Good morning! "The grass whithers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." Isaiah 40:8. Do you believe His Word abides forever? Where are you standing today?
After this last few days I am finding that no matter how the wind blows; the heat drying out my life through trials, I CAN stand. Pressure to conform to the standards of this world and being teased by the enemy to just go with the flow...these I CAN stand firm against. Lately, I have had lots of practice!
Galatians 5:1 says, "In [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off]." We are free in Christ because of the work He did in coming to save us. When the world presses in, then look to eternity. Ask the Lord to give you a glimpse and you will find the strength to stand once more.
Everything here will pass away. Our bodies, our stuff, our culture. There is nothing firm in these. Yet, we have been given precious promises in God's Word that we can lean into for support when our knees feel too weak to hold us up. Jesus came so that we might share in His strength. No our own. He doesn't hold it against us if our flesh is weak. He does provide His Spirit in us to teach us and train us to stand firm.
If you read on Galatians 5, you will see that the desires of the flesh are opposed to the Holy Spirit. There is a continual conflict. It goes on to show us exactly what that list of the flesh is. Then, by His Grace and Mercy we are reminded what the fruits of the Spirit are. In these we stand firm! In these we raise up a standard in the battle that proclaims King Jesus has the victory over the flesh, hell and the grave. Let's look at these fruits.
Galatians 5:22..."But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]" Wow! Just imagine if every believer lived out this list. My mind went back to this again and again as I was dealing with the last trial. Over and over again these kept me in line I guess you could say. Or, kept my flesh from having her way!
I am encouraged that we have all we need as we look into the Word of God. We have a wardrobe of godly armor, clothing that makes us kings and queens of the kingdom. We are fueled with the Bread of Life and all our thirsts are quenched with Living Water. We have a purpose everyday to walk in the attitude and mind of Christ and are given the empowerment of the Holy Spirit who resides in us.
Sometimes I feel like a child needing her nanny. Here I am still learning the lessons over and again, yet, finally seeing some positive changes. The Holy Spirit guides and comforts me with every step. Would you like to find your way today through the troubles around you? You can. Only submit yourself and all of it, whatever the it is and then you will find yourself in the presence of the Lord. He promises never to leave you so, He won't. He will not lie to you. He will not disappoint you either! He does know.
I will leave you with the words of Jesus. Matthew 11:28-30..."Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good---not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne." I want that, don't you? So, what are we waiting for? As I have said before, "Run, don't walk to the arms of Jesus!"
Abundance is...Standing on the promises of God in Christ Jesus!