

Take a photo and post on Facebook or instagram and use the #BeHisGood.  Then encourage others to join you in saying thank you to the men and women at your local firestation!  

Thank you for joining us this week in being His good.

Be His Good Challenge - Postal Service

#BeHisGood

The kids and I love the Post Office.  We used to have to go there 2+ times a week for sending out packages.  It was an outing they looked forward to, mainly for the bright smiles they came to know and the ever-so-lovely stickers they received.  FYI to win over a kid... just give them a simple sticker, you'd think they've won the lottery. Plus the parents will love the fact that they weren't filled with more sugar, tooth decay or a slobbery mess. 

These days we don't get to enjoy our weekly outing because of technology and the chance to ship from home.  So this week, our Be the Good challenge, my family, personally, is going to revisit the past and say thank you to those men and women who help bring packages and cards to their destination safely all so we can open that precious birthday card or pay that lovely bill.  And I guarantee if you walk in with a smile and take the time to enjoy and not hurry your way through without acknowledging them and their service, you'll get a smile right back and a feeling of gratitude to continue on your day.

Craft:

Postal Truck.  If you grew up like I did in a small town... you really didn't know these cute little trucks existed.  You just thought the same pick-up truck or car that had a flashing light on top and a person who kept driving on the opposite side of the vehicle delivered your mail.  But turns out they do!  And kids love them!  At least mine do.  They see ours coming down the side of the road and wait impatiently for him to come.  So this is just one idea for a craft you can create.  Other ideas include one my 4 year old came up with... back them cookies and give them a can of pop!  Or this week, take it easy and just color a simple coloring page and hand deliver at the post office.  Remember it's less about the craft and more about the purpose.

Challenge:

Have your kids sneak their artwork with a thank you into the mailbox or hand deliver to your local post office.  Friendly note, take into consideration lunch time and after work tend to be busy times for people to run the errand to the post office.

Then spread the word!  

Take a photo and post on Facebook or instagram and use the #BeHisGood.  Then encourage others to join you in saying thank you to our yummy local bakery's for all that they do.  

Thank you for joining us this week in being His good.