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Stand Firm, It’s an Attitude

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Freedom in Christ with tags death, flesh, Galatians 5, God the Spirit, Human nature, Jesus Christ, life, satan, stand firm, world on January 23, 2022 by paulthepoke

Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. ESV

stand firm… In the Greek, this is the word στήκω/stékó. The word is defined as to stand firm and fast, persevere.

Satan is observed to “stand firm” in Revelation. He is locked in with resolution and purpose. He wants to kill Jesus Christ.

Revelation 12:4b And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.

As people, we are conflicted with our human nature. There is a battle raging. There is what the flesh wants. And there is what the Spirit of God calls on us to do. Who are we going to serve?

Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

This is a matter of life and death. This choice has spiritual and eternal consequences.

Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

As believers, we are called to “stand firm” in many things. We are to stand firm in prayer. The result should be forgiveness.

Mark 11:25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

There are consequences for not “standing firm” in the truth. Satan does not stand firm or persevere in truth.

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Believers are called to stand firm in the faith.

1 Corinthians 16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

Many times, those who believe in Jesus Christ are called to stand firm in Him.

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

We are called to stand firm in the teaching of the Word of God.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

And in the case of Galatians 5:1 and our freedom in Christ, we are called to have this attitude of “standing firm” against sin.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. NKJV

The Real Deal… Joshua of Ghana

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Joshua Ghana with tags Ghana, God, Psalm 19, riches, spoils, wealth, world on May 2, 2021 by paulthepoke

TEXT: PSALM 19:7-14

Key verse: “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” -Psalm 19:10

Over the centuries and ages, nations and communities have gone to war for spoils in the form of gold, silver and for territories bearing rich mineral resources and promising vast untapped wealth. Africa was violently balkanized between the 19th and 20th centuries because of her enormous potential riches. Till today, there is still more strife on the continent as a result of the quest for the control of riches. But the word of God insists that mankind could save itself needless heartache, loss and stress if it follows the counsel of its Creator.

“The statutes of the LORD are right… More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:8,10,11

Not only is the way prescribed in the Bible better; when we keep to it, there will not be payback of regrets as man has witnessed in struggles over wealth.

There is a double portion of blessing packed into adhering to God’s precepts. While it offers far more than what this world gives, it also warns about what the Lord requires to enable one make heaven. Now, knowledge of that is certainly a precious possession, weightier and nobler than all the wealth of the world.

Man has incurred much loss through the centuries for placing earthly earnings above God’s laws. But the real and perfect deal is the word of God, which suffices for peace and contentment here on earth and for eternity with Christ Jesus in heaven.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Aim for heaven’s golden streets, not ephemeral earthly earnings.