Preparing for Battle

Preparing for Battle

Welcome to the My Sister and Me Ministries Podcast! Today, we continue our series “Games People Play,” and we’re talking about the truths we glean from a game we all probably played at the grade school gym or playground—Dodgeball! Remember that big, red rubber ball careening through the crowd? Maybe you grabbed human shields to protect yourself, or perhaps you were that shield! Regardless, if you played, you most likely have a lasting memory of being slammed by that ball. Some events in life can hit us like that. Out of nowhere, an unexpected blow knocks the breath out of us, and we fall to our knees. Sometimes we can easily dodge the impact and steer completely clear of any fallout. Other times, we miraculously experience a near miss. Life isn’t a game of dodgeball, but we can certainly learn some excellent lessons, in line with scripture, from that riveting contest. We must be watchful, alert, and aware of all the surrounding activity. A real enemy watches and waits for us, looking for someone to destroy. Distraction leaves us wide open for harm. We must be on guard so that we recognize the enemy’s strategies. Putting on the armor of God protects us from the schemes of the enemy. Each piece has a unique purpose and operation. Join us as we explore the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace, the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, the Sword of the Spirit, and Prayer. Once we’ve done all to survive the attacks—whether in a game of dodgeball or the events of life—knowing God is with us and for us is key. Our victory in any fight is only established through the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Circumstances can throw some pretty tough blows. But we don’t have to fall prey to the attacks of the enemy. Our ability to dodge and survive is found in Christ. Scripture References: Psalm 46:1, 91:1, 121:3, 138:7; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 6:10-18; John 10:28 Find more My Sister and Me Ministries content here:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg]Website: https://www.mysisterandme.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/ [https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/]Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries [https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries] #mysisterandme #mysisterandmeministries #holdfasttohope This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mysisterandmeministries.substack.com [https://mysisterandmeministries.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Letting Go of Perfect

Hey, Friends! Welcome to the My Sister and Me Ministries Podcast! We continue our series called “Games People Play,” and today we are talking about the game Perfection and discovering biblical truths we learn from it. In this heart-racing game, there are 25 different-shaped pieces to be placed into a 5×5 grid within 60 seconds. If all the pieces are in place and the timer stops before the 60 seconds are up, the player wins! However, if the pieces are not in place and the timer stops before the time expires, the tray pops up, scattering the shapes. Do you struggle with perfectionism? The battle shows itself in many ways, including setting lofty goals, embracing an all-or-nothing mentality, being highly critical of yourself and others, and procrastination. But we don’t have to strive for perfection. Jesus made us His own, and He is perfect. As we grow closer to Him, we learn His grace is sufficient; He is all we need; and He is the way, the truth, and the life. As we seek Him and surrender to Him, we become more like Jesus, and God perfects us in His image. He is the One who puts all our pieces in the right spaces, and He is the One who will always do it in His perfect timing. We don’t have to race against that buzzer either! Letting go of perfect may very well be one of the best decisions you will ever make! Scripture References: Philippians 3:12; Hebrews 12:2-3; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 5:10; John 1:12; Romans 5:1, Romans 8:31-39; Romans 10:9; Colossians 2:9-10; Philippians 3:20; Ephesians 2:10 Find more My Sister and Me Ministries content here:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg]Website: https://www.mysisterandme.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/ [https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/]Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries [https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries] #mysisterandme #mysisterandmeministries #holdfasttohope This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mysisterandmeministries.substack.com [https://mysisterandmeministries.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Known by Name

Games People Play is the series we are in, and today we are discovering the biblical hope we glean from the childhood game of Red Rover. In this game, one team calls out someone’s name on the opposing team, inviting them to run across the field toward them. The goal of the runner is to break through the line of people locked hand in hand. The goal of the calling team is to stop the runner from breaking through. In a way, it’s a picture of when God calls our name. We can run toward Him for freedom and forgiveness through Jesus, or run the other way. How many times did you hear God call your name before you ran fearlessly toward Him? Maybe you still haven’t put on those running shoes. Maybe you know He’s calling you to Himself, but so many obstacles seem to block your way. What are those obstacles? What are those thoughts keeping you from going all in with Jesus? Distractions, disappointments, heartaches, and temptations are all lined up side by side, hoping you will fail to break through. The enemy comes at us full force to pull us away from Jesus. He stops at nothing to drag us into a place of uncertainty, complacency, self-reliance, and depletes our souls to the point of collapse. But God doesn’t choose us because we are strong, weak, fast, slow, or that we have it all figured out. He chooses us because He loves us. And because He loves us, He sent Jesus to call our names and rescue us. Breaking through the walls of doubt, shame, guilt, and past mistakes is our Savior’s specialty. And it requires our cooperation. Let’s discover some tools that will help us break the cycle of captivity and help us walk in the confident freedom Jesus provides. Freedom, confidence, and joy await you as you breakthrough that “line” and trust Jesus for your victory! Scripture References: Psalm 37:5; John 10:10; Isaiah 40:28-31; Jeremiah 17:7-8 Find more My Sister and Me Ministries content here:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg]Website: https://www.mysisterandme.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/ [https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/]Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries [https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries] #mysisterandme #mysisterandmeministries #holdfasttohope This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mysisterandmeministries.substack.com [https://mysisterandmeministries.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Sovereign Strategy

Welcome to the My Sister and Me Ministries Podcast! We invite you to become a part of our community as we encourage one another in the hope we have in Jesus. We continue our series called “Games People Play” and today, we contemplate our next move as we discover biblical truths hidden within the game of Chess. Chess is a game of strategy. Players must think ahead, estimate their opponent’s moves, and strategically plan their approach. In this game, the term checkmate identifies when the escape of the opponent’s king is impossible, and it marks the end of the game. The player who got the checkmate is the winner. The player who is checkmated is the loser. The word checkmate has filtered into our everyday language to refer to someone who or something that has been stopped, trapped, cornered, or defeated. It’s used in politics, sports, business, and even social circles, identifying the undeniable defeat and/or victory of opposing parties or teams. As we look at it from a spiritual angle, it is a precise illustration of our position in Christ. The enemy is defeated! Jesus has overcome! He defeated Satan through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. Surrounding, overtaking, and conquering, King Jesus checkmated Satan! There are more pieces besides the Kings on the chessboard—32 pieces total. And they all have unique abilities and ranges of motion. Likewise, we are beautifully and wonderfully created, each with unique qualities, abilities, purpose, and callings.  As we move in the gifts and abilities God has given us and fulfill our specific purpose in this life, King Jesus has already won the victory for us! Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 2:14; John 16; Colossians 2:8-15; Romans 8:11; 1 John 4:4, 5:4; James 1:5; 1 Corinthians 5:57; Revelation 12:10-11 Find more My Sister and Me Ministries content here:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg]Website: https://www.mysisterandme.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/ [https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/]Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries [https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries] #mysisterandme #mysisterandmeministries #holdfasttohope    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mysisterandmeministries.substack.com [https://mysisterandmeministries.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Father May I?

Last week, we began our new series for the summer, “Games People Play.” Games teach us valuable skills and life lessons. They build resilience by turning failure into a stepping stone. They help us improve our problem-solving and critical thinking skills. And games boost teamwork and communication. Today, we jump back into this series with both feet! Do you remember the game “Mother May I?” It involved the participants lining up and asking the Mother to move toward her in creative ways, like 3 frog jumps or 5 baby steps, etc. The player to reach the Mother first won the game! When we consider our spiritual journey, are we asking God for permission to make a move? He has a plan and a purpose for all of us. He has called us to Himself to fulfill His perfect will in our lives. But do we really consider Him as we move forward with all the things every day? Jesus taught us to ask God for whatever we want or need, to seek Him, and to knock on His door. We see this in Matthew’s and Luke’s gospels. In Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV). Jesus said: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. God wants us to include Him in all that we seek, desire, and do. He wants us to come to Him and inquire of Him. And then, we have the choice to be obedient to Him as He leads us. We hope today’s episode encourages you to ask God permission to move, and then obediently walk in love, two kangaroo jumps, or three crab walks at a time. None of our journeys will look the same, except that we all inquire, “Father, may I?” Scripture References: Psalm 128:1; Philippians 4:6; John 14:15-24, 15:9-17; 2 John 1:6; Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Isaiah 1:19; Matthew 5:17-20; Romans 12:1-2 Find more My Sister and Me Ministries content here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBHT_IPY1e7r4e7hSugWvg] Website: https://www.mysisterandme.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/ [https://www.instagram.com/mysisterandme/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries [https://www.facebook.com/mysisterandmeministries] #mysisterandme #mysisterandmeministries #holdfasttohope This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mysisterandmeministries.substack.com [https://mysisterandmeministries.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]