stand firm

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I Will Not Be Shaken

18th -19th March

Weekend Edition

“I know that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He right beside me.”

Psalms 16:8

Where is your hope found? Where is your security found? Is it in financial stability or accumulation of possessions? Or is it in Almighty God? The answer to these questions will predict what your reaction will be when tough times come. If your faith, security, strength and hope is found in material things, then when hard times come, you will quickly fall into despair and depression. YET, if your hope is in Jesus, in Almighty God, you will not be shaken when the storm comes, because you know that right beside you, is the creator of the world and the ruler of all things. Knowing He is beside us, gives us the confidence to battle through in victory, through all that is thrown at us.

In theory this works and is truth based in God’s word. Yet we can’t just live a theoretical life, knowing what is truth but never acting upon it. It’s like walking in the rain with an umbrella but never using it to protect you from the rain. In theory it opens up to form a shelter over you, but if you never use it, it’s pointless having it. We must move our faith from just simple theology to practical faith by intentionally asking God to stand by our side, trusting that He is always with us, inviting Him into every part of our lives, into all our worries and storms. God cares. He is with us. He wants to help us. He promised it. God is strength and we will not be shaken!

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In The World But Not Of It

13th March

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

Romans 12:2

Did you know that when a salmon is ready to start spawning, it returns from the great ocean, swims upstream and returns to the place that it itself was spawned. Sometimes the distance it swims from the ocean to the river, can be almost around 900 miles (1400km)1. The ‘Salmon run’ often can be used to describe the life of a believer returning to our real home. We are born in this world, but as Jesus says in John 17 verse 14, ‘we are not of this world’! Our home is heaven. Although we are not of this world, we do live in it. Yet just because we live in it, it doesn’t mean that we have to follow its ways. The writer of Romans encourages us to be like the ‘salmon’ and to actually swim against the currents, the behaviours and customs of this world, by letting God transform us! How does God do this? By changing the way we think.

As we grow in our walk with God, He becomes all we think about. When we focus on Him, the behaviours, patterns and customs of this world, fall away as we are transformed into Godly living. If truth be told, it is much easier to live the way everyone else lives, following their sinful lifestyles. But God has called us to swim against that current and to stand firm against things that try to push us away from Him. Moreover, Jesus Himself prayed for us that we would have the strength to stand firm. He prayed ‘not that we would be taken out of the world’ but rather that we ‘be kept safe from the evil one’2. As you swim upstream, as you swim against the currents and behaviour patterns of this world, know that the King of Kings is willing you on. Be strong and courageous. Be blessed. Let your mind be transformed by Jesus!

2Paraphrased from John 17:15

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In Spite Of Persecution, Press On

6th March

“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or Me.”

John 16:1-3

You may read the title of today’s devotion and the Bible verse and think this is a little heavy for a Monday morning, but persecution is a reality that many believers around the world face. Sadly, throughout church history, many Christians have too been persecutors of both those outside the faith and even those inside of it, thinking they are doing a ‘holy service for God’. However, persecution doesn’t always come in the form of physical abuse, like the early church faced. Persecution takes on many forms. Verbal abuse, condemnation, family and friends disowning you and so on. BUT, in spite of all things that surround us, we can still stand firm in our faith, because of Jesus, and because we are empowered with the Holy Spirit.

Friends, when persecution comes, don’t abandon your faith, but rather hold fast to it. For it is our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that keeps us strong, no matter what we face. We can take comfort and know that whatever we have or are facing, Jesus went through too! It is for this reason that He helps us in times of struggles, because He knows what we are going through. Let us lean on Jesus, trust in His strength, and know 100% that whatever we face, He is with us. Press on! Don’t give up!

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Stand Firm: Part 3

27th – 28th February

Weekend Edition

“So at last the King gave his orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.” A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel.”

Daniel 6:16-17

Sadly, King Darius, seemed to have missed hearing the stories about God’s faithfulness towards Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. He also ordered a decree that anyone found guilty of praying to any other god beside himself, must be arrested and thrown into the lion’s den.

Daniel, fell into that category. As he did everyday, he went up to his room, opened his windows towards Jerusalem and prayed to God, giving thanks. However, little did he know that he was being trapped by the high officials and rulers who were jealous of Daniel’s influence over the king. At once the high officials reported Daniel’s law breaking actions to the King. Reluctantly, King Darius ordered Daniel’s arrest and threw him into a den full of hungry lions.

The next day as King Darius went to check on what had happened to Daniel, and he was astonished to see the him completely un-harmed with not even a scratch on his body.

Daniels trust in the one true God and his willingness to not to compromise, not only saved his life, but led King Darius to proclaim that not himself, or his pagan gods but Daniel’s God, was the one true God whose Kingdom and rule will never end.

King Darius was completely right. We still serve that same God today; the God who rescued Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the fiery furnace and rescued Daniel from the lion’s den. All four had one thing in common. A desire to honour and worship the one true God, despite the consequences. We too should strive to honour God in our daily lives, whether at work or in our schools and homes, wherever it may be, let us always worship God faithfully. Let our witness be so great that people will also proclaim that our God is the one true God, whose kingdom will never end.

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Stand Firm

25th February

““But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then chose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.””

Joshua 24:15

Currently in the UK, there is an ongoing court case where a famous football player is being convicted of grooming an underage girl for his pleasure. Although he has not been convicted yet, the most likely verdict will be guilty. Yet what leads a man with a successful career (and a family) to fall so deeply into the enticement of sin? Is it because he didn’t have God in His life? Well, sadly in the church too, we see the same trend, whereby great men and women of God have also fallen into sin with great repercussions. What caused them to stumble? A lack of accountability? A lack of of moral consciousness? Moreover, if people even in the church can stumble, where do we find our source of inspiration from?

The Bible. Of course the obvious answer is Jesus, the sinless and perfect Saviour who faultlessly gave us the prime example of how we should live our lives. Yet there are also many other characters in the Bible, where we can draw inspiration from, such as Joshua. Joshua was a man commissioned by God to lead the people of Israel into the promised land after the passing of Moses. He faced a huge task, firstly to lead so many people and also because the journey into the promised land was full of enemies that had to be defeated; take for example the city of Jericho and the crossing of the river Jordan.

Joshua, in chapter 23 and 24, gives a final ‘last’ speech to the people of Israel, encouraging them to stay faithful and not to compromise by worshipping other gods. Joshua himself had led a blameless and holy life before God. In his final words he shouts out to the people with these words…But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. In other words, ‘I have led you to follow the Lord, set you an example with my life, and now whom will you serve… I don’t know about you but as for me and my family, we have made a choice to serve the Lord!’

Friends, in a world full of compromise, will you be counted among those who stand strong and commit to serving the Lord. Let us remember that no sin is to great for grace and no distance to far for God’s love. Stand up once more and keep fighting the good fight! But as for you…..??

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A Stake In The Ground: Run Away

6th January

“Run away from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.”

2 Timothy 2:22

Francis Chan recently preached a message on how we allow the lie, that what the enemy has to offer is better than God’s best, to easily deceive us. In his sermon he gave an example of fishing. On the hook of a fishing rod, he put a $100 bill. He explained that many would reach out to take it, yet concealed by the money was the hook used to catch the bait. He explained that many of us also fall into the same trap. We take the bait that the enemy dangles in front of us, fully knowing that behind the pleasures of sin, is a hook that can lead to addiction and captivity. We deny God’s goodness and take the bait of the enemy’s sugar coated temptation. Yet the enemy’s best can never compare to God’s goodness and always falls short in comparison.

What if we were to take a stand and reject those temptations; To, as Paul says, run away from anything that simulates youthful lusts. Joseph did, when approached by Potiphar’s wife. Jesus did when tempted by the enemy. And we too can by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us put a stake in the ground and declare that WE WILL NOT STAND IN THE PATH OF SINNERS BUT RUN AWAY FROM TEMPTATION. Let us heed Paul’s advice even if that means making new friends, getting accountable, or even changing our lifestyles. In Jesus’ power we can overcome. Keep your eyes fixed on Him. Let us live in His grace.

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And After All Stand

31st October – 1st November

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground…..”

Ephesians 6:13-14a

We are not called to be back seat Christians. We are called to stand and fight the good fight on the front lines. That is not to say that we should go looking for trouble with an arrogant and defiant attitude, but rather it is to say that when trouble does come, we are prepared because we have been armed with the tools to stand against the enemy and to resist him “in the time of evil.” So often, we try to fight the enemy in our strength and forget that we have access not only to the tools to withstand him but a Father who is infinitely more powerful than the best the enemy has to offer.

The NLT version of this verse wonderfully describes the result of a child of God, bought with the blood of Christ and armed with the armour of God; After the battle, they still are standing firmly! How amazing. Throughout the bible there are so many examples of mighty warriors in faith, who have been able to withstand the best the enemy has thrown at them, because they were well equipped with the armour of God. Take Daniel for example; thrown into the lions den and was found without even a scratch. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; thrown into the fiery furnace and didn’t even smell of smoke when they were let out. Gideon; faced a huge task of defeating an enemy around 100,000 times bigger than his and came out victorious. Paul; bitten by a deadly snake on the island of Malta, yet still carried on preaching and healing the sick. Peter; imprisoned on numerous occasions and walked out a free man.

All these are great examples of the victory we have in Christ, not only in the physical realm but also in the Spiritual. Let stand firm in the grace, love and power of Christ, well equipped with the armour of God and completely reliant on Christ for every battle!

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Stand Firm In Your Faith

21st -22ndJune

Weekend Edition

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love!”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

This morning, as I sat aside, I noticed a small ant carrying something 3 times it size. As it meandered its way over the rocky flower bed en route to the whole in the ground that they call home, it struggled to keep hold of this object. Yet it did not give up. At one point there was a bigger stone that this small ant came across (it probably was like a mountain to this ant). The object he was carrying was so heavy that the ant couldn’t find a way to carry it over the stone. The ant came at it from all different angles. He tried pulling it, pushing it, and dragging it until eventually he managed to get it over the stone and to its home. I was so humbled seeing this and was greatly encouraged.

We too go through so many trials in our lifetime, carry burdens and problems which sometimes seem so much bigger than us, yet we have an advantage. We have a God who is willing us on, who wants to carry our burdens and who make our path straight. Sometimes we needlessly fight our way through difficulties rather than relying on Jesus to make our path straight and remove our obstacles for us.

We need to take courage than when hardships come in our lives, we don’t need to give up or fight in our own strength. We can stand firm, be courageous and strong. Yet our courage, strength and faith all comes from being in the presence of God, resourced by His Holy Spirit and guided by His power. We can stand firm in our faith and we don’t need to give into the enemy. We can be like that small ant, when faced with situations bigger than ourselves, persevere and reap the reward of endurance. Don’t give up. Be bold and courageous and put your trust and hope in the God who created the world.