Battle Ready With Missy Armstrong: Recent Episodes
Missy armstrong
Life is a battle. Living a Christian life is a difficult path with satan's daily attacks. What is a better way to prepare yourself than by looking at the people in the Bible and learning from their victories and failures. Each week will be learning about Bible characters and how they are relevant to our struggles.
There is not a single character in the Old Testament who can bear comparison with Moses.
As you reflect on the beauty and wonder of the ancient tabernacle today, let your thoughts focus also on the Son of God, who dwelled among us, took on our flesh, ate with tax collectors and sinners, and was swift to forgive.
“…Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” (Rev. 21:3 )
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
13 “You shall not murder.
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
After the marvelous deliverance from Egypt and the opening up of the Red Sea, the children of Israel begin their pilgrimage toward the Promised Land with optimism and hope. Three days later, however, they find themselves dying of thirst, and are filled with indignation when they discover that the water at Marah is impure. Moses intercedes before God and he is shown how to make the water pure. Later, they complain that they have no food, but once again, Moses intercedes for them before God, resulting in the miraculous supply of manna. While at Rephidim, they complain because they have no water. Moses, in anger, strikes the rock. Finally, Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, persuades Moses to delegate some of his responsibilities.
Are you facing a ‘Red Sea’ experience at this moment: difficulties ahead, danger behind? Then remember God’s word through Moses: “Stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord” (EX 14:13). Stop struggling, stop striving—and EXPECT A MIRACLE!
“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matt. 19:26 )
EX 14: 13-14
13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
How easily we forget that when God decrees a thing, no matter who or what stands against Him, His purposes are always fulfilled. Has God decreed something in your life? Then be encouraged, for even though the timing of His purposes may not coincide with yours, He will most certainly bring them to pass.
“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil?” (Num. 23:19)
This week we start studying Moses' Life, beginning in the Basket on the Nile and ending this week with Moses leaving Midian to return to Egypt. In this small second of Moses' life, we see God's Hand directing his life, mistakes made by Moses, and the power of God present with Moses.
Key Verse of this week:
1 Corinthians 1:27-28
New International Version
27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are
His brothers visit Joseph and he saves their lives. we also look at what we can learn from Joseph.
Joseph’s Life Mirrors Jesus’
Gen. 37:3 — Beloved by their fathers — Matt. 3:17
Gen. 37:13-14 — Sent by their fathers to their brothers — Luke 20:13; Heb. 2:12
Gen. 37:4, 5, 8 — Hated by their brothers without a cause — John 1:11; 7:5; 15:25
Gen. 39:7 — Severely tempted — Matt. 4:1
Gen. 37:28 — Taken to Egypt — Matt. 2:14-15
Gen. 37:23 — Stripped of their robes — John 19:23-24
Gen. 37:28 — Sold for the price of a slave — Matt. 26:15
Gen. 39:20 — Remained silent and offered no defence — Isa. 53:7
Gen. 39:16-18 — Falsely accused — Matt. 26:59-60
Gen. 39:21 — Respected by their jailors — Luke 23:47
Gen. 40:2-3 — Placed with two prisoners, one of which was later lost, the other saved — Luke 23:32
Gen. 41:46 — Both around thirty at the beginning of their ministry — Luke 3:23
Gen. 41:41 — Both highly exalted after their suffering — Phil. 2:9-11
Gen. 45:1-15 — Both forgave and restored their repentant brothers — Zech. 12:10-12
Gen. 41:57 — Both visited and honored by all earthly nations — Isa. 2:2-3; 49:6
In a dramatic turn of events, Joseph is transported from prison to become the second in command of Egypt. The events that led to this change in Joseph’s destiny have to do with the cupbearer who, when he hears that Pharaoh has had a dream which the wise men of his household cannot interpret, remembers how Joseph interpreted his own dream while he was in prison. Joseph gives the praise to God. He says he can’t interpret the dream but God can. He communicates this fact to Pharaoh who, in turn, invites Joseph into his palace and asks him to interpret his dream. Pharaoh is so happy he elevates Joseph to the highest position in the kingdom.
The story of Joseph is unquestionably one of the most thrilling in the whole of Scripture, which records his life in more detail than is given about the lives of other great patriarchs, such as Abraham and Isaac. Joseph’s life mirrors the life and character of our Lord Jesus Christ, in many ways. The likenesses between Joseph and Christ are so compelling that we cannot help but build our outline around these parallels.
The outstanding lesson of Jacob’s life is that God never fails to discipline those who resist, or who are slow to conform to His purposes. If we do not rise to the level which God purposes for us willingly, then we will be obliged to rise to it through the firm hand of discipline. Jacob’s life also shows that it never pays to cheat or deceive, as the Scripture so clearly states: “A man reaps what he sows” (Gal. 6:7 ). Three great milestones can be seen in Jacob’s life: the dream at Bethel; the long discipline at the hands of Laban; and the night in which the angel of the Lord wrestled with him and overcame him. That night, a new humility was stamped upon Jacob’s character.
We learn about Jacob's attempt to leave Laban and the deal he makes with Laban. We see how God blesses Jacob and how he wrestles with him and Cripples him. Do we feel like Jacob feel on the one hand the pull of the divine purpose and on the other, the varied claims of relations and friends? We must aim to keep all our relationships open, but give God’s call the highest priority.
Jacob’s parents were Isaac and Rebekah, and Esau was his twin brother. God spoke to Rebekah before the birth of the twins, saying, “Two nations are in your womb…and the older (Esau) will serve the younger (Jacob)” (Gen. 25:23). As soon as Jacob makes his appearance in Scripture, we find him manipulating his brother Esau into surrendering his birthright. Esau was so hungry that he gave up his birthright, which he did not really care about (25:32). Jacob tricked his father into giving him the blessing of the firstborn.
When the realization of our ambitions is clearly shown, our task is to wait for the Lord to bring about His plan in His way and in His time. God is able to perform what He has promised, without the aid of human schemes.
Isaac started well but as he grew older his faults became more evident. He is regarded by many as being fond of the good life, and unduly favoring the son who provided them for him. Despite his negative qualities, Isaac had many virtues and graces: faith (Heb. 11:20), obedience (Gen. 22:6-9), affection (Gen. 24:67, 25:28, 27:27-33), as well as gentleness, and marital fidelity. He taught the men and women of his day that “a servant of the Lord must not quarrel”, not be aggressive, but gentle, patient, sacrificing, and humble (2 Tim. 2:24-25)
The story of Issac shows us how to be a dutiful child, a kind person, stand our ground and be unequally yoked together. In other words, don't date below your calling.
The last installment of the study of Abraham. Abraham's obedience to God, through curcumin to the offering of Issac as a sacrifice. We Look at his intercessory prayer and his unyielding faith in God.
God has promised Abram great things including great numbers of descendants. Abram sets for the first mention of the tithe with Melchedidek and Abram and Sarai jumped ahead of God and instead of standing on faith chose to move ahead of God.
God's promises to Abraham: 1. I will make you a great nation. 2. I will bless you. 3. I will make your name great. 4. You will be a blessing. 5. I will bless those who bless you. 6. I will curse those who curse you. 7. Through you shall all people be blessed.
This week we look at Abraham from his call from the call of God to the separation of Abraham and Lot. God may call us and not give us a clear destination, but when we are called He gives us promises. Step ut on faith and hold on to the promise. The journey may be more impactful than the destination.
God chose Noah for a ministry, just as he has chosen you. Noah’s life and witness illustrate the importance of maintaining a consistent witness in the face of abounding scorn and ridicule, and never giving up even though one’s message seems to be falling on deaf ears.
God found favor in Noah in wicked times. He can also find favor in us during these wicked times. This week we look at the story of Noah's life and faith up to the flood. We discover if God has put a calling in our hearts, He has already factored in our weaknesses.
Studying Adam and Eve's children, Cain and Abel can allow us to learn from the literal first family. Let's try to let God be God. “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) Christ took care of the first family and He still takes care of us.
Learn about Adam and Eve and what we can learn about God, Satan, and ourselves. Studying the creation and fall of these first humans can teach us how to fight Satan and gives us insight into Satan's tactics. These two also show us the love of our Lord God.
We talk about the importance of learning about Bible characters as an adult and how we can strengthen our spiritual armor by learning about these people. Bible stories can grow your faith and understanding of God.