Picture this scene:
God: I have called you to the Mission Field.
Woman: Praise the Lord! I’ve always desired to go into the jungles of Africa and preach your word.
God: I have not called you to “go and preach” my Word in Africa or any other part of the world. I have called you to “stay and show” my love to your un-saved husband. You might say I have called you to be a home missionary.”
Woman: Okay, God, if you insist. But, where do I go to for training? My church sends missionaries to school for training before sending them into the field. And, not that I am hung up on money, but the church even gives them financial support.
God: May I break it to you gently: You won’t be getting either of those.
Woman: What do I get?
God: Quite simply – – the best of ME. As a missionary wife, you are my personal ambassador, and you will receive the best training and equipment any soldier ever had going into battle. You see, a soul is at stake, but my armor is your shield of protection against all attacks, and you will come through each battle in victory and not defeat.
As for the financial support – -your reward shall be great. Just like Esther, you have been brought into the Kingdom for such a time as this.
Woman: I want to know more about this armor.
Weekly Review
Monday: Beverly – Keep Your Armor On—You’re at War– -Beverly points out that when we get up each morning we are entering a battlefield
She directs us to Ephesians 6:12-17 that describes who the battle is with and what to do about it.
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Who? For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers and the powers and the principalities of the air.
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What to do? Put the armor on the whole armor of God and stand.
Beverly points to the fact that our strength for the front line of battle comes from our commander, God. It is God who also provides our armor to wear in order to go into the battle with strength.
She challenges us to wake up each morning, prepare your heart, put on your armor, and stand ready and prepared to help lead your man to the commander by your example
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The question is: “What are the pieces of this armor that God tells us to use?” Jennifer, Donna, and Sarah describes each of the pieces.
Tuesday: Jennifer
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The Belt of Truth – – The enemy will try to deceive us by telling us lies disguised as truth. We can stand firm against Satan’s sneaky attacks by having the Belt of Truth around our waists. With God’s Truth, we can rebuke the devil’s lies, schemes, and manipulations. We can turn to Jesus, who is Truth, when the devil tries to deceive us.
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The Breastplate of Righteousness – – Satan wants to attack us where we are most vulnerable – -in the heart where our emotions and sense of self-worth stem from. Protect your heart with the Breastplate of Righteousness which will never cause you to doubt God’s unending love for you and offer a barrier from despair and discouragement that Satan will try to use against you.
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The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace – – Our foundation is Jesus Christ and the Good News of His saving grace. The shoes that God fits us with will allow us to move when the time is right to share this Good News with others.
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The Shield of Faith – -God’s Shield of Faith will enable us to see past our current circumstances and difficulties to our ultimate victory.
Wednesday: Donna
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Helmet of Salvation
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Sword of the Spirit
Our thoughts can be a real battle. A thought creeps in, and one thought leads to another, invading our mind, which leads to a pity party! Why am I in this marriage with an unsaved husband? Why do I have to be Christ’s representative to this man? I’m not equipped to handle this! I’m not spiritual enough, I’m not good enough!
The Helmet of Salvation and The Sword of the Spirit, God’s Word, is our protection against these doubts and lies that enter our minds.
Donna challenged us to think of our Bible heroes as our examples. When Daniel was told he must bow, he followed his God and put on his armor and went into the battle equipped. Esther fasted and prayed and said “if I perish, I perish” The ULTIMATE sacrifice was Christ when he went to the cross. He went into the garden to pray first and put on his armor. He told the Father, “not my will but yours be done” then he followed through with the plan of Salvation for us all!
Thursday: Sarah concluded the chapter with points on Basic Training
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When someone questions your faith, your beliefs, or your God; you need to be ready to give a logical answer that explains the hope and love you exude for Christ. BUT…you have to do it in a courteous and respectful way without yelling and degrading them.
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It is so important to arm yourself with the Word.
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Dig deeper than what you hear in church or from your most knowledgeable Christian friend. Educate yourself on what is said between the pages of the good book.
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The mission God has given you is to spread His message of love, hope and faith. To complete this mission, it is important to know scriptures and the meanings behind them. Then, once you have sharpened your sword with the Word, you are then able to present His Word logically and courteously.
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In conclusion, I’d like to review the assignments that each blogger gave us this week. May we see them as a way of judging ourselves in order to be better equipped for the call God has on our life – -Missionary Wife.
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Beverly: Have you recognized any attacks from the enemy in your marriages lately? How did you take a “stand” against the enemy? What have you learned new that God has shown you from studying this chapter that will be of help in future attacks against the enemy?
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Jennifer: Which piece of the armor do you have the most difficulty wearing? Which piece is the easiest for you?
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Donna: What is holding you back from putting on the armor everyday?
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Sarah: Share your life verse – -the one that you read and almost felt the earth shake when you were finished!
Friday: Discovery/Prayer – Father, God, I thank you for what you have taught us this week about your armor through Winning Him Without Words, as well as personal thoughts of Beverly, Jennifer, Donna, and Sarah. Help us to make it a part of our daily routine of putting it on as we began our day. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
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Have a blessed day,
Martha
