TRANSCRIPT: Good morning, Five Minute Families. Before we dive into our Key Truths for Families series, we want to tell you about an exciting opportunity happening at First Baptist Church in Wartburg on Sunday evening, July 25^th, 2021, starting at 6 pm. Brother Ryan Karp will be visiting and sharing his unique perspective of faith as someone who was raised in the Jewish traditions; he is part of the Chosen People Ministries. Please join us on Sunday evening at 6 or catch it on the FBC Wartburg facebook page.

Now, on to our ongoing series based on Ephesians 6:10-18 – Key Truths for Families from the Whole Armor of God. Today we are finishing that complex sentence beginning in verse 14 with Stand firm ending here in verse sixteen. “Stand firm, therefore… taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” So, let us ask you a question: Is faith important? To you? To your family? How can we apply faith in our lives?

Hold up, Kim. We need to define faith in the context of a Christian household, especially because the secular world will tell us that faith is simply hope, expectation, or dependence. While those are certainly elements of faith, faith in the Christian worldview is so much more. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” And Ephesians 2:8 points out that ultimately, faith for a Christ-follower is a gift from God, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

We see that God gives assurance through the best gift ever! That gift can help shape you and your family’s faith. Just as the jailer believed in Acts 31, faith and salvation is also for your whole family.  Here are 5 ways to bring the shield of faith into your home.

1. First, take up the shield. Again, action. If we are not ready with our faith, we will not have time to protect ourselves and our families from the flaming arrows of the evil one.
2. Second, remember, you are able. In the context of the battle raging around us, we may feel overwhelmed, discouraged, beat down. That’s where faith stands firm. Remember the battle is against principalities and powers that want to destroy our faith and families, even pitting us against each other. Faith says God is for us, which is more powerful than that which is against us.
3. Third, the shield extinguishes. The devil throws us off track with twisted lies that are so close to the truth that we need the deeper discernment and discipline of faith to overcome the lies thrown at us. The shield of faith simply doesn’t block the incoming shot; it destroys it! Make sure you keep that shield in place at all times so that none of the enemies flaming arrows are able to get you and your family.
4. Fourth, maintain the readiness and quality of your shield. Know what is true. Let God’s word penetrate your hearts. Some people get caught up in knowing the enemy, but the truth of Christ should occupy much more of our time than studying the enemy. Colossians 2:8 admonishes us, “See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ.”
5. And, finally, share your faith. Tell those stories of when the arrows were flying and faith in God eliminated the lies, temptations, struggles, or problems you were facing. Let your family know that “the struggle is real,” but we can overcome those with more than a catchphrase but real faith. Exercise those core beliefs which will help them solidify and also encourage those around you. A Christian counselor we highly respect wrote this about faith when we are suffering: “Faith does not demand the removal of suffering; faith desires endurance in suffering.”

The first part of Galatians 2:16 says “we are not justified by works of the law but through faith in Christ Jesus.” Couple this with the first part of our series – we do not need more self-esteem but Christ-esteem.  Stepping out in faith requires trust and preparation. God provides what we need as we stay the course in following Him.

Join us next week as we continue to look at the wonderful provisions of God for us and our families. Pray for opportunities to share and strengthen your faith. Thank you for allowing us to partner with you in your faith journey. For more information about our ministry find us online at clearviewretreat.org. Be blessed!