Tuesday, April 23, 2013

stand

Sometimes shortly after we gain a victory we notice that maybe some of the things that were overcome aren't quite dead yet and start trying to raise their ugly heads even though they have been crushed underfoot. You see this over and over again following retreats and conferences and revival meetings. It always seems like there are some that have great testimonies about what God did and how they were changed but a few weeks later they are back doing whatever it was they were set free from.  And then discouragement creeps in and whispers doubt and lies that victory can never be obtained that we are stuck where are and can never move forward. These are lies from the pit of hell. Part of the problem is that the people have been trained for a sprint but the are running a marathon. Our discipleship is falling short because we aren't showing how to maintain a long term healthy deeper relationship with Abba that is the true source of our sustained victory. If our leaders cannot encourage themselves in the Lord as David did, how can we expect the people they are leading to stand firm too?
Ephesians 6:10-13 "In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to  resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]."

3 comments:

  1. Christianity is a contact and not a spectator sport as it has become.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Christianity is a contact and not a spectator sport as it has become.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Christianity is a contact and not a spectator sport as it has become. Discipleship entails getting involved in peoples lives and their mess.

    ReplyDelete