We all have seasons when we truly feel like we're going into battle each day, struggling against the perpetual challenges in this world.
A few years ago, I introduced a woman to Bible Quilting and her first page was entitled,
"This battle is the Lord's." She didn't elaborate much about the circumstances yet asserted strongly that she was putting on the Armor of God and surrendering her daughter's situation to the Lord.
What does it mean to put on the Armor of God?
This is an intriguing idea and certainly one that has a lot of depth to explore further. How do you picture the armor of God?
Look at this cute illustration of the Armor of God my nephew did using a gingerbread cookie cutter for the figure. Super clever!
When I think of armor, I initially envision being ensconced in something heavy and clunky with a cumbersome helmet obscuring my view. But our armor from God does not have to weigh us down or impede or movements.
Remember that movie "A Knight's Tale" where the main character encounters a female blacksmith who constructs some new fangled armor for him that initially causes everyone to laugh, but then ends up being incredibly strong? Because it is customized for him and engineered for movement AND strength, he wins a lot more jousting tournaments because his armor fits him and he's learned how to use it.
Fortunately, God uniquely equips us for our battles. He magnifies our abilities to face our challenges head on WITH HIM.
We have to be disciplined to put God's protective armor on daily so that we're enveloped in HIS strength and might, not our own.
The more we practice wearing God's Armor, the more familiar it becomes and the more confident we can move in it to accomplish our daily mission for God's kingdom. It's really only when we become comfortable in His armor around us that we truly learn how to use it - - - and use it well.
Ready to put on YOUR armor??
I'm getting started by prepping the August calendar in the Monthly BQJ, adding the daily verses, events, and embellishing it with some stickers.
Once you get the printable reference list, you can make a handy bookmark to use as you look up the daily scriptures. Thanks to our Bible Quilting friend Alice from Alabama for curating this great collection of verses for us to meditate on during August!
The next step is to write out the daily verses onto a flip card set. This will familiarize you with the scriptures and also provide you with a handy resource to carry with you throughout the month.
You can decorate these as you like to personalize them even further. Formatted version ready to print here.
Now we're all set to begin adding the daily verses to our 2-page spread!
I began by coloring in the shield. Initially I had it shaded evenly, then decided to add some "dings and scuff marks" to represent a well-used shield. Next I wrote in the verse for day one.
If you'd like a pretty tab for your Armor of God page, there's one included in the new watercolor tab set:
Simply print, cut, and attach the tab by gluing the lower part of the tab onto the BQ page.
If you don't have the 2022 Monthly Bible Quilt Journal, you can download the Shield featured template set here.
You can also use this wonderful Amor of God template that Alice designed as a supplement to our study this month.
Or if you'd like to spend time focusing on each element of the Armor of God, then check out this set to help you make individual pages on every piece of armor!
Ready to gird up, friends? This can be a truly powerful study as we focus on ways to strengthen our daily armor in the Word, in prayer, and in accountability with one another. Join me in a daily reading of the Ephesians 6: 10-20 passage to keep us mindful of this protection to put on each and every day. Better yet, read the whole book of Ephesians! For a book packed with so many great spiritual guidelines, it's compromised of only 6 chapters, 155 verses, and 3022 words.
Ephesians 6 is a great passage to steep in, whether you take notes in the margin, write in a separate notebook, or add illustrations via Bible journaling. I've added some links below to bonus resources to help spur you on!
Need a little tangible reminder to put your armor on each day?
Fran shared this tip with me a while back. If you have a plastic soldier figure left over from kids/grandkids playing "army," borrow one to place in strategic places in your home or car as a reminder to be a prayer warrior, putting on your armor to do spiritual battle throughout your day. You could even hum/sing that childhood song, "I'm in the Lord's Army" as you tackle your daily chores and errands. 😊
If you've got prayer partners or are part of a regular Bible study group, you could share some "Armor of God" prayer soldiers with your friends and strengthen the Lord's army in your community.
Mark your calendars for our next Zoom chat in August!
Join us to chat about how you're applying this month's verses to your daily devotional time...or just come for the fellowship! All are welcome, especially newcomers with lots of questions!!
Bonus resources:
Armor of God printable/sticker sheet by Dandelion Grace Studio Use code JOY20 for 20% off printables in Lisa's shop!