Stand… Armed

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Stand, #2

Stand firm then, with… truth… righteousness…
peace… faith… salvation and… the Word of God.
Ephesians 6:14-18

You may have learned, as I did, that stubbornly standing does not ensure success. Stubbornness allows us to feel determined and enjoy an exaggerated perception of strength but, like other good intentions, it won’t win any wars. God gives us what we need to win.

We may get hung up with the specific pieces of armor listed in Ephesians 6—belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword—but when we step aside from the imagery we find our basic provisions.

  • God is the truth.
  • He makes us righteous.
  • He gives us peace and makes us peacemakers.
  • He gives us faith and makes us faithful.
  • He saved us, making us His.
  • His manual is the Word of God.

It is ALL we need—and it is all we NEED.

So, “don’t leave home without it.” Don’t try to stand without being protected and armed. Rely on truth, not feelings. Act with integrity. Step forward in the confidence of peace. Be secure in your faith. Know that your salvation has placed you in the army of the redeemed. Immerse yourself in the Word.

Now… you are ready to stand!

Stand… and Stand

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Stand, #1

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 6:13

The last few years have challenged us physically, financially, socially, mentally, and, might I add, spiritually. Widespread disease, a diminished economy, anxiety about socializing, intrusive depressing thoughts, and the challenge to our confidence that God is in control, have weakened us. Will 2023 be different?

As I contemplated the arrival of a new year, the Lord dropped a word in my heart: Stand. Don’t cower, don’t weaken, don’t tremble. Stand fast, firm, fixed. The Lord reminded of my own words, written in 2019 and too easily forgotten. They are an antidote to fear that allow hope to once again flow.

  • Hold your eyes higher—above troubling circumstances.
  • Open your heart to God’s opportunities—this is not a dead end, but a turn in the road.
  • Ponder the positive, not the problems—replace negative fears and worries with assurances of God’s love and sovereignty.
  • Expect grace—don’t wait for the other shoe to drop, but anticipate God’s blessing. He’s all about grace!

These practices will feed our hope and enable us to stand in 2023.

*I Was Broken, Too

Light Paramount

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

12/22/2022

Christmas Light, #4

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.” Isaiah 66:1-2

The light of God’s glory illuminates the darkness of our thoughts and the fears of our souls. His light within, fills us with hope for a future light brighter than any we’ve seen—clearer than we can comprehend, glorious beyond description, lacking shadow and haze, intense but not glaring, elating and refreshing our souls.

The light that guided wisemen to the Savior, guides us to kneel before Him. We worship Him now but anticipate living in the light of His glory, when darkness no longer covers the earth. His light in us urges our hearts to anticipate life in His kingdom.

The celebration of Christmas offers us a respite from our stifling darkness as it points us to a realm undimmed by sin. Think for a moment about the dark effect of our current dwelling place: distrust, insecurity, fear, hostility, intimidation, inferiority, bitterness, offence, jealousy, anger, uncertainty, suspicion, tension, threats, instability, and so on. It is hard to imagine living in a world of light where God will erase every shadow.

There will be no negative words, questionable glances, or critical comments. We will believe the best, attain the most, succeed in our efforts, excel in our gifts, rejoice unrestrained.

At Christmas, may our anticipation of happy company, shared meals, and joyous gift-giving, pique our longing for the full, unhindered, and pure joy that awaits us.