You, Stand Firm in your Faith!

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Tim 3:12 (KJV)

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived 2 Tim 3:13 (KJV)

continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them 2 Tim 3:14 (KJV)

Stand or Command

 

 

Will we stand for God or will we command change in our own strength? This question is important to think about and the one that follows it as well: are you attempting to control others or to stand for what God has called you to defend?

   It is easy to conform to our old nature and selfish agenda, but as Christians who are in the Word, having his mind renewed and in relationship with the Holy Spirit, being transformed into the image of Christ; we  need to leave our old opinions behind and conform to the Word. What is God’s take on abortion? Welfare? Taxes? Government? The Bible actually does talk about all these things and history has confirmed God’s truth multiple times. What happens when a nation like ours is lazy and involved in homosexuality (Sodom and Gomorrah)? What happens to a nation wrapped up in sex, money, and murdering their children ? The Bible holds the answers.

  God really does have an agenda for how we live our lives, run a nation, and operate as believers, but are we listening? And when God speaks, are we standing, going, take action ?

    Politics in the U.S. is in a horrible array, what will Christians do? Yes, we cannot force others to adhere to the Truth, but we can testify, proclaim, and live it.

  Even though we cannot command others to change, WE MUST STAND!

Declaring the Sins of a People: the Prophet’s Plight

Declaring the Sins of a People: the Prophet’s Plight

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”

Isaiah 58:1 (KJV)

     God used to raise up prophets to speak to His people, has spoken through Christ (Heb. 1:1-2), and speaks to those who truly know and follow Him by His Spirit. However, the gift of prophecy is still used today, but I have found that it often comes through preachers (not “ministers” necessarily, but men who are in tune with God and declare and stand for the truth in the midst of a day and age that lives contrary to the Bible and hostile toward Truth).

       Many pastors are called for at least a season to this prophet role. As they seek God, He brings some hard (stern) messages and lays them on their spirit to preach/declare.  Personally, I’ve been there. I’ve sat down with hopes for a year of encouraging people and hopefully having them be encouraged and happy with me, to like and respect me as I share the Word, but then I get into the presence of God and He gives me the “tough” messages that get me labeled as the spoilsport or downer. The guy that people just want to shut up. Ever been there? A part of you wants to shut up, but you know that God has called you to speak. People don’t like you, but God is not only using you but teaching you that you have to fear and respect Him, not man?

Let’s pray:

Lord, help us to speak and shout when you tell us too, but to be silent when you want us to be. And above all, may we Fear You and not people: may we serve You and not our fear of fitting in. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Thought 277: Real men Gotta be tough--Biblical, right? from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 277

Real men Gotta be tough—Biblical, right?

  Well . . . .  you’re gonna need to define tough. A real man isn’t just tough. Rather, he models Jesus Christ: he lives his life as an example to those who follow him, his family and friends know what he really is and what he really stands for because he lives out his faith. A real man rules his household by example, by servant leadership. A real man takes responsibility for his actions and admits when he messes up or is wrong.

 Believe me that being the type of man I’m describing  is tough, but it earns you more respect from those under your leadership. A real man is a genuine person, and he has a low estimate of himself. He gives his best, but knows he is not perfect. He flees from pride and runs into the arms of Jesus. He is truly humble. True humility is strong, it is determined, it is resolute, yet compassionate,  it is uncompromising and lovingly firm. Study it out, what is true humility and what is true manhood? (Hint: the Bible contains the answers)

 

Are you are real man?

Do you know any real men?

. . .

I know the ultimate MAN –

Jesus.

And guess what? This man conquered death.

 

 

 

 

 

Thought 269: Conviction from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 269

Conviction

     Convictions are an important component of your Christian faith. As you mature spiritually, you should develop convictions based on what you’ve learned in the Word of God. Today, examine your “convictions.” Re-evaluate them to see if there is opinion wrapped up in them or a strong Biblical foundation, having Christ as the chief cornerstone.

Thought 262: Spiritual Chainmail & Persecution from Ryan's devotional book series Thoughts

Thought 262

Spiritual Chainmail & Persecution

“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” John 15:20 KJV

 

         Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour 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 armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

            Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

               But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.   —Ephesians 6:10-24 KJV

Thought 186: Sensitive Subjects? from Ryan's devotional book series: Thoughts

Thought 186

Sensitive Subjects?

     Modesty? Sex? Taking a stand in direct defiance of the cultural norm? Persecution? Islam? In the modern culture of today many, pastors and Christians will not take an absolute right or wrong standpoint on “sensitive issues”. These “sensitive” subjects include: sin, lust, money, sex, creation vs. evolution, forgiving, marriage, divorce, dating vs. courtship, the inerrancy of the WORD of GOD, deception, lying, drinking, and many, many more.

      The culture basically says that anything that is unfamiliar or countercultural to it is a “sensitive” subject. We are warned by some that they will hurt us if we tell them that they are doing something wrong. But O followers of Christ, we cannot continue to be silent all the time! Some will hate us, yes, that is true. We WILL be persecuted. We will have to face temptations. Jesus promised us that serving Him would bring persecution, but we aren’t to fear the persecutor—we are to the LORD.

     Dear Christian, we are not supposed to be lukewarm. We should not be The Great Compromisers, but rather The Great Followers of God! Whether this means being bold, standing in an enormous gap against “the flow” (like evolution, the deity of Christ, the truth of sin, and the truth of moral absolutes),  praying and fasting and crying out to the Lord to heal your land, etc… We need to be world changers, not culture accepters!

     What way(s) are you accepting non-Biblical “stuff” into your life right now? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to make a change in your lifestyle and respond by throwing out any idols that He reveals. Throw out that X-box, get rid of that trash on your computer, get rid of cable, break or burn that music and those DVD’s that are encouraging you NOT to follow the Lord, and rip up or burn those books which are putting lies into your head every time you read them.

   We need to stand up for the Truth God in our personal lives. But only after we deal with our big “plank” we can clearly identify and remove our brothers “specks,” only after we have broken free from our own chains.

Read and meditate on Matthew 7:3-5 and then read 7:1-8

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 140

Endurance: Standing Your Ground

Read Ephesians 6:10-20 (When you read verses 19 and 20 please pray those things for me, I need your prayers).

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood. . . .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.”

Ephesians 6:12,13 (NIV1984)

    Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but it feels like it sometimes. However, let’s examine that feeling for a minute. When people just seem to get your nerves is it really them that you are frustrated with or is it something about them or something that they do? Read Ephesians 6:12 for the answer to what are struggle is with.

    I have been going through tremendous pressures recently. Not just a week or a few days, but months. At times, it feels like I hear so many lies and don’t see anyone sharing truth. It’s frustrating, but it is an opportunity to get to draw near to the Lord.

    I can’t say that it’s easy to stand and endure, but I can say that the Lord is with us! In the midst of the fight—yea the struggle!—stand firm! Let’s look at some Scripture and place our confidence in the Lord. Take courage in these, hold fast to them:

“So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NIV1984)

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long . . . .Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. . . .The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.” Psalm 25:4-5,8-10,14-15 (NIV1984)