Stand Firm

My husband and I have been praying about how to prepare our children for various challenges they may encounter in this world.  We have always encouraged them to be loving, to be looking for ways to help others, and to put others first.  But what does that really mean?  For the most part, when dealing with others, (sometimes harder with siblings) at this stage it is an easy thing to do because they are usually with their friends.  The truly hard part is when the person whom they are supposed to be kind to isn’t exactly being kind back...

I was so encouraged by our Pastor’s message this past weekend and felt it was applicable for my daughter so we read Ephesians 6:14-17 and then drew a picture of the full armor of God.  We talked about different situations and what her behavior might look like. We discussed God calling us not to engage or retreat, but to stand firm.  We talked about the only offensive weapon used in these scriptures being the Word of God and how truly difficult that might be when facing opposition. HOWEVER, the reward one day, maybe a saved life.

Christians, our persecutions may not be as severe as others right now around the world and the Lord knows my heart breaks and prays for them!  But we will be persecuted, our children will be persecuted.  We must prepare our little ones for spiritual battles which are to come so that hopefully when they do, they can walk away looking like Jesus...

With God’s Word as our map and a love that only the Father can give us, I pray we are able to stand firm, love and pray for our enemies, remember truth, and teach our children to do all things for the Glory and Honor of God, so that HE may be Glorified!   

Ephesians 6:14-17 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with Truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. 

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Matthew 5:44-45 But I say, love your enemies!  Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven... (Emphasis mine)

Romans 12:17-21 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.