Reminder to Take a Stand

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NLT

People have discussed and argued politics for years, but I haven't heard the despair and hopelessness like I hear now. I understand the angst and concerns. I really do understand…and it’s easy to get caught up in it. But you can’t jaw it to death unless you’re Samson (Judges 15). And for those looking for answers to these problems in a man or a government or a leader other than God, forget it.

It's happened before. Read the history books. And now more than ever, Edmund Burke's famous quote rings true - "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." There has to be some action, but it needs to be the right kind.

We should start with a sword - THE Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6). 2nd Chronicles 7:14 reads, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. I mentioned that the other day and someone who professed Christianity responded with, "Yeah, fat chance. You'll never get this nation to pray." Hmmm. That's why we're supposed to READ the Word. It doesn't say get the nation or all the heathen on their knees to pray. It says, If MY people who are called by MY name... If we call ourselves Christians…

Putting on the whole armor for a battle is not just so we can stand with some protection. It's so we can fight - it is so we are prepared to engage in the battle. The weapons of our warfare are not of this world, according to 2nd Corinthians 10:4, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds… 

In the meantime, let’s live our lives and fight our battles with the plan God has laid out before us. Ephesians 6:10-13 KJV reads, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able TO STAND against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, TO STAND. [emphasis mine]

Prayer:

Father,
           Keep us ever mindful of Your Word in John 3, that You loved us so much, You gave Your Son so no one should perish or be destroyed; and that by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. Help us to walk in the Light of Your Truth. Let us be ever aware that Light always overcomes darkness. Renew our minds. Change our hearts. Help us to stand. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Solid Ground to Stand On by Alistair Begg

Day 2 of 10 -  Sharing A Christians's Armor devotional written by Alistair Begg.
Today's devotional is titled, "Solid Ground to Stand On"

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Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth.
Ephesians 6:13–14

Western culture is confused about many things—but it’s certainly confused about truth. We often trade in vague platitudes that sound great at first but which crumble under closer examination. “Just be a good person,” we hear. “It doesn’t really matter what you believe, just as long as you lead a good life and do your best.” That all sounds quite pleasant, and we ought to thank God for the common grace that prevents our world from tearing itself apart. But it’s not enough—because the obvious question is this: Who gets to define good? What does it really mean to live a good life or to be a good person? When we have competing visions for what exactly good means and can’t agree on the fundamentals, we find ourselves in all sorts of trouble—not unlike the present state of affairs in much of the West.

We all feel the pressure to cave in to our society’s relativization of truth, in which “you decide your truth and I’ll decide mine.” The Bible, however, calls us to find a firm foothold on God’s truth—a truth that is objective and is not up for debate. Paul instructs us, “Stand … having fastened on the belt of truth” (Ephesians 6:14). When we embrace our culture’s confusion about truth, we are left to be “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (4:14). We simply have no solid ground to stand on. But when we plant ourselves in God’s truth, we can firmly hold our ground and be ready to face whatever comes our way (Luke 12:35; 1 Peter 1:13).

Standing for truth won’t prove easy. People might consider us hopelessly old-fashioned, dogmatic, or worse. But in reality, to stand on and advocate for truth is one of the most loving things we can do—for it is to call people to live in line with reality, and to call them away from building on falsehoods that, sooner or later, will crumble beneath them. As Paul writes elsewhere, love “does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). What might it take for you to rejoice with the truth today in your own thinking and in your conversations with others? However high the cost may seem, you can stand and speak with confidence, knowing that Christ has sent His Spirit to “guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13).

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT

How is God calling me to think differently?

How is God reordering my heart’s affections — what I love?

What is God calling me to do as I go about my day today?

How Long to Stand

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
Hebrews 12:14-15 NLT

When we run into difficult times, we know to pray. We know to ask others to stand in faith with us. We know that God promised to never leave us or forsake us. The question is - how long do we know it? How long do we believe it?

When troubles and trials come as they will and often do (Jesus said they would), do we have the foundation of God's Word laid well enough to be able to stand against the storms? Friends and prayer partners who will help us to stand? What if it lasts days or weeks? Months? Even years? God forbid! No one wants to think about storms that last that long. 

It is in those times that we must rigorously guard our hearts and minds with the Word of God. We must stand in the gap for and with our brothers and sisters and be mindful that we don't build up resentment toward God. Especially since it's never confined to just ourselves. Resentment and bitterness multiply and affect everyone within our sphere of influence. Hebrews 3:12-13 tells us, Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 

How long should we know it? The answer is found in verse 14 - For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. To the end...

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for Your Word at all times, but especially for those times that are harder than others. Your Word gives us a firm foundation to stand on when everything around us seems like sinking sand. Help us to stand firm and to have a heart of compassion to help those around us, as well. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Standing and Staring

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven?"
Acts 1:11a NLT

How often do we do the same thing? Jesus had just told them to go witness of Him and then He left... and left them staring into an empty sky. It was angels who came and asked why they were still standing there...

Well, I'm no angel, but I will ask; how long are we going to stand and stare - completely devoid of forward motion - and not do what He's told us to do?!? What is it He's asked you to do? 

This is the Book of Acts... The time is getting shorter every day.

Prayer:

Father,
         Unstop our ears to hear Your still, small voice. Finetune our hearts to first-time obedience. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen