Stand Firm!

Stand Firm!

Well, I’ve taken a month off… so this is my first blog of 2024 and if January is any measure, we’re in for a bumpy ride this year.

On the global front, there’s a war in Ukraine about to enter its third year and the devastating Israel / Hamas war is entering its 5th month.  US and British warplanes are hitting Houthi rebels in Yemen who are taking potshots at commercial shipping lines in the Red Sea and the US is doing retaliatory bombing of Iranian backed militia groups in Iraq and Syria who recently caused the death of 3 US service members in Jordan.  It’s messy and getting messier.

Nationally, we have a crisis at our southern border, Congress is in gridlock and we’re barreling uncontrollably towards a November election with a divided country and candidates that neither political party really wants.  The only thing coming out of Washington these days is finger-pointing, name-calling, and mudslinging. It’s ugly and getting uglier.

Spiritually, the Enemy is at work in our communities, seeking to divide families, disrupt marriages and destroy lives.  The attacks seem relentless- fentanyl, pornography, screen addiction, isolation, abuse, hopelessness, moral relativism, sexual confusion, consumerism, materialism; and the church is not immune.  At times it feels like the very fabric of our society is unravelling.  It’s cruel and getting crueler.

What’s a Christian to do?

Answer:  STAND FIRM!

Ephesians 6:10-14 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then….

We are in the last days and the Enemy is more active than ever.  He knows his time is short so he’s seeking to spread chaos and despair and exploit any vulnerability he can find.  So, “stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8) We must armor up and stand our ground.  Now is not the time to roll over, quit or cower.  It’s time to stand up and stand firm.

I will not let the enemy get a toehold in my life. I will STAND and FIGHT

I will not let the enemy isolate me. I will STAND and FIGHT

I will not let the enemy steal my joy. I will STAND and FIGHT

I will not let the enemy lay claim to my children. I will STAND and FIGHT

I will not let the enemy intimidate me into silence. I will STAND and FIGHT

What do you need to STAND and FIGHT for? Post it in the comments below as a witness of God’s faithfulness to you in the battle.

Praise God, we don’t fight alone.  God fights for us.  Here’s a song we sang a few weeks ago that really encouraged me.  Take a listen…

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:8

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Fighting with you,

Steve

20 thoughts on “Stand Firm!”

  1. Thank you Steve for that encouraging word. Being physically a bit closer to much on the international stage just intensifies things a bit. And just received another ‘Dear Eric’ letter … blah. I’m just reading a book called Bro Andrew about the guy who God used to encourage and strengthen churches behind the Iron Curtain. I’m wondering if God’s aim is to wake us up in the west. Standing firm in the strength of Christ.

  2. Love the Shane and Shane reference… 🙂 They’ve been cranking out some good solid songs recently. Thanks for the reminder to Stand Firm. I’m hoping in 2024 to stand firm as we interact with coworkers, classmates, neighbors so that hopefully we will win some to see our solid and sure foundation is worth trusting.

  3. Pastor steve, what an encouraging message. The right message for this time that we are going through. Thanks for reminding us that we have the Lord on our side. And we know the end of the story!

    1. Thanks for praying for us to stand firm and faithfully passing on the faith Grand pop 🙂 love, Josh

  4. Amen to all you have written in your Blog!
    When Jesus left this Earth, He gave us a parting gift (John 14:27); a gift of Peace of Mind and Heart; a gift the world cannot give! So powerful.

  5. Amen Pastor Steve! We have everything we need in Jesus to stand firm against all odds and resist the enemy of our souls. I am so thankful we can stand firm together – shoulder to shoulder and shield to shield!

  6. I will stand firm and not let the enemy use physical ailments to steal my joy
    I will stand firm by getting on my knees taking my husband and teenagers to the feet of Jesus!

  7. I will stand and fight for my children. To lead them to God‘s word, point them to Jesus in all areas of their life. I will not turn the blind eye to the schemes of the enemy, trying to capture their souls. I will be on my knees and I will be available to them to guard against untruth.

  8. I would have despaired had i not believed that i would SEE the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Ps. 27:13 We need to spread the hope…The battle is done…Hallelujah!

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