Hello sisters loved by God! Welcome to the end of week 3!  I really hope you’re taking advantage of the prayer cards in the back of the book and strengthening your prayer strategy. Remember the enemy has a strategy for us so we better have one too in order to fight our battles. I really liked what Priscilla Shirer said on day 1. “Wearing the belt of truth, putting on the shoes and helmet, using the shield or sword – they’ll do you no good if you leave your heart open to a full frontal attack by the devil. You must intentionally protect the organ that pumps vibrancy into your spiritual life. So pray fervently. See God fully.”

As a reminder, we are taking next week off. I Look forward to beginning week 4: The Shoes of Peace when we return. Our intro video with our guest for the week will be posted on Monday, July 11th. I hope you enjoy our recap with Tiffany!

In His Love,
Melisa
One Heart Ministry

Hello sisters! I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed our video and article from our guest, Tiffany this week. I do pray that you all have a chance to slow down and enjoy time with the Lord and with family this next week.

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

1. Share with us what spoke to you most for week 3 as you studied The Breastplate of Righteousness.
2. Reflect on “The Many Faces of Righteousness” on day 2 this week. Share something new you learned or were challenged by.
3. Review the activity and Scripture passages on page 83 related to putting on specific virtues and their spiritual benefits. Which was most encouraging to you personally?
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

“The Breastplate of Righteousness”

Looking into the mirror; week 3, early morning before the hurried hustle and bustle of the day begins. I am contemplating as I see my reflection through my bathroom mirror, that everything we do or say is the reflected condition in which our heart stands.

God states it so clearly “Guard your heart; above all else that you guard, for out of it flows the spring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). What other immaculate piece of armor; than The Breastplate of Righteousness, to guard against the stare-down of the enemy…who is so eager to entrap us…entangle us. He desires nothing more than to catch you “sleeping” or perhaps being a negligent watch-guard over the single most vital spiritual life source we possess; our hearts.

“The thief only comes to steal, kill & destroy;
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly”
John 10:10

Your mind is the key challenge point that the enemy will use to shoot a spear straight to the center of your heart; protecting your heart against expected AND unexpected attacks is an essential ritual we should be preparing ourselves for each and every moment. The enemy knows that if he can access your heart; he can destroy you, and once the entrapment starts……the ball just keeps on rolling. “I could be a better Wife” or “I should be a better Mother” or “I could be……” the list goes on and on; we’ve all been there, and on a daily basis. There are moments where I get “locked inside my head”; the enemy is on the rise, and I am forced to continually remember that God has given me a weapon strong enough to break any barrier forced upon me…..SPEAK OUT THE WORD OF GOD! “For The Bible is alive and active; sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitude of the heart.” Hebrews 4”12.
As comical as it may be to think about; I will randomly declare blessings through scripture over myself during these quarrels surrounding my heart, and each time God strengthens me to withstand the next seemingly impossible escape. Discouragement, insecurity & self-doubt should be replaced with confidence, security & self-love. Putting on The Breastplate of Righteousness assists God in helping you fight off the fleshly “battle field” in your mind & frustrates the plan to keep you from cultivating new health & spiritual wellness in Christ. (Day 2/week 3 homework reference).

It’s kind of like a prison (bear with me here). The role of the prison guard is two-fold; don’t let anyone in and certainly don’t let anyone out. We as Women; especially, must be more aware and conscious of what we allow not only INTO our hearts…..but OUT of our hearts as well. If you are anything like me (A Woman), you have a soft heart; a vulnerable heart…..the enemy is as aware of this as he is the back of his hand. We can protect ourselves with fervent prayer, with knowledge & wisdom (open God’s Word), with the words that we say (SPEAK LIFE), with what we watch, what we think & through our actions.

It seems like such a simple command; guard your heart, but it has the potential to destroy us if treaded upon lightly. We have God’s powerfully available to us, but so often we forget to take FULL advantage. His word is alive, mercy triumphs over judgment every time; we need to activate His power!! Challenge yourself; equip yourself, and be diligent to do so on every occasion.

Don’t allow; ever again, the “Master Deceiver” to have such an opening to your heart. You are strong, you are brave, you are beautiful, you are more than enough and you are a fellow Sister loved so deeply by God. Put on your Breastplate of Righteousness; stand confident in God’s protection, and stand up to SPEAK IT LOUD & SAY IT OUT:

“I AM RIGHTEOUS!”

~Tiffany Theisen~

Hello everyone!  I hope you all have been enjoying this beautiful summer we’re having. 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. The words righteousness and sanctification are sometimes challenging to understand and define. How would you explain these words and their meaning to a new believer in Christ or someone who does not have any church background?
2. Lie the breastplate on the armor protects the physical body, how does the spiritual piece of armor, the breastplate of righteousness, protect the believer.
3. Describe the subtle difference between truth and righteousness.
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 3: The Breastplate of Righteousness. Lifting you and your families up in prayer!

Have a great week of study!

In His Love,
Melisa
One Heart Ministry

Welcome to week 3 dear sisters! This week we are going to learn about the Breastplate of Righteousness. Priscilla say’s it so wonderfully, “What the breastplate did for the Roman soldier’s physical heart, righteousness does for your spiritual heart. Guards it. Protects it. Shields it from your enemy’s attempts to exact fatal blows to this life-giving source in your soul. But understanding how to utilize this piece of spiritual armor requires you to truly understand what righteousness in and how it works.”

My prayer this week is that you will dig in and “truly understand what righteousness is and how it works” so you can use this piece of armor God gives us effectively!

Here is Tiffany Theisen to kick us off for week 3 – The Breastplate of Righteousness. Let’s get started!