Standing Strong

We stand stronger when we stand together. Me and my grandkids during Vacation Bible Camp a couple of years ago.

Most of us want to be confident, strong, able to stand and not give up or wave the white flag of defeat when under pressure; yet there will be times when our enemies loom large. Maybe you lack confidence in your new position at work. You’re excited about it, but a little nervous that you might mess up and disappoint your boss, your team and your family. Of course there are other battles that we face that seem big too – everything from financial pressures to weight loss battles, growing older, relationships, health issues, so many things can become battle grounds. What helps us to stand strong? Ephesians 6:10-17 gives us armor that we can wear and shows us how we can stand strong against our “enemy”. Of course, let’s be sure we are standing against the real enemy and not fighting just to be fighting. It’s easy to get distracted from the real battle.

I had the privilege this week of teaching a group of preschoolers about the armor of God during their Bible week. It was fun, energetic and they really got it. Here’s an overview of what I shared with them.

Day 1: We learned that God doesn’t expect us to fight the enemy on our own. Whether we are an adults or a preschoolers, we can fight the enemy, but not with our own strength. We stand strong in God’s mighty power. Our enemy is big, but God is way bigger than any enemy we might face.
Verse: “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10
Our Bible story for Day 1 was about King Jehoshaphat – I’ve included it below. Jehoshaphat went to battle not in his own strength or the strength of his army, but rather in God’s strength.

Day 2: We learned that God gives us the Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteousness to wear. The Belt of Truth is put on first. It helps to keep the other armor in place. Put in simple preschool words, it means no lying and no believing lies. It’s really integrity – living and acting with honesty. The enemy wants to lie, steal, distract us from the real battle and he attacks us when we are vulnerable, often when we are isolated.
The Breastplate of Righteousness protects the heart. It means do the good things that honor God. Make good choices.
The Bible story that day was about the Good Shepherd searching for his little lost lamb. The lamb had wandered away, gotten lost and was all alone, but the Good Shepherd (Jesus) found him and brought him home.

Day 3: The focus was on the Shoes of Peace & the Shield of Faith.
Again, put in simple terms, the Shoes of Peace illustrates how we can live with no worries or fears because of Jesus. He is always with us. We can share peace with those around us by sharing the good news about Jesus.
The Shield of Faith reminds us to Trust Jesus. The shield stops the fiery darts of the enemy. Don’t worry, trust Jesus, He cares for you.
Bible Story – Barnabas & Paul. Barnabas showed peace when he welcomed Paul even though others were reluctant to do so after his conversion. Both Barnabas & Paul trusted Jesus and they took the gospel of peace to others.

Day 4: Helmet of Salvation & the Sword of the Spirit.
The Helmet of Salvation is what Jesus did for us on the cross. It’s accepting His sacrifice, knowing that Jesus rescues me much like the good shepherd rescued the little lamb. The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God, the Bible. It’s important to listen to and learn God’s Word. It’s our only offensive weapon. When the enemy comes to lie or distract us, we can respond with the truth that we have learned in God’s Word.

Day 5: We reviewed all the pieces of armor and what they meant.
Bible Story – David and Goliath. David stood strong against the enemy. He didn’t face the giant in his own strength or with the king’s armor, though King Saul offered his armor. David faced the giant clothed in God’s armor with just a sling and five stones. God gave him the victory.

Whatever you are facing, you too can stand strong, because God is on your side. When you are living honestly, sharing peace, living to honor God, trusting Jesus and facing your “giants” clothed with all of God’s armor, you are on the winning side. Stand strong!

“Put on all God’s armor. Then you can remain strong against the devil’s evil plans.” Eph. 6:11 If there is ever a day and time to stand strong, it’s now. Get up, put on God’s armor and stand to your feet. There’s a battle going on.

PARENT PRAYER:
Father God,
Give me eyes to see the true battle going on and not get caught up fighting the wrong enemies. It’s so easy to become distracted by the things around me, job concerns, problems in relationships or just life. I may become frustrated with my boss, my kids, my spouse or the guy who cuts me off on the highway, yet these are not the true battles. I may be worried about finances, the price of gas, taking care of those around me or the rickety steps off my deck, but these are not the true battles either. Give me peace, strength, faith and grace to face all of these things and more as I look to you. Teach me to look to you daily and clothe myself in your mighty armor. Amen

WAYS TO CLOTHE OURSELVES IN GOD’S ARMOR

• Stand in God’s strength not your own. When we try to do it on our own, we will fall or become prideful, but when we go with God, we will see victory.
  
  • Know who the real enemy is – It isn’t your kids or your spouse although it may seem like that sometimes. The real enemy is the one who lies to us, distracts us and tries to isolate us from those we love.
    
    • Don’t isolate, but relate. Stay in relationship with others. Isolation makes us vulnerable to enemy attack and it’s hard to ward off the enemy on our own. Find a group of like-minded people to be with. Whether it be a work related group, healthy eating group, parenting or faith-based group, (especially faith-based) do life together. You can share your experiences, your successes and your struggles. You can also pray for one another.
      
    • Live with integrity. Know your values. List them out if it helps, but know what you value and stand for those values. Be honest with yourself and others. Be true to who God made you to be, true to who you are. Don’t compromise those values for momentary gratification or because someone else asks you to.
      
    • Trust God with your worries or concerns and share peace with others. As much as you are able, live at peace with others. Always be ready to share the hope that you have in God with those who ask you about that hope.
      
    • If you haven’t yet trusted Jesus as your Savior, your rescuer, the one who died for you, dare to give Him a try. Admit your sins, your waywardness and shortcomings. Ask Him to forgive you and be your friend. It only takes a little prayer to welcome Him.
      
    • Read your Bible. Read it for yourself and your kids. There is a lot of practical advice in it as well as encouragement and stories of God’s amazing love. A very practical book in the Bible is Proverbs.

Kid’s Section

STORY: God Is Strong – Jehoshaphat – 2 Chron. 20 & Eph. 6
King Jehoshaphat was a good king. He loved God. (Give self a hug.) One day he heard (Hand by ear.) that a BIG army was coming to fight his country. He was alarmed – that means he was very scared. His army wasn’t big enough or strong enough to fight the enemy army. He didn’t know what to do so he decided to ask God for help. (Show praying hands.) He asked the people to come together to pray.

Jehoshaphat prayed, “Lord, we don’t know what to do! We are looking to you for help.” Jehoshaphat knew that he wasn’t strong enough to fight the enemy, but He knew that God was strong. No enemy can stand against God.

God told Jehoshaphat, “Don’t be afraid or worry because the battle is not yours. It is God’s battle! You will not have to fight this battle. Just stand and watch the Lord save you.”When Jehoshaphat and all the people heard this, (Hand by ear.) they worshiped and praised God. (Wave arms and say, “Praise the Lord!“)

The next morning when Jehoshaphat and his army marched out to meet the enemy, (Stand and start marching.) Jehoshaphat said, “Have faith in God and you will stand strong!“ Then Jehoshaphat had the singers go first singing praises to God. As they began to sing and praise God, the Lord set an ambush for the enemy army and the enemy was defeated.

Jehoshaphat’s army didn’t win because they were strong, they didn’t go to battle in their own strength. They won because they were strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. They prayed and did what God wanted them to do.

Our enemy, the devil is big. He wants to lie to us, steal our ‘God dreams’ and make us afraid. He wants us to forget that we have a VERY BIG God who loves us. We are not strong enough to fight the devil on our own, but our strength comes from God and His mighty power. When we put on God’s armor and listen to God instead of listening to the enemy, we will win. God has already won the battle against the devil so we can be strong just like Jehoshaphat was. We can praise God because He is strong and mighty. He will fight for us.
Who is the enemy? The devil.
How can you stand strong? I can wear God’s armor and look and listen to God not the enemy.

MEMORIZE: Eph. 6:10 (Hands like holding a book.)
Be strong – (Show muscles.)
In the Lord – (Point up.)
And in His – (Clap.)
Mighty Power – (Pump muscles twice.)

KNOW: God is good. He loves and cares for His people.
TALK ABOUT: God’s armor -Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shoes of Peace, Helmet of Salvation, Shield of Faith and Sword of the Spirit
ASK: Who loves you? God loves me. Who is good? God is good.
AND DO… Put on God’s armor and stand strong.

FUN IDEAS FOR THIS WEEK:

• Pretend to put on God’s armor everyday. Make it a game. EX: Let’s put on your Belt of Truth – Don’t lie, listen to what is true, Breastplate of Righteousness – Honor God with what you do, Shoes of Peace – Don’t worry, God is with us, Shield of Faith – Trust Jesus. Helmet of Salvation – Jesus saves or rescues me, Sword of the Spirit – The Bible. You’re dressed and ready little soldier, stand strong.
  
• Pray about everything. One sentence prayers are fine.
  
  PRAYER:
  Dear God, Help me to stand strong because you are strong. Remind me that your mighty power will help me. I can pray whenever I need help. I’m so glad that you are with me and that you are way bigger than the enemy. I love you God. Amen