Stand

Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 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, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 

Are we willing to stand?  These verses are meant for our stand against the devil. But what does that mean for us?  What stands do we make?  Do we stand against our selfish desires?  Our anger?  Our sinfulness?  Where do we draw the line?  Or do we draw the line when it comes to standing for Christ?  What costs come in doing the right thing?  Do we carry the whole armor of God to take that stand?  Do we gird our waists with truth?  Do we put on our breastplates of righteousness?  Do we shod our feet with the gospel of peace?  Do we take our shields of faith?  Do we take our helmets of salvation and our swords of the Spirit; the Word of God?

When we stand against the devil we are standing against sin.  We are standing against the desires of the flesh.  Sometimes we have to sacrifice things in our lives that stand in our way.  Some things we really want to keep, and even those things we keep that we don't really want, but can't get rid of until we stand for what God wants.  That is not always easy.  Paul said in Romans 7:15, "For what I am doing, I do not understand.  For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do."  Sometimes we do things in our flesh that we wish we wouldn't do.  We must stand firm with our armor so that we can fight against such things.

Let's take a stand today against the evil of this world, against that which the devil would have us to do, so that, we as Christians, can live above reproach and show Who Jesus really is to a dying world.

                          In His Love

                             Sabrina

How Well Do You Live Your Life?

In view of past events since the shooting of Michael Brown, the suicide of Robin Williams, the death of Lauren Bacall, and things that just happen in our life in a tragic and untimely manner, my focus on humor will be preempted for now.

     I was on a cruise to Alaska, having the time of my life, when on the news came tragedy.  The Michael Brown shooting.  The suicide of the great comedian, Robin Williams, and the death of a great legacy, Lauren Bacall.  The death of the teenager who was apparently gunned down, unarmed caused riots in Ferguson, Missouri.  Whether or not the boy was guilty or not, unarmed or armed, it still caused a family to lose a child, and an officer to face ridicule, and riots to break out.  It was sad no matter the true situation.

     Robin Williams was a funny, talented and giving man.  So much so, he didn't have time for himself.  He was lost in a world of pain and suffering and didn't know how to reach out.  He made people laugh and made them feel special but he had something missing in his own life.  He suffered from emotional conflicts and drug addiction that ultimately led him to the most extreme despair.  He had "it all" on the outside, fame and fortune, but was empty on the inside.  We all ask "why"?, but we will never know.

     Lauren Bacall died at the age of 89, of, I believe, a stroke.  She lived her life apparently well.  Her career lasted decades.  She had beauty and grace, and left a lasting legacy.  I have admired her in her films and she seemed to handle life well.  Her family was with her when she died.  God gave her a long life.  It was sad to hear that she had passed, just as it was sad to hear of Michael Brown and Robin Williams.  But with Miss Bacall it was a different life than the others.  It wasn't tragic.

     Coming back from my cruise I came home to some issues of my own.  What is called everyday life, with it's unexpected twists and turns.  How we choose to live our lives in a chaotic world is what really defines us.  Do we choose to live in violence?  Do we choose to give up so easy under pressure?  Do we live life with grace and purpose?  How do we live?  Sometimes discouragement gets in our way and we feel like it will never get any better than this.  Sometimes we vie for rights of others that turn to tragedy in and of itself.  Sometimes we look at discouragement in its face and say, "I've had enough of you, go away"! How well do you live your life?

     James 1:2-8 says, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, Who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf off the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways".  Trials are always a part of our lives.  They are inevitable.  You are either going into a trial, in the middle of a trial, or coming out of one.  The way in which we handle it is our choice, and will ultimately steer your life in one direction or another.  A violent life will lead to violence.  A hopeless life will lead to suicide.  A life with honor will lead to honor.  How well do you live your life?  

     Jeremiah 29:11 says God knows His plans for us and gives us hope, if we'll just accept it.  I was where Robin Williams was 8 years ago.  I came too close to giving up, but by the Grace of God I cried out to Him and am here to tell you about hope.  Praise Jesus!  I'm not trying to preach, I am just sharing that for almost 30 years I wanted to quit this life, and I have found hope.  God is amazing.  I don't always live my life well, but I have hope.  I make mistakes, get discouraged, and even get a little angry at times, but then I look up and realize Who holds my future, and I again cry out to Him.  How well do you live your life?

     These three people will stick in my mind for a long time.  The loss that occurred and how it occurred will never leave me.  One may have been at the wrong place at the wrong time.  One had no hope.  One life was long and fulfilled.  What is your life like?

Blessings to each one of you today.  May your life count as something no matter what your situation is today.

Sabrina