HCC Weekly - December 15th, 2025

December Devotional

Today marks day 349 of your bible reading plan. You have 16 days left until the year is over. This means you have 16 days until you start reading in Genesis as we start to read through scripture together in January. Many of us will have New Year’s resolutions. This might be the most important one you can resolve to achieve: read, study, and meditate on the Word of God in 2026. Let's do this together!

The following devotional comes from Gretchen Martin, week 3, day 4 of her “Stand Firm” devotional series.

Ephesians 6:17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

I believe one of the most valuable weapons in this spiritual war is the mind. Why? Because it is the one place Satan cannot see. He cannot read our minds—only God knows our thoughts. But the mind can also be the most damaging and destructive weapon we wield against ourselves. That is why we need the helmet of salvation to protect our thoughts.

Although Satan cannot control what we think or how we think, he can influence what we choose to allow into our minds. What are we looking at daily? What are we watching, reading and scrolling?

The helmet of salvation is God’s protective covering over our thoughts and minds. Our day-to-day activities profoundly affect what enters and exits. This protection—the helmet of salvation—comes only through knowing the gospel. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “Take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

We have a choice in what enters our thoughts, and those thoughts determine what exits our mouths. Our activities and words reflect where we spend our time. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Are the things you put into your mind good, acceptable and perfect? None of us are perfect, but are the things you choose to spend your time on pleasing to the Lord? This may be one of the easiest questions to answer, yet we struggle with it

most.

I can get on the Instagram reel train with the best of them. And then, an hour later, I can’t believe I wasted so much time laughing at silly videos—some completely innocent, some not so innocent ones. But I laugh regardless and send them to anyone who will join me in the fun.

The reality is that the time I spend looking at things that are not perfect or pleasing to God is time not spent in His Word. The time I spend gossiping is time not spent with the Lord. The time I spend complaining about my life is time not spent thanking God for what He has done for me. The time I spend trying to control everything around me is time not spent seeking His will for my life.

God has given us His helmet of salvation as protection from the evil and corrupt things this world offers. But we must choose to put it on daily—first thing in the morning—so we are guarded against the distractions the Enemy uses to lead us

astray. How do we do that?

Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Remember, ladies, we are not made for this world. We have the promise of eternity, and each day we must live as heaven dwellers, not world dwellers.

Your salvation is a present reality. It isn’t only something that happened in your past or something that will happen in the future. Salvation is now, and we must live knowing that salvation is a daily reminder to pick up our cross and follow

Him.

Finally, Paul lists the sixth and final piece of armor—the sword of the Spirit. The sword of the Spirit is God’s Word. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” There is no weapon more powerful than God’s Word. It is constant, true and always relevant. Isaiah 40:8 says it beautifully, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever”.

The Bible is our survival guide. Everything we need is there. And His Word is the only pure truth to combat the Enemy. But it is of no use if we leave it at home as a coffee table decoration. Carry it with you. Recite it often. Memorize it so it is always first in your thoughts.

Tomorrow morning, try reaching for your Bible before you reach for your phone. Let His Word begin your day instead of a silly reel about perimenopause or puppies. The more we fill our minds with Jesus, the less room we give the Enemy’s lies.

Memorize Scripture. Put verses on sticky notes and place them where you often stand or sit—on your bathroom mirror, in your car or on your desk at work. Let them be daily reminders of God’s love for you. God’s Word can never be taken away if it is hidden in your heart and mind. When the Word is stored in your heart, it will overflow into your conversations and actions.

Luke 6:45 (NIV) says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

What is your heart full of? Is it evident by the words that flow from your mouth? Fill your heart and mind with Scripture. Know God’s Word. Live it, breathe it, speak it. If you are holding the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God is flowing

from your lips, no evil will overcome it.

God, protect us with Your helmet of salvation. Guard our minds from the things of this world that distract us and take our eyes off You. Let Your living and active Word be on our lips, and let Your truth overflow from our hearts. Amen.