Are you ready for Battle?

As you do your best daily to put on the full Armor of God, it is humbling to see yourself, your failures, and the worst parts of your past come to life in your children.  Anyone out there having a teenager will understand this one.  You talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, till you turn 3 shades of blue, but to no avail.  Soooo desperately you want to shake them awake.  If only you could let them see into your mind in order to catch just a glimpse and absorb even a little of the wisdom you have gained from past heart aches, mistakes, and failures.  You try to share and they nod along; but days later you are looking at a repeat episode like Nick @Night reruns. 

  Eph 6:10-20

I yearn to give them my Armor.  But my helmet of salvation, they cannot have - I can only tell them where to get their own.  My shield of Faith, though it wards off my own demons, does nothing against theirs.  The mighty sword of the spirit, can aid them if they allow me to wield it, but unless they are willing to bare their own, the battle is short lived.  The belt of truth falls at their feet if they are not willing to make the effort to cinch it up.  Righteousness is the very desire you have for their life, but their chest is left exposed as their breastplate lays upon the ground.  Looking at their feet, you see them bare and unready.

I know many of you are struggling with this, but remember our Father in heaven in many ways struggles with this as well.  Time again, we (his children) have refused His help, even the ultimate help of salvation in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Christ is our armor in every sense of the word, but many of us refuse Him, much like our children refuse our help, our wisdom, our guidance.  It pains our Lord to be separated from His children, as it pains you and I to be so distant from our own.   

So what do we do???

We stand and fight!  Share the word with them as much as possible.  Lead from the front, not from the rear.  "Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." ~ 1 Thess 5:16-18.  In other words set the example.

Yes I too, have a difficult time with this one.  "Do what I say not do as I do",  I always say.  But is that what God always says.  I have to admit it is painful to write these words because I feel God reading me like a book as I type.  That is life I guess, and if I expect my son to love, honor, and obey me, then I must first start with the "man in the mirror."

Our Prayer:
Lord God give me the knowledge and wisdom to lead my children as you lead me.  Help me to be loving and kind, but stern and strong when necessary.  Guide me in your truth, and help me to start the change with myself.  May I submit to you, as I pray someday my kids will do as well.  Thank you for giving me the Armor of my Life in Christ Jesus!  AMEN.
     






 

Busy Bee

Got this from a dear friend and I asked if I could share it.  Modified slightly for ease of reading.

  I was sitting on my front steps watching a bee find nectar on a nearby flower.  Definitely feel like God is showing me to persevere in the work He has called me too, because through Him, I will produce a honey that others can enjoy.  God wants me to work hard just like this little bee.

  Then I saw a fly land on the same plant looking for nectar.  Both were striving for the same cause.  Both looking very similar: multiple legs; 2 wings; round head; but one works for his own good while the other works so that others can enjoy the fruit of his labor (Honey).

[...produce fruit that will last] ~ John 15:16a

Our Prayer:
God, help me to be like the bee, deligently working to serve others for you.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, guide me to the flowers (people) in which a bontiful harvest can be yielded for your kingdom.  Help me to be a "busy bee", but not to get caught up in mere busy work.  AMEN!!!