Key Truths for Families - Stand Firm

TRANSCRIPT: Good morning, Five Minute Families. We are continuing in Ephesians chapter 6. So far we have highlighted how families need to know that their esteem is in Christ and not solely in ourselves and that there are battles all around us but those battles are not against each other but against principalities and powers, things that get us off track from putting our faith in connecting to the Lord for strength and encouragement. How do we construct our lives and families to follow the guidance we see Paul teaching here? We get the answer to that question in Ephesians 6:13 - “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” We have said this before: when you see a ‘therefore’ in Scripture, it should make you ask, ‘what is it there for?’ The use of the word ‘therefore’ tells us that we should reflect on what we just heard and be prepared to learn something new. Five-minute families, we should not base our lives on our feelings, which can change quite quickly given different circumstances and situations, but rather we base our lives in the words and concepts that God provides. Here in Ephesians He is providing a way to deal with circumstances and situations in a resilient, definitive way, bringing strength and stability, no matter what is happening around us. Thus, how do we prepare our hearts and families for what God has prepared for us. 1. First, verse thirteen says to ‘take up the full armor of God.’ We will expand on the multiple pieces of the armor in the next several FMF devotions, but it begins with "taking up," an intentional choice and a decision to move forward. Lead your family in the right direction - God's direction. 2. Next, we must ‘be able to resist.’ Know that when you focus on God and not your own understanding, you will be successful. You will be able to resist the temptations and trials that you face. Promote faith that even when you feel weak, He is strong, and you are victorious through Jesus. 3