March Bible Study: War With Words

[Amy Wallace]

Ever feel at war with the clock?

So much to do and not enough time to get it done. How about beaten down by circumstances and too tired to fight through another day?

If you'd like to learn a better way than the snooze button or coffee to handle the daily onslaught, read on!

The Best Battle Plan

Know what you're up against:

“Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued.” (Ephesians 6:12-13 The Message)

Be dressed for success:

Put on God's whole armor, the armor of a heavy-armed soldier, which God supplies, that you may be able successfully to stand up against all the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

Lord, as I face the frontline and battles I can't win alone, protect me with the armor You supply.

Stand therefore, hold your ground, having tightened the belt of truth around your loins...

Lord, help me recognize the enemy's lies about my life and refuse to believe them. Let me see instead that You have called me with a holy calling, not according to my works, but according to Your own purpose and plan. I wrap Your truth around me and stand firm in You.

Having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God...

Lord, protect my heart. Because of who You are and who I am in You, I can come boldly to Your throne and ask for the grace I need today. Help me not live by feelings, but by faith. I wear Your righteousness, holiness, and purity today.

And having shod your feet in preparation to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news of the Gospel of peace.

Lord, show me the big picture today. Help me see what You created me for and how today is a part of my story to glorify You. Lead me into worshipping You as I work, that all I do honors You. Show me the adventure that awaits us today, Daddy. Help me rest, at peace in You. I strap Your gospel to my feet. Take me where You will today.

Lift up over all the covering shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked one.

Lord, help me believe that You are good and that You have good plans for me. Help me not look to circumstances as evidence of Your favor. Help me instead see that You are the giver of all good gifts in Your perfect time. And the best gift of all is basking in Your awesome presence and enjoying You forever. I lift up the covering shield of saving faith, fully protected in You.

And take the helmet of salvation...

Lord, protect my mind. Enable me to live in Your grace and extend that grace to others. I put on Your head covering of salvation. Thank You, Jesus for saving me!

And the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.

Lord, I trust that You will fight for me, for the battle is Yours. Wield the Word of God in my heart and enable me to listen and learn. And then proclaim Your truth in all I do and say. Thank You for saving me and daily making me more like Christ. Enable me to counter the whispers of the enemy with Your holy and awesome Truth. I hold out the Word of God as a sword to go before me everywhere I go.

Pray at all times on every occasion, in every season, in the Spirit, with all manner of prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints, God's consecrated people.

Lord, I keep in step with You as I focus on You today. Teach me to pray without stopping. Help me remember that I fight best when I fight in prayer. Let me encourage my brothers and sisters today as I lift them up to You. Keep me alert and willing to sacrifice my schedule to join You where You are. I love You, Lord.

Amen

Stay close to Jesus:

Remember that even when we've prayed and are walking fully dressed in the armor and focused on God the enemy loves sneak attacks. Praise the Lord that none of them take Him by surprise. But if they catch us in a weak moment, our loving Father always has His arms open wide for us to run into.

Never pass up an opportunity to let God envelope you in His embrace and strengthen you with His words of truth. There and only there is the safest place of all to rest. And every war-wise warrior knows that rest is more vital than air to fighting the good fight~ the fight of faith.
_________________
Amy Wallace
Wife to wonderful hubby David 12-31-94
Mom to three incredible blessings
Beloved child of the King
I Thessalonians 5:16-24

[Amy Wallace]

1) How hard is it to start the day with prayer? Why?

2) Is it helpful for you to follow a prayer guide? Why or why not?

3) What other resources do you use to study the Word?

I hope you all will jump in with a comment, an answer to a question, or raise a question of your own.

Abundant blessings,
Amy
_________________
Amy Wallace
Wife to wonderful hubby David 12-31-94
Mom to three incredible blessings
Beloved child of the King
I Thessalonians 5:16-24