Our daily reading schedule for this week can be found by clicking this link.
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We do not have to leave our homes to know that an epic battle is waging. On any given day, point your internet browser to any major news website and you will see how desperate Satan is. Violence, anger, hatred, jealousy, greed, envy and judgment seem to permeate our society. In fact, it may even discourage some of you; make you doubt our God and His goodness.
Sisters, it is time to recognize and understand that we are a part of this battle. As Christians, we are automatically targets of the enemy. Satan will stop at nothing to tear apart our relationship with the Lord. That is his business. It is his only job. He wants to keep us away from reading the Bible. He wants to prevent us from fully participating in a Bible/Book study by distracting us. He does not want us to be in fellowship with other believers so he will use our insecurities or past hurts to prevent us from moving forward in our faith journey. Anything is up for grabs. Not one of us is immune. If he sees a spot to weasel his way in, he will try to do it. I use the word *try* because we hold the ultimate power. We can look to God to help us through these difficulties, or, we can allow the situation to take us captive and restrict the Spirit’s work in our life.
Which will you choose?
I say this not to scare you, but to warn you. The battle is being waged. Thankfully, we have a Mighty Savior who sends us to the frontlines fully equipped to fight the enemy and to beat crush him at his own game.
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. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:13-17 NLT
The Lord gives us many defensive weapons in our arsenal to fight the enemy. We have a belt, body armor, shoes, a shield, and a helmet. However, there is just one offensive weapon: the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
What is the Word of God?
- For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12, NKJV).
- All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work (2 Timothy 3:16 and 17, NLT).
- Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path (Psalms 119:105, NLT).
- In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it (John 1:1-5, NLT).
When we tuck God’s Word into our heart, we are able to defeat the enemy immediately when he tries to attack us. Before Jesus started His ministry, Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. For forty days and nights, He fasted and was very hungry (Matthew 4:2). He refuted Satan’s attempts at trickery by repeating the truth from God’s Word. “Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus” (Matthew 4:11). By claiming God’s truth and promises and wielding them as a weapon to the enemy, Satan had no choice but to flee.
Can I get an AMEN to that?!
Ladies, I know life is difficult. It can be busy. I truly hope and pray that you will delve deeply into this study. Commit to it. Make it a part of your daily quiet time with the Lord. It has the potential to impact your life in a radical way. God wants to use us to reach the lost, to save those that we may think seem gone forever. No one is beyond saving. No one. We can be a hero in God’s army of warriors. But, ultimately, it is our choice.
Who’s with me?
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Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, as we begin our study of this book, please let the truth from Your Word soak into the depths of our souls. We want to be prepared for the battles that are coming our way and to be a hero fighting for You, Lord. Please remove anything that will prevent us from focusing solely on this study. Help us find a daily quiet time with You to read and study what You want to teach us through this book. We know You have already won the battle, Lord. We thank You that You are a God who loves us so much and who equips us with all that we need to fight the enemy. We have all that we need in You. Guide and lead us in the weeks to come. We pray this in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
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If you are interested in joining us for this online Bible study, please click HERE to complete your enrollment.
I’m with you…all the way!!
Let’s DO this, girlfriend!!
incredible!
<3 God is SO good!
Moving Forward—–
Yay!! March on, girl!
Very powerful Scriptures! When God is for us, who can be against us. Thank you God that You knew what we would face even before we existed. Amen Jennifer.
Amen, Mary! God’s Word is the most powerful weapon we have in our arsenal. His Word IS power!! He goes before us every time, paving our path and equipping us to handle whatever we might face.
I’m in it all the way!! Wow – great words Jennifer. Love that after Jesus was tempted and defeated Satan with the word of God, the angels came and took care of Him. I love that when we use His word, it sends angels to flight!!!! Awesome!! 🙂
YES, Laurie! The Angels ministered to Him!! They will do the same for us, too! AMEN!
Yes, when I read that this week, it just really hit me. The angels will care for us, too! God is so good to us. He loves us THAT much!!
I am so happy to be a part of this study. It comes at a time that I am fighting the enemy about several issues in my life and I am glad to have allies.
Sophia, your GCH sisters are standing in the gap with you, and for you. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Lord, protect our dear sister as she goes through this time of trial. We know the plans that You have for her, Lord, to give her a future and hope, and we thank You for those plans Lord, in Your precious name, AMEN!
You definitely have allies, sister! We are SO happy you have joined us in this study. I know the Lord brought it to you for “just a time as this”. The Lord loves you SO much and He doesn’t want you to walk this journey alone. Praying for you. <3
i am…by God’s grace! <3
amen <3
Lisa B, “…the time has come to live by the POWER of one [the sword].” Just reading the Scriptures you shared this morning has been empowering and encouraging to me. Thank you, Jennifer, I’m ready!
Woohoo, Clella! I’m so glad!! I loved that line in the book, too!! To God be the glory!
So thankful for Gods armor. So thankful for Jesus’s example. So thankful for this study.
We have much to be thankful for, don’t we?! Glad to share this journey with you! 🙂
I choose to live for GOD and not myself. Thanks Jen.
amen <3
AMEN!!! I’m ready!! God’s word is SO powerful!!! We’ve got the power!! Thanks Jennifer!!! 🙂
woot woot! <3 God is going to do amazing things in this study... I just know it!!
AMEN going to write out some new scripture cards
me, too! <3
AMEN!!!!!
What a GREAT idea!!
I am ready to be apart of God’s Army.
Yay Penny! Your sisters are right beside you! Can’t wait to walk this journey with you! <3
This book could have not come at a better time in my life , I have been in a battle for the last 5 months of being unemployed and no income coming in and I have let the enemy come at me full force , , but I am standing up today , because I am tired iPod giving the enemy free rein in my mind I am taking captive every word that God has given me to fight this battle Jesus is going to be the Victor and He will get the glory , I Belong to the Lord and the battle belongs to the Lord
That should have been of giving the enemy
YOU are a child of God girlfriend, and He will supply ALL your needs according to the riches in Christ Jesus! Stand Up and Stand On the Word of God!! AMEN!!!
{{{hugs}}} God has already won this battle. We can have confidence in that truth. So glad you are standing firm on the truth of God’s Word and fighting the enemy with whatever tricks he tries to throw your way! Continuing to pray for you, my dear sister. <3
I’m with you Jennifer. Expecting great things to happen during this course. Well stated.
Me, too, Martha! I think God is going to show up in a mighty way! I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen!! 🙂
I am with you and so excited to begin this great study.
Yipee!!! 🙂 It’s going to be so awesome!!! <3
AMEN!! I’m ready for this study!! Thank you for the encouragement!!
Yay, Amanda!! I’m so happy you are a part of this study!! 🙂
Great blog Jennifer! I’m all in!
Thanks so much, Cynda!! With God ALL things are possible!!!
Jennifer,
Awesome blog today! I am with you all the way!
Thank you, Michelle! Glory to God!! He is so good!!
So awesome!!!feel great to be a part of this…love from Fiji
WOW! How cool is that?! I would love to visit Fiji! Are you a part of our Facebook discussion group, where we will dig into study in a more private setting? If not, click “Sign-up here” in our menu bar and we’ll get you added ASAP! So excited to see women all over the world taking part in this amazing book study! To God be the glory!
Great Blog.. I am glad to be apart of this study.
We are so glad to have you, Jan! This is going to be a fantastic study!!
So very glad to see my CMA Cista’s onboard with this study!!!
So looking forward to this study. I never really thought about it before, being a target or a hero, it is so true….Time to start being the hero that God has planned for me to be!
I have to tell you about an incredible thing that happened an hour ago. I don’t know if this ties in with the study- but I do believe it does- It is kind of a long story but I will try to paraphrase it. My husband and I have been living in our home for 24 years. We were the Kool-Aid house where the neighborhood kids came to play. I had Good News clubs with many of the kids coming to faith in the Lord Jesus. Our kids grew up and our focus changed from the neighborhood to the motorcycle ministry we are involved in. Always praying for our neighborhood. We live in an area that some people would call dangerous- but I have never been afraid. My husband retired and we felt led to purchase land out of the city. We need to sell our home to build on our land. We have had our house up for sale for 3 years now- no takers. We have been so discouraged. When we first put the house on the market I prayed that our house would be the answer to someone else’s prayer. Today a man called ( I have to tell you about that too- we screen our calls because we get so many tellemarketers- the Lord told me to pick up the phone) I answered the phone and he was sitting outside looking at the house- he said, “your house is so beautiful- it is just what we are looking for” we invited him in to see it- he was walking through the house and saying, ” this is what we are looking for.” He explained that he is starting a church down the street, that the Lord is calling him to minister in this area!” We sat down for an hour and shared about our ministries and our testimonies. We prayed together. He then prophesied over us! It was such an amazing thing. He is bringing his wife over to see the house on Wednesday. I don’t know what the future holds but I know Who holds the future. Please pray with us that if this is the Lord’s will He will bring it to pass. Perfect strangers experiencing Koininia (sp) as only the Lord can bring about! Thank you Lord for calling the shots! Thank you Lord for bringing Godly people into my life to encourage and build up. amen
Thats crazy Cher, al this time trying to sell your home and now to a preacher. Happened to my parents, they built a home in Detroit and one year later we moved out of state. Our house was one of the cookie cutter homes in a new subdivision. Except Mom refused the sliding patio door, Dad had to spend $3,000 to push living room wall out 3 feet to accomodate new china cabinet Mom bought on sale, she will never live that down.
A preacher bought our house, the extra feet in L-shaped living and dining room were perfect for his wife’s bible study, no sliding door was on their list due to health issues, and turns out all the colors she picked were perfect for them.
You’ve had to weild the sword against the enemy as he didnt want your house to be saved for this preacher. Satan wanted you to be mad and upset and disscouraged and forget about selling your house. You won.
Thanks Jeanette! I would be here all night if I told you of all the doors that were closed! We even thought about just abandoning the house. God’s timing is perfect- we just have to stand firm. amen
Wow! That is SO COOL!!!! Praying this is the plan the Lord has had in place all along, Cher!!! Thank You Jesus!!!!
Thanks Christi- May His will be done- it was just such a Divine appointment- like an angel came into our home! Glimpses of Glory!
Need to be refreshed and renewed in a big way! Thankful for finding this on line study and already read the first couple of chapters. I love the way Lisa communicates in her writing and speaking. Just reading God’s word in the blog on in the book felt so refreshing and encouraging.
Very glad you are here Sarah! May the Lord bless you during this journey together!
Great blog, Jennifer! As always, your words carry such teaching and blessing! I am so encouraged by all of you! <3
Starting late but determined to get in this completely in!!! Ephesians 6:13-17 that’s where I’ll be selecting my wardrobe accessories from!!!