Stand Firm in the Spirit

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NIV)
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 

Stand firm, don't waiver, remember what you learned while with us. This sounds like good advice, and perhaps something we heard as we ventured out into the world. Our parents might have shared the same wisdom their own parents bestowed on them. Below are more words to encourage us to stay strong in the faith, and don't fall when tempted, but keep our eyes on Jesus.

1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."

1 Samuel 4:9 "Take courage and be men, O Philistines, or you will become slaves to the Hebrews, as they have been slaves to you; therefore, be men and fight."

 

2 Samuel 10:12 "Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight."

Psalm 31:24 "Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD."

Matthew 24:42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come."

Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery."

Ephesians 3:16 "I pray that out of the riches of His glory, He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,"

Consider noting these Bible verses and turning to them when faced with situations which challenge the faith. As this happens regularly in life, and we need to be prepared.



2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Matthew 2: 1-12

                                                      Epiphany Sunday

                                            God in the Flesh                                   

Epiphany comes from two Greek words basically meaning to shine upon, to reveal, or to appear or manifest. At this place in scripture, the Epiphany celebrates God’s revealing or manifesting of Jesus’ identity as true God, Messiah, and Savior of the world.

From The Journey (A bible for seeking God and understanding life)

Reasons to Believe:

Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Micah wrote that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5: 2) When the Maji and King Herod wanted to know where the new king would be born, the Jewish leaders who knew the passage well were able to tell them. Detailed predictions like these, show that the Bible is unlike any other religious book in the world. Jesus is the only holy founder of a major world religion whose birthplace was prophesied hundreds of years in advance of his birth.

Today “wise” men and women continue to seek the word of God, and strive to live as Jesus lived. The Maji (wise men) who followed the star and found the Christ child, were a great example of ignoring worldly directions to protect the sanctity of the Lord. Herod told them to find the child and report back to him so he too could go and worship the child. Knowing that the intentions of the king were not to worship but to harm the baby, they did not comply with his command.

Each day of our lives we are faced with worldly choices that can result in dishonoring the word of God. We can choose to ignore the negative forces in this world for the honor and glory of His name, or we can weaken and comply. Though we may falter along the way, and it is difficult to remain strong, it is “wise.”

Read/Listen to Matthew 2:1-12 

Psalm 27

Prayer is Waiting

We wait in line at the grocery store. We wait in traffic. We wait to be seated at restaurants, then wait to give our order, wait to be served, wait for our check, wait for our change, and then wait to exit the parking lot so we can wait at the traffic light for our turn to go, so we can get to the next intersection and wait some more.

We accept this waiting because it is a must if we are to get what we want and remain safe.

Psalm 27: 1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:4-5 “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in his temple. For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in his dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.”

In this fast food, express line world, we forget what it is we are called to do. Psalm 27: 14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

He will give us what we desire, and He has promised to keep us safe. We can count on that promise. Our grocery stores, restaurants, and cars may offer us momentary satisfaction, but our true source of peace and contentment can be found only in the Lord.

As we conclude this series in Psalms, please remember that this book is a wonderful source of encouragement and comfort when this world beats us down. Psalms holds truth and hope for all of us. Turn to Psalms when you are tempted to close off the rest of the world and have yourself a pity party. Open the book of Psalms when those you thought were friends disappoint you. Rest in the book of Psalms when your heart is broken. His word is always there for you, and His promises remain.

Strength Will Rise As We Wait Upon The Lord!

Listen to “Everlasting God” by Chris Tomlin

Listen to/Read Psalm 27