On Our Hearts: Knight in Shining Armor

He leaves his socks by the bed or forgets to put the cap back on the toothpaste - that's right ladies, I'm talking about your husband. That one you stood beside and vowed to love and to cherish. Time has passed and you may look at him now and think he's just an ordinary guy, but he's still your knight in shining armor. Yes, I realize we don't live in medieval times and your husband probably doesn't resemble a noble knight no more than your home resembles a majestic castle. But he desires the adoration and respect just as those brave knights of ancient days had.


Is your knight's armor a little rusty and in need of some polishing? Well then get out the cloth and start scrubbing. Just like the silver your grandmother handed down to you, it's not going to get sparkly and shiny just by sitting in a drawer. Your husband is the same way. You may not have intentionally left him to sit idly by while you take care of the kids, the house, your job or whatever else you've committed yourself to. Take the time right now to take care of him. He's just waiting for you to carefully reveal the hidden layer that attracted you to him. However, instead of using polish apply words of praise. Instead of a soft cloth try buffing him with hugs and kisses. Make his armor shine so bright that he's reflecting you!

Father God,

Thank you so much for the man that you have given me to be my husband. You have divinely put us together to glorify you, Lord. Help me to overlook his blemishes and imperfections. Instead show me my flaws Lord and give me your wisdom and guidance that I may overcome my own faults. Lord show me how I can demonstrate true love to my husband. Give me the desire and ability to make him shine. Even when he I feel he is least deserving, may I still give him the honor he deserves. Let me fulfill his righteous desires and be the wife he longs for.

Amen

"A wife should put her husband first, as she does the Lord. A husband is the head of his wife, as Christ is the head and the Savior of the church, which is his own body. Wives should always put their husbands first, as the church puts Christ first. Ephesians 5:22 - 24

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10, 11

On Our Hearts: You Are a Warrior

This week our prayers have been focusing on the lies that we are deceived into believing about ourselves. The devil's persistence in trying to break us down may be strong but it is no match for God's absolute truth. This week we're going to expose just some of the devil's lies that cloud our thinking and interfere with us having a triumphant life in Christ.

Unlike what we see in the movies or on television the devil doesn't just appear to us with red horns and a pointy tail. He is more cunning than anything we have ever known. The Bible warns us repeatedly of the dangers of his schemes. And just when you think you've got the devil behind you, he sneaks back up and tries to tear you down, especially with our own thoughts. Hopefully this week as you have been praying God has shown you the places where the devil has set traps for you. Don't let the devil get in your head and try to deceive you. Stay vigilant. Be prepared. Put on the whole armor of God and be ready for the attack.

Gracious Father,

Thank you Lord for being our protector against all that is evil. You have covered us with your righteousness. The devil cannot get to us when You stand in the way. Lord just help us to keep You front and center in our lives. Don't let us become ambivilant toward sin and complacent in the world's ways. Keep us ever mindful of the ways that we are being attacked and give us the strength to stand up and stay strong in our faith. You may have delivered us from sin, but we not immune to it. Thank goodness where we are weak, You are strong. When we feel attacked let us not be ashamed to get on our knees and cry out to You, God. A battle cry that breaks through the darkness and shines Your mighty light for all to see.

Amen

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10-11

"Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack. But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith. You know that all over the world the Lord's followers are suffering just as you are." 1 Peter 5:8-9

On Our Hearts: One Of The Family

This week our prayers are going to focus on the lies that we are deceived into believing about ourselves. The devil's persistence in trying to break us down may be strong but it is no match for God's absolute truth. This week we're going to expose just some of the devil's lies that cloud our thinking and interfere with us having a triumphant life in Christ.

I was reading through John during my Bible study this week and was reminded of just how much suffering Jesus Christ endured during that time on the cross. Imagine if you were asked to be placed in front of your office or home nearly naked and beaten and mocked for hours, just so your co-workers or family could live a life free of sin. I'm not so sure I would accept that proposition. Would you? Not only did Christ accept this call on His life, He did it knowing He would suffer in the worst possible way. Without complaint, without manipulation, and without even a mild anesthetic He willfully suffered to welcome us into His family. The devil wants you to think that God is a distant, harsh dictator who only delights in punishing us. The Bible proves that nothing could be further from the truth.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for Your ultimate sacrifice on the cross. We are so thankful that the blood You shed has washed us clean from sin. It is unimaginable the pain and suffering that You endured just for us. We are unworthy of the grace You have given us. God, we are Your child, You have accepted us. A child that longs for Your guidance, counsel, and protection. However, we can rest in knowing that our eternal salvation is secure in You. No amount of sin will compromise that. And no works are required to fulfill it. It is a free gift - underserving. And yet Lord we are so thankful that we no longer have to worry about our eternity. We have a Father in heaven who is ready to scoop us up and hold us in His arms. Our Abba Father who loves us unconditionally. A father who wasn't just handed his child, but a Father who took great care to choose us. What joy to have been chosen by the King of Kings!

Amen

"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure." Ephesians 1:5

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:27

On our Hearts: Things That Matter

Father,

Giggles from the other room, siblings getting along, quiet moments of escape for a moment with You; the dishwasher is running, laundry is done, praise for the little things, the break. This quiet moment is a reminder that the busyness duing the day distracts us from You. We let things get in the way of turning to You, praising You, thanking You for everything during our day.

Father, help us to pause and enjoy these moments. Give us the wisdom to stop and decide whether something is worth stressing over. We thank you for the blessing that is our children - in the peace and in the noise.

Amen

"... to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." - Ephesians 1:6-8