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Here we are again – -continuing our study in Girlfriends With Swords, by Lisa Bevere. Tonight, we will try to grab hold of what Becoming a Warrior means. But, first let’s play a game with Chapters 1-5.
You might say these chapters took us through Basic Training, preparing us to be a warrior in God’s army. In an effort to make sure their groups are spiritually fit for the front line of duty, Amy, Christi, Laurie, and Kim devised a Girls With Swords Trivia Game.
Here’s how it works: Christi made cards with words or scriptures taught in Basic Training. A contest is going on between Group 1 and Group 2 to see who can be the first to answer all the questions on the cards.
If you missed the games, take a minute and play. On your mark! Get Set! Go!
Wasn’t that fun? I need to review several of those scriptures. I think I’ve been grazing and not feasting on the Word. (Ugh) Time to head over to the bonfire. I’m anxious to hear Teresa, Jennifer, Tonya, and Diane speak on Becoming a Warrior.
Teresa
Lisa gives us words a WARRIOR would understand: strategy, intuition, vision, wisdom, patience, persistence, tenacity, a unified voice, and concerted effort. This requires us to develop Maturity as a Spiritual Warrior.
The Apostle Paul spoke to people in Hebrews 6 about becoming mature Christ followers.
“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.” (NLT)
The basic teachings are very important. Once a new believer understands the basic lessons, it is time to practice what was learned and “move forward” toward maturity.
We have a CHOICE to believe, a CHOICE to mature,
and a CHOICE to live in a way that brings Honor and Glory to God the Father.
Jennifer
Girlfriends, warriors are not hired; they are called. David had an elite group of men fighting with him. They were not soldiers, hired to do a particular job. They were called to the task.
As Lisa said: ”You are at once a daughter and a warrior.” There is no separation between the two. If you are a part of God’s family—a part of His army—then you are one of His warriors.
I think many of us are scared to be warriors. We want to just “get by.” But, I am challenging you today to rise up!
Face Your Fear Today and
Put Your Trust in God!
Tonya
All soldiers are trained, but in addition to being trained, a warrior will be tempered. For example:
- A warrior isn’t quick to teach a lesson; they aren’t quick to avenge a wrong done.
- They are compelled to offer grace and compassion, and to show God’s love.
- They are led by God to do what is needed when it is needed, whether it is to offer grace, or to stand up and fight.
- Warriors seize the opportunity to make a difference in an area where they can bless others and where God’s love can shine through them.
Lisa said: “the processing of tempering may not be pleasant or quick,” but the outcome is this: “the warrior woman, not only sees what our enemy is doing, but can follow God’s lead into battles with His promises in our hearts.’”
Are you ready to sign on to be
more than a soldier?
Diane
Have you opened your ears and heard the Lord call your name? Are you covering your ears with fear of the unknown after you hear Our Mighty King whisper His warrior-princess’s name?
- Fear will always be a part of our lives, but it does not have to be the driving force behind our actions or lack thereof.
- Fear, when placed in the right manner, will only drive us closer to God Himself.
- We must fear God and keep His commandments. We do this by coming to a revelation of Who God truly is and what He has truly done for us. This revelation drives us to be obedient because of the deep love we possess for our One and Only King.
All of us have a perfect will for our lives, and also a perfect love that drives out any fear that tries to prevent us from living out God’s perfect will for us. 1 John 4:18 says: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
As warrior-princesses-in-training,
we all possess God’s perfect love in our hearts.
Where God’s love is, fear doesn’t stand a chance.
**********
After Diane spoke, praise and worship lasted into the midnight hour under the glow of the heavenly lights.
Something else very exciting has been taking place at our meetings. Word has gotten around the campground about “those women” who gather nightly at the bonfire. First there were one or two outsiders who visited the meetings, and now a big crowd has joined us. Lisa said: “Warriors will lead and irresistibly compel others to join the cause.”
You go, girlfriends! MIGHTY WARRIORS YOU ARE!
Let’s pray: Father God, I thank You that You have called us to be warriors. May we not take Your calling carelessly, but serve You with honor, and free of fear. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen
*****
If you would like to join us for the “Girls with Swords” Online Bible/Book study, click HERE to be taken to our sign-up page. Once you complete the enrollment process, we will email you further details. We hope you will join us!
About Martha Bush
I have my answers all ready for you Martha. Where do you want them posted? HERE, or in the Discussion Groups?
Ok, so is the contest real or a fun review!? 🙂 In any case, I liked going through it.
After reading the review and speaking aloud your prayer, Martha, I had tears of humility and gratitude.
Psalm 103:11–“For as high as the Heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him;”
Psalm145:”Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.”
PRAISE THE LORD!
It is for real, Clella. Look back at the discussion group that you are in on Facebook. We are having a contest between the discussion groups! Participate here, talk about it in the group! May the best Team win!!! 🙂
Chap 1
1. target
2. you really are; purpose
3. who you might be in the future; who you have been in the past
4. hero; choice
Chap2
1. sword; Word of God
2. sword
3. True
4. the sword of the Word
Chap 3
1. Way
2. faith
3. the Spirit of the Lord
4. cloud of witnesses; weight/hindrance; race
Chap 4
1. rulers, authorities, cosmic powers over this present darkness, spiritual forces of evil
2. helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, belt of truth, shoes of readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, shield of faith, sword of the Spirit
3. heart, voice, vision and purpose
4. envy, hatred, discord, sexual immorality, idolatry and witchcraft
Chap 5
1. Sword
2. I know it but can’t type it from memory very well. So here it is from my NIV Bible:
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. BUT He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
I’m in Group 1! 🙂
Go Clella! You ROCK
This contest is for real, Clella. Place your answers here on the blog. Don’t feel bad if you don’t remember all of them. That part is the fun part, but still we are having a contest. Check out all of Christi’s instructions in the groups this morning, and then come back here and answer. And yes, it is humbling to know we have been called to be His warrior.
ok, here goes…
chapter 1:
target
you truly are / purpose
who you might be / your past
hero / choice
chapter 2:
sword / Word of God
sword
true
it is written
chapter 3:
way
faith
the Spirit
cloud of witnesses / weight / race
chapter 4:
principalities…powers…rulers of darkness of this world…spiritual wickedness
shield of faith / helmet of salvation / sword which is the spirit / breastplate of righteousness
heart…voice…vision
envy, idolatry, strife, jealousy, anger
chapter 5:
sword
(i could honestly only do one verse) He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our guilt and iniquities, the chastisement needed to obtain peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed and made whole (v5)
(given that my answers are 😉 mostly right) may i please be counted in both groups, as i am IN both groups? that way i can, if possible, help both groups! <3
Coleen you crack me up!! <3. Of course we would be blessed to have you in our group #1. Notice we are group #1!!! 🙂
yay! so count (whatever i get right!) in for BOTH #1 AND #2 <3
Group 2
Chapter One
1. target. 2. you really are, what the purpose. 3. who youmight be in the future than who you have been in the past. 4. hero, choice.
Chapter Two
1. sword, Word. 2. sword. 3. True. 4. “It is written.”
Chapter Three
1. way. 2. faith. 3. the Spirit 4. cloud of witnesses, thing, race
Chapter Four
1. rulers, authorities, powers of the dark, spiritual forces of evil
2. belt of truth, feet fitted with readiness, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, word of the Spirit.
3. heart, voice, vision and purpose
4. rage, slander, gossip, pride, envy
Chapter Five
1. a sword
2. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrow, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pieced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities and the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (NIV)
Group 1
1..
Target
You really are & what the purpose
Who you might be in the future than who you have been in the past
Hero; the choice is ultimately
2.
Sword
The word of God
“Sword”
True
The Word
3.
Way
Faith
Our spirit
Crowd of witnesses
Strip off all weight
Race
4.
Evil rulers, authorities of the unseen world, mighty powers in this dark world, & evil spirits.
Belt of truth, body armor, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword.
One heart, one mind
Sex immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery
5.
SWORD
Isaiah 53:4-6: when we where weak -He carried us. We thought his death was for his sin – we where fooled. He was pierced, he suffered, was beaten, so we could be healed yet we are but like sheep easily lead astray. Yet he took it all for us.
Group 2 Baby!!! The PRINCESS Warriors are IN IT TO WIN IT!!!
Chapter 1
1. Because you are a Christian, you are the TARGET of Satan.
2. Satan has made it his aim to distract you from who YOU REALLY ARE and what the PURPOSE of your life truly is.
3. The attacks on your life have much more to do with WHO YOU MIGHT BE IN THE FUTURE than WHO YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST.
4. You might be a HERO; the CHOICE is yours.
Chapter 2
1. Ephesians 6: 17: Take the helmet of salvation and the SWORD of the Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD.”
2. Lisa says that “Hidden within the combination of letters that spell “God’s word” is a “SWORD.”
3. Everything we need or will need is hidden in His Word. (True or False)
4. Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness. Afterwards, Satan made several attempts to test Him. Jesus responded with: “IT IS WRITTEN”.
Chapter 3
1. Your journey toward becoming a hero begins when you simply grant God permission to have His WAY.
2. Our ancestors attained the status of hero by FAITH. (Hebrews 11:1)
3. Our hero status is not dependent on our human might or power, but by GOD’S SPIRIT. (Zechariah 4:6)
4. Hebrews 12:1: “We are surrounded by a great CLOUD OF WITNESSES; let us lay aside every THING THAT HINDERS US and run the RACE that is set before us.
Chapter 4
1. Eph. 6: 12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the RULERS – POWERS OF DARKNESS – SPIRITUAL FORCES – (could only think of 3 w/o looking!!!) (Name 4)
2. Eph. 6:14-17 lists the parts of the armor of God needed to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Name them. (6) 1) BELT OF TRUTH 2) BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS 3) READINESS 4) SHIELD OF FAITH 5) HELMET OF SALVATION 6) SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
3. God’s plan for redemption is for us to become ONE HEART, VOICE, VISION, PURPOSE, and one name, kingdom, and mandate to glorify Jesus.
4. Division keeps us from becoming ONE. Galatians 5:19-21 lists 12 faces of division. Name 5. SEXUAL IMMORALITY, IMPURITY, IDOLATRY, WITCHCRAFT ( I got 4!! Does that count???!!!)
Chapter 5
1. Many words describe the cross; what new word does Lisa introduce us to call it? SWORD
2. 50 point Bonus Question: (Quote Isaiah 53:4-6
a. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;….. by His stripes we are healed. (Ok, so I didn’t get the whole thing, but gave it a good try!!)
GROUP 2
Ch. 1
1. Enemy
2. You are, purpose
3. Your future, your past
4. Hero, choice
Ch. 2
1. Sword, Word of God
2. Sword – a “God Sword”
3. True (even though He still speaks to us in other ways)
4. “Away from me Satan….” “it is not by bread alone, but by the Word of God…” “…you should not put the Lord your God to the test…”
(Not sure which part this is asking for, haha)
Ch. 3
1. Way
2. Faith
3. Him in us
4. Cloud of witnesses, sin that so easily entangles, race
Ch. 4
1. Powers, principalities, authorities, darkness of the unseen world…?
2. Helmet of Salvation, Breastplate of Righteousness, Sheild of faith, Feet fitted with the readiness of the Gospel of Peace, Sword of the Spirit, Belt of Truth….and PRAYER! 🙂
3. Voice, heart, mind…?
Ch. 5
1. The Sword?
THANK YOU LADIES FOR A FUN AND CHALLENGING TRIVIA REVIEW OF SECTION 1. I get so much out of the weekly reviews Martha does and this just tops it off!!!!
Chapter 1:
1) Target
2) Who you really are
What the purpose of your life truly is
3) Who you might be in the future
Who you have been in the past
4) Hero
Choice
Chapter 2
1) Sword
Word of God
2) Sword
3) True
4) The Word of God
Chapter 3
1) way
2) Their acts of faith
3) God’s Spirit (Spirit of the lord)
4) cloud of witnesses
weight
race
Chapter 4
1) rulers
authorities
cosmic powers over this present darkness
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places
2) Belt of Truth
Breastplate of righteousness
Gospel of Peace (shoes)
Shield of Faith
Helmet of Salvation
Sword of the Spirit (Word of God)
3) Heart
one vision
purpose
4) pride
gossip
idolatry
bitterness
strife
5) Croise
I can’t quote Isaiah 53:4-6 verbatim; but I can type it! Does that count? Working on memorizing totally instead of just phrases!!!
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
FORGOT TO SAY – I AM IN GROUP 2 – GO LEADER AMY!!!!
Group 2 is rocking the challenge! Way to go, PRINCESS WARRIORS! I think I need to bedazzle something pink this weekend <3
I like the way you think Amy:)
Group 2
Chapter1
1)target
2)a) you really are
b) purpose
3)a) who you might be in the future
b) who you have been in the past
4) a) Hero
b) choice
Chapter 2
1a) Sword
b) word of God
2) Sword
3) True
4) the word of God
Chapter3
1) Way
2)their act of faith
3) my spirit, says the Lord of Host
4)a) cloud of witnesses
b) weight and sin which clings so closely
c) race of endurance
Chapter4
1a) Rulers
b) authorities
c) cosmic powers over this present darkness
d) spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places
2)Belt of Truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Helmet of Salvation
Sandals of Peace
Sword of the Spirit
Shield of Faith
3)heart, voice, vision and purpose
4) sexual immorality and impure thoughts
eagerness for lustful pleasures
idolatry
participation in demonic activities
hostility
quarreling
jealousy
outburst of anger
selfish ambitions
feeling everyone is wrong except those in your group
envy
drunkedness and wild parties
Chapter 5
1) Love,grace,freedom,forgiveness,redemption, Jesus, life,mercy,sacrifice,and overwhelming gratitude
Lisa introduces us to call the cross the Sword because the cross was used to kill hostility between God and man.
2) Isaiah 53:4-6 Working on the memorization.
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins!But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.
Group 1 rocks!
Chapter 1
1. Target
2. Who you really are, what the purpose
3. Who you might be in the future, who you have been in the past
4. Hero, choice
Chapter 2
1. Sword, Word
2. Sword
3. True
4. It is written
Chapter 3
1. Way
2. Faith
3. My Spirit say the Lord of hosts
4. Cloud of witnesses, weight, and the sin which clings so closely, race
Chapter 4
1. Rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic power over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places
2. Gird your loins with TRUTH, put on the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS, take up the shield of FAITH with which you will be able to extinguish the flaming missiles of the evil one, and take the helmet of SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit which is the WORD OF GOD
3. Heart, one voice, one vision, and purpose
4. Bitterness, offense, slander, gossip, strife
Chapter 5
1. The cross as a sword
Is. 53: 4-6
“Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted, But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”
Ok this was AWESOME! I loved reviewing these past five chapters!! Such goooood stuff:) Here are my answers:
Chapter 1:
1. Because you are a Christian you are the target of Satan.
2. Who you really are and what the purpose of your life truly is.
3. Who you might be in the future, than who you have been in the past.
4. Hero the choice is YOURS!
Chapter 2
1. Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God.
2. SWORD
3. TRUE
4. His Sword, God’s word
Chapter 3
1. way
2. faith
3. By the power of God’s Spirit
4. (I have this one memorized in NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1
Chapter 4
1. (I have this one memorized in NIV) Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
2. Belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit, shield of faith, AND PRAY!!!!!
3. HEART AND MIND
4. gossip, wrath, strife, bitterness, curses
Chapter 5
1. SWORD
2. I do not have this one memorized, BUT it is on my list:)
Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6
I am in both groups so I ditto what Coleen said:)
she dittoed me! ;-} <3
Group 1- Oh yeah!! 🙂
Chap 1
Target
You really are/what the purpose
Who you might be in the future
Who you have been in the past
Hero/ the choice is yours
Chap 2
Sword
word
Sword
true
It is written
Chap 3
Way
Faith
Cloud of witnesses
Thing that hinders
race
Chap 4
Rulers, against the powers and principalities
Belt of truth, helmet of salvation, shoes of the gospel of peace, breastplate righteousness, shield of faith, sword of the Spirit
Heart, voice, vision
sexual immorality, envy, idolatry, anger, pride
Chap 5
Sword
He bore our sicknesses and carried our pain, but we regarded Him struck down by God and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, punishment for our peace was on Him – and we are healed by His wounds.
Chapter 1
1. target 2. you really are / what the purpose 3. Who you might be in the future than who you have been in the past 4. hero/ choice
Chapter 2
1. sword/ word of God 2. sword 3. true 4. “It is written”
Chapter 3
1. way 2. faith 3. the spirit 4. cloud of witnesses/ thing that hinders us/ race
chapter 4
1. evil spirits. rulers, powers of the dark, 2. helmet of salvation, shield of faith, belt of truth, feet ready, word of the spirit, breastplate of righteousness 3. one heart, one mind 4. Sex immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery
5. sword 2.Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. BUT He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
This is going to be such a close contest!! 🙂
Chapter 1 GROUP 2
1. Target 2. You really are / purpose 3. Who you might be / who you have been in the past
4. Hero / the choice
Chapter 2.
1. Sword of the spirit , which is the word of God
2. Sword God word
3. True
4. It is written
Chapter 3
1. Permission to have His way
2. Faith
3. By the spirit
4. Cloud of witnesses,/ lay aside every weight / and run the race
Chapter 4
1. Rulers / world/ spiritual / wickedness in high places
2. truth / breastplate / righteousness / gospel of peace / shield of faith / helmet of. Salavation / sword of the spirit
3. One heart / one mind
4. Pride / wrath / gossip / strife / bitterness/
Chapter 5
1. Sword
2 . Isaiah 53:4-6
Verse 4–surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows yet we considered him stricken by God smitten by him and afflicted
5– but he was pierced for our transgressions he was crushed for our iniquities the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed
6– we all like sheep have gone astray each of us has turned to his own way and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Group 2:
Chapter 1:
1. target
2. you really are; purpose
3. who you might be/who you have been
4. hero/choice
Chapter 2:
1. sword; word of God
2. God Sword
3. True
4. “It is written” – the sword of the Word.
Chapter 3:
1. way
2. faith actions
3. God’s spirit
4. Cloud of witnesses/weight/race
Chapter 4:
1. Ruer, authorities, cosmic powers, spiritual forces of evil.
2. Helmet, breast plate, loins girded about, shield of righteousness, sword, feet shod.
3. heart, one voice, one vision and purpose.
4. Pride, rage, wrath, contention, slander
Chapter 5:
1. Sword
2. Isaiah 53:4-6: “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken,smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions,He was bruised for our iniquities;the chastisement for our peace was upon Him,and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”