When There's Nothing Else To Do - Just Stand!

And I’m involved in a spiritual battle right now, and yesterday, as I thought about how intolerant our world has become to everything that is good, I remarked how, although our world is sinking into the pit, Satan is about to run out of influence, with his time soon over as Christ’s return draws near.

Well, Satan didn’t like being reminded of his impending doom and attempted to wreak havoc in our home, but I remained calm until peace was restored, more determined than ever to stand strong!

In fact, I’m energized to fight at every turn for the gospel of Christ. I’m on the winning team. Satan, although he looks like he’s strong and appears to be gaining ground in this beautiful world of ours will soon be defeated as we wait eagerly for a new dawn!

You may not know this but the truth is Jesus will return…

“But who can live when he appears? Who can endure his coming?
For he is like a blazing fire refining precious metal, and he can bleach the dirtiest garments!
Like a refiner of silver, he will sit and closely watch as the dross is burned away. Malachi 3:2-3

And the world needs to know about this! That’s my job, to let you know, but I can’t do it on my own…

“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? Matthew 16:24

God will make you the head, not the tail; you’ll always be the top dog, never the bottom dog, as you obediently listen to and diligently keep the commands of God, your God, that I am commanding you today. Don’t swerve an inch to the right or left from the words that I command you today by going off following and worshiping other gods. Deuteronomy 28:13’

“Here’s another way to put it: I’m here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:15

Like this lighthouse so beautifully captured by Steve Garrington, I need to stand my ground, no matter what appears before me.

What it means to follow Jesus…
“If anyone wants to follow in my footsteps, he must give up all right to himself, carry his cross every day and keep close behind me. For the man who wants to save his life will lose it, but the man who loses his life for my sake will save it. For what is the use of a man gaining the whole world if he loses or forfeits his own soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him, when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels. I tell you the simple truth—there are men standing here today who will not taste death until they have seen the kingdom of God!” Luke 9:23-27

But following Jesus comes at a price…
For the Bible says:
Be forewarned and forearmed in your spiritual conflict
Be strong—not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless resource. Put on God’s complete armour so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s methods of attack. For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organisations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil. Therefore you must wear the whole armour of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and that even when you have fought to a standstill, you may still stand your ground.
Take your stand, then with the truth as your belt, righteousness your breastplate, the Gospel of peace firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet and in your hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you. Pray at all times with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you pray for all Christ’s men and women.
Ephesians 6:13-18 J.B. Phillips New Testament

I’m up for the challenge, how about you?

If you’ve discovered how important your roll is as a Christian, begin by sharing this with those you love. 2018 Elaine Costin – Capturing Sunrise / Blog