Comments

HEY, GIRLS! We love hearing from you, but feel limited in the ways we can help. For one thing, we’re not trained counselors. If you’re seeking counsel, we encourage you to talk to your pastor or a godly woman in your life as they’ll know more details and can provide you with ongoing accountability and help. Also, the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.

Kenzi
re:
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 1:20 am
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Thanks for that... But what are like practical ways to put on the armor of God? Like how do you put "peace" shoes on or "righteousness" breastplate? I don't know... could you maybe do a post on Ephesians 6:10-18? Thanks...
Joy
Prayer!
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 8:32 am
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Thanks Paula. This is very true: we are not called to disengagement and dullness, but engagement and life and the pursuit of holiness. However, I think it's important to remember that even as we fight the good fight of faith, even our faith is not our own. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8, 9).

By grace we first believed, by grace we are made into His likeness, by grace we fight. The only thing God requires of us is full heart abandonment to His love, a whole-hearted, honest desire to be given over to Him, work for Him, fight for Him, and live our lives devoted to Him. The desire is ours, but the power is His. Our sin natures cannot fight the good fight. We need the Spirit. And while we may work ourselves up to love and good works, ultimately it is the Spirit of Christ who must accomplish these things in us.

So I think the first practical step would be prayer. Ask God to clothe you in His armor. I do this daily, and I find the answers and the growth are not in my trying harder but in His revelations - glimpse by slight glimpse - of His glory and His love. Fight, yes, but fight leaning on Christ.

And the only way we learn to lean on Him more and more to make us, transform us, and strengthen us for battle is by getting to know Him. Hence, prayer again. Reading the Word and prayer - not as a discipline, but as the very air we breathe. Pray, pray, pray. I can't remember the exact quote or who said it right now, but to paraphrase: prayer is not preparation for the battle; prayer IS the battle.
Gods Jewel
Great Post!
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 9:14 am
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To stay engaged in battle we have to keep looking ahead toward Christ. We have to stand strong in our faith and never be ashamed of it!
This was a great post..
Joy
Addendum Previous Comment
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 9:39 am
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You inspired me. =) I've been thinking much and learning much about this subject these past few months, and together with your post, these experiences sparked a post on my own blog. Here's for anyone who's interested: http://a-piercing-love.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-prayer-is-battle.html
Ania
Thanks....
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 11:35 am
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Thank You so much for this post Paula. I really needed that part about faith and not giving in to the enemy. It is very helpful while struggling with doubt. It's great to know that we're not alone and the LORD is with us while we battle against our feelings and desires.
KingsDaughter
to kenzi
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 12:17 pm
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well i will tell you what a some one told me. watch the police for example they put on their uniform before they leave their house when they are going work just the same you put on Gods armour. For i example i take my armour from in my closet cause you don't throw your clothes any where and just like i put on real shoes and clothes i put it on. Thx to the advice of this pastor. i hope you understand and try it to. HE told me do it every morning before i leave the house for 21 days and afterwards it will become a habit. he remind me of the scripture that say God use the foolish things to confound the wise. so this might seem silly but Gods word say put on the armour of God. So warrior put on your armour and lets fight for the glory of God.
KingsDaughter
thanks
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 12:23 pm
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Thank you very much for putting this up alot of us as young girls don't realize that the enemy is out there and he will fight us. But greater is he that is in us than he then is in the world. I am really happy that the battle between young girls and the enemy is strongly realize.
Ashley
Great!!
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 12:26 pm
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This is great and the right thing to do. Stand up for what we believe.
Kenzi: I guess some practical ways are to always be a women of peace, like help others and also to stand up for what you believe if someone says something wrong about God or uses Gods name in vain, or even just be happy and smile at people so they can see your kindness.
Catherine
Practical ways to put on the armor of God
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 12:46 pm
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Kenzi, from my teen years from so long ago I remember how the truly Christian teens behaved. It wasn't so much what they talked about. It was how they acted day in and day out. They were peacemakers and lived righteously without being loud about it.

Regarding your questions: Putting on "peace" shoes could be committing oneself daily, in your early am prayer time and/or talking with a parent or accountability partner, to be a peacemaker---much like Christ was in the way he demonstrated peace during His ministry years. Putting on peace could be a daily commitment as you interact with your family members--who probably know you best. You know what one another's hot buttons are, and you can in your thoughts and prayers, commit yourself to not getting in the last word or become entangled in an argument.

Putting on the righteousness breastplate could be working on the memorization of the Ephesians passage, and/or praying over each line daily. I've found that marching orders type of passages like the Ephesians one can easily be made into a prayer. Write out your prayer, and look over it daily, and prayerfully commit to "putting on the breastplate of righteousness", etc. before you leave your home.
Lorree, with the LYWB team
re: Kenzi
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 2:02 pm
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Thanks for your suggestion for a blog on Ephesians 6! What a great idea! We will be sure to pass that idea on to our content team. It can be difficult to know how to put on the armor of God. When we receive Christ as our Savior, we receive the armor through the gift of the Holy Spirit. The armor is ready and available for us to use. It is our battle gear for our spiritual warfare. Our responsibility is to choose to use it in our battle against our enemy and our flesh.

Our breastplate of righteousness is our salvation and security in Christ. Christ’s righteous, not our own good works, guards our hearts against the accusations and charges of Satan and secures our innermost being from his attacks. Each time we choose to spend time reading the Word or in prayer, we are putting on that breastplate. Only Christ and our relationship with Him brings true peace to our souls. We need to be ready with the gospel of peace as we encounter unbelievers in our day-to-day life. Our enemy will fight us every step of the way. But as we have our feet ready with the Gospel of Christ we will be covered as we seek to expand God’s kingdom on earth. Stay in the Word, Kenzi! It is the lifeline for your soul and it is the most important weapon as you fight our enemy in the spiritual battles of your life. Praying for you, friend!
Megan
Re:
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 3:02 pm
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I think its kinda Weird how I came across this, cause my pastor bout a year or so ago was giving me a word from God and he had called me a Princess Warrior!! And I just thought that it was amazing how I got to read this. So this was a big encourager to all be on your toes as the devil will try to attack you any way he can. I will remember to put on the full armor of God and be prepared to win the battle against the devil, because with God all thing are possible!!! Stay Strong
Heather Sv.
Re:
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 4:07 pm
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I don't know what's up these past couple of days =( Yesterday I felt like God wasn't near me, and I thought that maybe He's gotten impatient with me or something, but I decided to believe that He was still with me, despite my feelings. But then today, all day I've been feeling really down. I feel like I'm a failure. I feel like I haven't changed much since I've become a Christian, and that the Bible isn't changing me and my life like it's supposed to. I never know if I'm on the right track or not, like I'm walking around in the dark. I'm always anxious and worried that I'm not going to grow or that God is angry with me. Where is the promised peace and joy and love?
Carrie, with the LYWB team
re:
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 4:21 pm
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Heather Sv.

Oh, my friend¡K the enemy is seeking to ¡§ kill, steal and destroy¡¨ your joy, peace and faith. He is accusing you ( Rev. 12:10). You need to do exactly what Paula talked about in her post, Heather. Take up the sword of the Spirit and put on the helmet of salvation, by reminding yourself of what is true of you because you are ¡§in Christ¡¨ ( Eph. 1 & 2 is a great place to start). Put on the breast plate of righteousness by reminding yourself that you are clothed in Christ¡¦s righteousness and not your own ( 2 Corinth. 5:21). Lift up the shield of faith by refusing to believe the lies of the enemy. Rehearse out loud truths such as 2 Corinthians 5:7¡K ¡§ we live by faith not by sight ( or feelings ƒº). Pray, pray, pray the promises of God!

And believe that God is not angry at you, dear friend. His rightful anger at your sin was poured out upon Christ. There is no more anger for you! You can rest knowing that because of Jesus you are now the beloved of the Lord!

Oh, my friend¡K do not believe the lies of the enemy! Stand firm in the truth that you are covered in the blood of Christ!
Rebecca
Stay in the War!!
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 5:02 pm
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"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is when good men {or women} do nothing." quote from a lesson at church yesterday
KingsDaughter
to Heather Sv.
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 7:33 pm
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Hey girl don't pressure yourself to much i use to feel the same way. i to was afraid to fail God but i learn once i let him carry and lead my life no matter how i feel i will never fail him. Sweetheart is only until you stop believing the lies that the enemy tells is when u will get peace. God promises us peace but if we don't accept. well he won't force it on us. We have to make the decision will i trust in God and walk in his peace. Or will i believe what the enemy is telling me and walk in fear and worry. you are moving but because you are so scared that you are not you can't see it. God didn't give you a spirit of fear but of power, love, and of a sound mind. God will keep them in perfect peace whose mind is stay on him.
AmandaLK
<3
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 8:31 pm
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Thank you so much! I read LYWB every day, and... well, this is my favorite passage of scripture!!! Thank you for the encouragement. When you referred to us as "princess warriors", some things clicked in my mind. I tend to think of a lot of things from a battle perspective and it just makes things so much easier to understand.
<3
Yours forever in Love and War
Amanda K.
Heidi
Re:
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 8:33 pm
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I'm in for it!!!!

I heard a story of this guy who was on vacation with his wife and out their hotel window they saw this guy that would just sit at the same place all day long doing nothing day after day. Finally he asked him what he was doing and the guy said that he believed in reincarnation and he decided that he was going to sit this life out.

We've only got one life to live girls!!!! Lets live it for Him!!!!
mangalover211
Re:
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 9:21 pm
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How can we stand firm, and fight for Him when He was the one that allowed my body to not be in remission, but allow the leukemia back in? I wonder how much i actually believe Him all the time, especially now that i;m in the hospital 24/7- not just for my chemo treatments
SWF
Deafeated
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 10:05 pm
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Heather Sv.: wow, it's amazing....your post describes exactly how I feel. I'm always afraid that God's mad at me or about to give up on me.
I do spend time in the Word every day, but it's not changing me! Satan's lies and influence seems so much more powerful in my life than Jesus' power. I know I'm a Christian because I asked him to save me 4 years ago...but I sure don't feel like it. I don't even think God hears me anymore. This putting on the armour of God stuff seems unattainable.
Gods Jewel
Again : Heather Sv. and everyone else..
on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 10:07 pm
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I will pray for you..Stand firm and don't let the enemy get to you!
There is peace and joy waiting for you, God wants to enfold you in his arms and shower you with blessings infinitely..
There is peace and rest for you..
God Bless Everyone!!
Carina
Armor of God
on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 3:40 pm
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I love Ephesians 6! :) That would be great if you guys could do a post on it!

This has been a reaccuring subject in my life - obviously God is telling me something :)

My thoughts on practically putting on God's armor:

the Belt of Truth - I like to think of it as wrapping/surrounding ourselves with God's Truth, so like having God's Word posted around us;
the breastplate of righteousness (like Lorree said) is the security we have in Christ;
Feet fitted with readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace - I think of it as being ready ("feet fitted with readiness") to go where God wants us to and when He wants us to. It's obeying the Holy Spirit when He prompts us - no matter what the cost - ready to take the Gospel of Peace to whoever needs it;
the Shield of Faith is what extinguishes the flaming arrows of the evil one - as His Word says. This is a very important piece of armor for battle!;
the Helmet of Salvation - as I have heard people say - is keeping your mindset right. It's keeping your head aligned with what God says in His Word - that you are saved by grace! No more guilt or shame! When you have your Helmet of Salvation on you are believing, in your head, God's Truth ^-^;
the Mighty Sword of the Spirit is God's Word! It says in Scripture that His Word is sharper than any double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12)! Here's a story - a man brought only a New Testament Bible to an event on his mission trip. When he arrived, his friend saw his Bible and said "Friend, you've only brought half your sword." So, let this speak to us saying we need God's Word! And all of it! This is SO important - Jesus set an example for us on how to use Scripture in battle, for when He was tempted by the devil He responded by saying no and counter-acting the lie with God's Word! Let us follow His example! Let us memorize Scripture so we have it in times of need!;
and last, but not least, a Prayerful Heart! Let us be praying for the saints, those to be saved, and for the victory of Christ - as His Word says :)

Love To All My Sisters In Christ,
Carina
Sarah, with the LYWB team
Defeated
on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 7:00 pm
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SWF...

You are right, you cannot attain that, nor can any of us. Only Christ can attain that.

Part of the reason we begin the day with Bible Study and prayer is so we can ask for Christ's help and open our lives to a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit for that day.

As you have already discovered, that doesn't happen overnight. It is a process. So don't get discouraged. The question is not "are you there?" but "have you begun your day with Christ?" If so, then you are making progress.

Start each day during this time of discouragement with such a prayer as this: "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in [me] will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil. 1:6) Then, thank Him, and get in the Word and prayer!
Sarah, with the LYWB team
mangalover
on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 7:20 pm
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I am sorry to hear your leukemia is no longer in remission. I know that must be scary for a girl and would test your faith. However, peace comes from trusting Him. We live in a world where disease is a reality for believers and unbelievers. God does not promise us escape from disease, but He does promise us that He will walk with us every step of the way. We are never alone.

Consider this quote from Jerry Bridges in You Can Trust God:

"Trusting God does not mean we do not experience pain. It means we believe that God is at work through the occasion of our pain for our ultimate good. It means we work back through the Scriptures regarding His sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness and ask Him to use those Scriptures to bring peace and comfort to our hearts. It means, above all, that we do not sin against God by allowing distrustful and hard thoughts about Him to sway our minds. It will often mean that we have to say, "God, I don't understand, but I trust You."

"Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love.

For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." (Lam. 3:32-33)

With loving thoughts toward you...
Gods Jewel
Re: mangalover
on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 8:36 pm
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I will be praying for you..as I am doing right now..don't give up in your faith.
Whatever happens, remember that God is in control and will do it for a specific reason even though we may not see what that reason is..
His Bride
Make War!!
on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 1:22 pm
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i went to a camp this summer and the theme was "Make War"
i have some songs and verses that help me...
Genesis 4:7b
1 Corinthians 10:13
Make War by Tedashii
Go Hard by Lecrae
and also i try to remember that Christ was tempted too, and he resisted the temptation to sin.
and, one last thing that helps me: the same spirit that rose Christ from the dead is living inside of me! This means i have the power to resist any temptation because my power is in Christ!!
hope this helps y'all,
His Bride
Anna
remember me?
on Monday, November 21, 2011 at 9:23 am
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hi paula! i'm the girl you prayed for last night! it blessed me so, so, SO much! God knew i needed encouragement, and He used you to give it to me. so.. yeah :) thanks again! i'll be tuning in to your blog from now on. i just finished "lies young women believe" and i'm pumped about being able to listen to other girls questions/thoughts/ideas about God here! i actually have my own blog, so it was rad to know that ya'll do, too :)

love-love-love,
anna :)
Paula Hendricks
To Anna
on Monday, November 28, 2011 at 11:22 am
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Absolutely, I remember you, Anna! We prayed about what God's been teaching you about guys, right? I don't know how you found me here, but I'm so glad you did, and that you plan on coming back often! That made my day. :)

Love,

paula
Rebekah Batterink
Stand strong!
on Friday, December 2, 2011 at 1:25 pm
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My pastor has been doing a series of sermons on the Armour of God which has been a great blessing! These are some words my pastor has shared with us.

Thoughts for reflection:

belt of Truth- How well do you know your Bible? Are digging into God's Word striving to learn more about Him and apply it to your life? The more you read His Word the more you should want to tell others. "I love to tell the story!"

breastplate of righteousness- "imputed righteous" which God gives to us and "practical righteousness" which implies how upright do you strive to be in your speech, conduct, attitudes...down to the tiniest detail about your life.

feet fitted with the readiness of the Gospel- Do you know God's Word so well that you're able to move with it whenever you're called to share it? or will you stumble because you're not equipped with the Bible? The better you know His Word the more dear it becomes to you and you'll desire to share it always!

shield of faith- When Satan throws the flaming arrows of doubt, pride, lust, fear, material wealth, desire to be acknowledged by the world will you hold the shield of faith to block those temptations from you? Is your faith so sure in Christ that it will protect you from Satan's schemes? To every situation you react to you should it with the shield of faith in front of you so the arrows of temptation don't make you perish.

We haven't studied the helmet of salvation or the sword of the Spirit so you'll have to wait to hear more.

God bless!
Chloe
My Most Recent Battle
on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 10:54 pm
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First of all, I have a confession to make: before this weekend, I didn't see a problem in dating. I thought that it was fine. I disagreed with kissing and everything past that, but I didn't see a problem with hanging out and "dating" as long as the boy was a Christian too. This all changed this weekend when I went to True Love Waits at my church. I am sure that all of you know what this is, but in case you don't it is a conference that encourages young women and men to remain abstinent until marriage. Not only does it encourage but, but also describes vividly what the consequences will be if we don't. At our church, we divided up into our age groups and genders. I really learned a lot from the other high school girls and our leader. I am pleased to say that I believe that most if not all of the girls who attended the high school conference signed on the True Love Waits commitment. There were 18 of us girls and now we all have the responsibility of keeping this commitment and holding each other accountable. I had recently been asking God to bring me an accountability partner who lives near me, someone who I can be honest with and they can be honest with me. More importantly, I also needed a Christian friend who goes to my school. Now I have 18 girls who are holding me accountable and some of them go to my school. It is amazing what God can do when you take the first step by going to these church activities, he provides amazing peers who are looking for the same support that you are and amazing leaders. Together, we can make a difference in the community when people ask us what our rings are for or why we don't date boys. I can't wait to see what else God does in my life and I know that because I have these girls and adults by my side I will keep this commitment until my wedding day.