“Alliance!” Devotional #38

            Ephesians 6:1-3, Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. “Honor your father and mother” is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, “so you will live well and have a long life.” (MSG)  This verse is what I tend to quote most often to my children when they do not want to listen to me.  As soon as I quote this verse our twelve year old son loves to quote the verse that follows it which is, Ephesians 6:4, “Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.” (MSG)  We then look at each other and say, “do what the Bible says!”

            Its funny how our children who when they were babies we couldn’t wait for them to learn how to speak but then once they do speak we wish they’d stay quiet!  Not only do they learn how to speak they also learn how to speak in such a manner that irritates us or worst, manipulates us!  There have been times when one of our three children will ask me for something and when the answer is “no” they’ll go to my husband with the very same request but, they do not tell him that I just said “no.”  He’d give them the “yes” they were looking for and I would not find out about it until it was too late.  They have also gone to my husband first and then to me without telling me they had already asked him.  After several times of being played by our kids we figured it out!  Now we run things by each other or we’ll ask them if they had already asked one of us.  Though they still try to play us (manipulate us) we are now on a more united front.

            Ephesians 6:11-13, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  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.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (NIV)

            It break’s my heart but, the truth is, the devil can use anyone or anything to try to get us to sin against God.  He can even use our children if we’re not careful.  The constant responsibilities of parenthood coupled with the constant responsibilities that come with marriage, running a household, work…everything and anything that requires your love, attention and or money, is and will always exist in life.  Though the very people you love like your spouse, children, extended families, friends, bring you happiness these very same people can also bring you sadness, stress, anger, frustration…the list can go on and on right?  This is why two parents should work together so that when the devil tries to use your own children against you, you’d be prepared, on a united front together through an alliance. 

             Ephesians 6:13-18, “Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” (MSG)

These instructions given to us by God through Paul are to teach us how to, as a soldier in Christ, be prepared.  As parents being prepared includes being each other’s ally.  Ally: “connect people, or be connected: to connect people or families, or form a connection with another person or family, especially through marriage.” (The definition is from the Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.)  And so, my dear friends if you are married with children keep these truths close to your heart so that you can “stand against the devil’s schemes.”  If you’re not married with children then please pray for those that are.  I know my husband and I would greatly appreciate that!

 

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*If you would like to read this same devotional in Spanish or know of someone that would please visit my Spanish blog at www.ministerioreflejandolaverdad.blogspot.com