Put Your Guard Up - Encouragement Café - November 18, 2014

Put Your Guard Up

Café Menu for Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Today’s Special is: Strengthening Yourself and Your Family Against the Enemy.

Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Katie Smith

Main Ingredient:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:12 NIV

Entrée:

War. Battle. Fighting. Armor.

These aren’t really words that come to mind when we think about preparing for the holidays. Because of the busyness and all the distractions of this time of year they are words that are easy to forget. Actually, most of us would rather avoid them.

Spiritual battle is happening all around us, especially when we least expect it. It’s when we least expect it that Satan sees we have our guard down and takes that opportunity to chip away at the wall we thought we had built against him. It’s when we think that we are strong that we are actually admitting a weakness.

Holidays, no matter which ones, can be times when the work of both God and Satan can be more evident. Holidays are times where you will see families united and divided. They’re times that bring distant friends together or pile stress up until it fractures friendships. Many situations are restored during festivities, but you will also see many hearts hardened and hurt.

Before we start our holidays, why don’t we prepare our schedules in order fight against the enemy and draw closer to God? Let’s make it a goal to spend specific time with God each day; in prayer and reading time, both listening and talking to our powerful Warrior. Let’s strengthen our families in order to see God move in them. Let’s fight this battle instead of hoping it might pass us by!

There will be a battle whether we intentionally participate or not. Satan is waiting in the dark. He wants to harm us, and he wants us to fail. Let’s stand against him, side with Victory, and defeat him so our families and our relationships will be stronger and more fruitful.

Prayer is a powerful weapon, it brings our needs and wants in front of the Creator and shows him that we acknowledge his infinite power and strength. It can show we are humble, and it helps us feel centered and at peace. Prayer, even simple words, is able to destroy strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4). Take hold of that truth and don’t let Satan tell you otherwise!

This holiday season, let’s recognize that we have an enemy that is out to destroy us, and let’s fight against him! The Bible describes our armor for a reason.

Let’s put it on and use it!

Take Out:

Choose an allotted amount of days before the holiday (12 Days of Christmas maybe?).

Each day, pick a different family member to focus your prayer on. Every time you think of them during the day, cover them with prayer and protection against the enemy. Clothe these loved ones in God’s armor and remember that

the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James 5:16

Also, remember to journal the dates and names you’ve prayed for during this time. You’ll be in awe when you see that your prayers have been heard.

Dessert:

Lord, help me to realize the power of prayer. I pray that I would be able to dedicate specific time to spend with You each day. Help me to desire You above everything else and to focus on You in spite of the busyness of the holiday. Amen.

For more encouragement, visit Katie at her website Glory, where she encourages you to Bring God Glory in your every-day life.

© 2014 by Katie Smith. All rights reserved.

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