Hello sisters! I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed our video and article from our guest, Cheryl this week. I can’t believe we’re almost to the end of week 2…summer is going too fast! I read a great devotional this morning about a Summer Sabbath. I do pray that you all have a chance to slow down and enjoy time with the Lord and with family this beautiful summer.

Here are a few questions for you to think about. We’re looking forward to hearing your answers.

1. Review page 45 in your homework, what are some practical ways you can teach your children and/or others to have an unwavering and unapologetic allegiance to the truth?
2. How is aligning yourself with truth different from legalism? Why does legalism confine, yet truth sets you free? (Review how you answered on page 56 in your homework)
3. What are some of the most clever illusions you’ve seen the enemy craft in your own life or in the life of a friend?
4. How is your prayer strategy going? Where are you posting your prayers? Is this location working for you?

In His Love,
Melisa
One Heart Ministry

I’m remembering a Tuesday morning in March, when I was on my way to my first week of a new Bible study. During my 10-minute drive to church, I was praying and asking God what I should do in a certain situation in regards to a person I cared deeply about.  Just so you know, I pray with my eyes open while I drive. I promise.

I was concerned about something I suspected going on in someone’s life. I asked God if I should confront this person. I asked God, “Should I take this person out to a restaurant & tell them what I thought I knew or ask a bunch of questions?”  Then I arrived at church and went into the library to start The Armor of God Bible study. As I watched Priscilla Shirer’s DVD with my Bible study group, she said not to do things our own way in troubling circumstances. She said to wait on God and do things God’s way in God’s time. Wow! This was my first week and I was already getting answers. This was just a foretaste of the weeks to come.

Every week I gained insight of who our true enemy is, the different tactics he uses to try and destroy us and how to use the armor God has given us to defeat our enemy. So when I think back on week #2 “THE BELT OF TRUTH” the verse that stuck in my mind was

2 Corinthians 11:14
“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

His disguise may look very close to the light and close to the truth, but close is not actual light or actual truth. The actual light and truth is found in John 9:5 “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” and John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

On Day 5 we reviewed the way the enemy deceived Eve leading to the fall of man. He was subtle,  then he mixed truth with a lie, “Ye shall not surely die…your eyes shall be opened… ” Genesis 3:4-5

We must beware! Satan may make it all seem safe and harmless and fulfilling and justifiable.  The devil is a liar, a manipulator and a deceiver. On a personal note, I do not trust the devil, therefore I do not speak to him or give him commands. It would be pointless. I follow the instructions of

James 4:7
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Satan knows we have weaknesses and he uses them against us. Day 2 was the Truth Checkup (a self-assessment) which helped me become aware of my weaknesses, so I know where the enemy will try to strike and I know what to work on to become stronger.

What had the biggest impact on me was Day 4 starting at page 59, where our book talks about “The Thing About Feelings.”  My “Actionable Intel” for that day was:  Make sure God’s truth is my guide, not my feelings, intellect, gut instincts or past experiences, which can influence my reaction to current circumstances. I know this is the devil’s favorite weapon against me.

So everyday, since my Bible study, I try to remember not to trust my feelings or emotions. I remember I need to run everything under the light and live a life that aligns with GOD’S WORD. I stay aware of my weaknesses and keep them at bay and strengthen my core by strapping on THE BELT OF TRUTH!

Cheryl

Hello everyone! I hope you’ve had an opportunity to watch this weeks video we posted. Today we just want to encourage you to use your prayer cards in the back of the Bible study book, post them someplace you’ll see then throughout your day and join in on the  question/discussion starters here.

1. What challenges you most when you think about basing everything against the standard of God’s Word, the Bible?
2. How might your life be different if you strengthen your spiritual core? What is it going to take to make the commitment to spiritual strength training for your core?
3. Are there any particular ways you are experiencing imbalance, instability, weakness, or internal discord right now?
4. Let us know how we can encourage you and pray for you.

As a reminder, Priscilla Shirer’s videos are available to purchase from Lifeway.com. They are not required for the study. The link to the viewer guides can be found in yesterday’s post, Week 2: The Belt of Truth.

Have a great week of study!

In His Love,
Melisa
One Heart Ministry

Hello, I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Welcome to week 2: The Belt of Truth. This week, we are going to learn about the the first piece of armor Paul talks about in Ephesians 6 and the importance of having a strong core.

As a reminder, on Monday’s we will post a video from our guest for the week and on Wednesday’s an article from them as well. Throughout the week we will post questions and/or discussion starters.  So stay posted here during your study and share with us your thoughts and questions or what God is teaching you. We want to hear from you!

Priscilla Shirer’s videos are optional. They are not required for the study. The videos can be purchased at Lifeway.com if you would like to watch them. If you decide not to watch the videos, click here for the answers to the viewer guides.

Here is Cheryl Nalian to kick us off for week 2 – The Belt of Truth. Let’s get started!