ARMOR OF GOD PRINTABLE DEVOTION

God Gives Me Faith (Shield of Faith)

Mark your Bible with Deuteronomy 33:29 and the Bible Memory Verse before leson: Ephesians 6:17

Sticky Bear ran up to Tickles and asked, "Hi Tickles! I see you have something in your hand. Can I have one too?"

Tickles started laughing and said, "Don't you want to know what it is first, Sticky Bear?"

sticky Bear started Laughing too, "Hee hee, Yeah...I guess...but it looks cool, so I thought I'd just ask...that's all."

" Yeah...you can have one, Sticky....here ya go...here's one for you. And, by the way....its called a shield" answered Tickles, as he gave him a shield of his own.

Sticky Bear said excitedly, " COOL! ....um-m-m.....What's a shield?"

Tickles explained, "A shield is something that protects you. Just think of the wind-shield on the front of your car. It protects you from rocks flying through your windshield, so they don't hit you. Most of the time, they just bounce off of the windshield. That is kind of how your faith works to protect you against the devil."

Sticky Bear asked his usual question, "What do you mean, that's its like my faith? I'm not sure I understand"

Tickles answered in his usual patient way, "Well, Sticky Bear, when your faith is strong, you know that God is on our side. Even when bad things happen to you, you know, deep down inside that God still cares about you, and that he is there helping you. The devil tries to tell us that God doesn't care. But, we know that God does care very much. He tells you many, many times in the Bible how much He loves you, and he showed us too."

Sticky Bear added, "Yep...he sure did, just like we learned last week. He accepts and forgives us, and says we're not guilty because Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sin. Its so amazing! Its so amazing that its hard to really think about how much He really does loves us. When we believe in Jesus and ask him to forgive us, he does. When we ask him if we can start over, he gives us a second chance. I know I sure needed a second chance. All we have to do is admit that we are a sinner, and accept his free gift of love and forgiveness. Now I know, and now I want to tell others about how much Jesus loves them too."

Tickles agreed, "Yeah, it is amazing Sticky Bear. Our King, the God who made us, loves us so much that he paid the price to save us from sin and let us be close to him! He loves us so much he calls us his friends, even while we were his enemy! Amazing, but true."

"So my faith acts like a windshield, and the lies of the devil bounce right off me! exclaimed Sticky Bear excitedly. "My faith protects me from the lies of the devil, and protects me from him too."

Tickles agreed, "That's exactly right Sticky Bear. Just like Ephesians 6:17 says, (Read Eph. 6:17)

"That's so cool...God is really good to give us faith like that! But, I'm a new Christian, Tickles. How can I help my faith grow?" asked Sticky Bear.

Tickles had just the right answer, "God gives you all the faith that you need. Just like a soldier puts on his armor for battle, you just put on the shield of Faith that God gives us every day. But if you want to learn more about God and grow as a Christian, the best way is to read your Bible every day, and do what it says. But, to do that, you need God's help. So make sure you pray about everything."

Sticky Bear nodded, "I have been reading my Bible every day...mom helps me with my devotions. And, I've been praying a lot too."

"Good for you, Sticky Bear!" Tickles cheered. "Now I'm thinking of another verse, Deuteronomy 33:29 It says, (Read verse).

Sticky Bear chimed right in, "That way, when the devil comes along, trying to get us to do wrong things, we will be ready. We will win the fight because God is helping us!"

"Yes, that's right. So put on your shield and get ready to fight! Tickles yelled as he raised his shield in front of him.

So Sticky Bear raises his shield too, "Yeah! God will help me!"

© copyright Virginia Sigle / biblekidsfunzone.com

PRAYER

Dear God, Thank you for giving me the faith to believe in you. Help my faith to grow strong. I want devil's lies to bounce right off me. Thank you for loving me so much that you hear my prayers and answer me. Help me to always remember to put on all of your armor so I can stand strong against the devil. In Jesus' name, Amen.