"Blessed is she, who has believed, that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished." Luke 1:45

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Thursday, December 11, 2008

Standing

Our ladies Bible study was great this week. It was all about waiting. I am not good at waiting. I like what I want now and I want it just like I ordered.

This whole study has been about preparing our home, our heart, our life and our spirit to become the woman that God has always intended us to be. I have really enjoyed it and got a lot of new perspectives and ideas on what I need to do to grow to the next level, as well as how to focus in and be effective where I am now.

This week there was this profound moment of clarity for me, and I just figured that everyone was just as impacted as I was. I learned tonight that every one else pretty much passed it over without notice. Maybe I am just that far behind them or maybe it was just my message to receive. Either way, I thought I would pass it on.

The Hubby and I have really been struggling with getting our lives on the correct course. This week in my Bible study featured some verses that really connect to where we are now. They are John 15:1-10. When Jesus is speaking about the pruning of the vine… Wow. That is EXACTLY what God is doing in our lives. Bob and I have finally let go of some things and given them over to God. We have fully committed to changing and following God’s leading. The only thing is, once we did that, our situation immediately got worse. I have really struggled with that this week. Why are things happening like they are? One of my friends said it is like Satan is pushing it right back at us and that is true. It really does feel like he is determined to break us from the commitment we made.

So what was my profound moment? This week, there was a section about standing. It referenced Ephesians 6:13:

Therefore 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.

The day of evil isn’t some vague, distant time. We are in it. And God does call us to stand. We are to give everything to Him, trust Him to be who He says He is, and then stand. No matter what Satan throws at us, stand. No matter how much we want to give up, stand. No matter how uncertain and unseen the future is, stand. Once the commitment is made to God, we have all the power we need to hold our ground and give Satan nothing. But we have to choose to stand, to hold that ground through the power of the Holy Spirit that is already at work in us. To quit acting, and more importantly, reacting, in the flesh.

The end of the verse says, after you have done everything, to stand. So there is instruction there. Have we done everything? Have we prayed about it? Have we given it to God? Have we trusted Him to help us? Have we turned to his Word to receive instruction? Have we done what He wanted us to do? If the answer to all of these is “yes” then we are to stand.

Holding ground until God calls us to advance.

Ready, but waiting.. Standing.

5 comments:

Kelly said...

What a wonderful message you received. God's word is living and each of us receives the message he needs for us.

Keep Standing!

Unknown said...

Love your blog - I can so totally relate!
Check mine out at
www.theriestererfam5.blogspot.com

so fun to meet new people through this avenue..
Blessings to you!
Angela

GodsOwn/Bernice said...

I needed these thoughts and words of you today at this time ( far after midnight) to reach me this side of the ocean!!
I know now why i was constantly drawn to this bloggy land today for your word of encouragement . This evening my dh's was talking about eph. and i know God want to bring me to that book in His word again.Thxs and lets pray for eachother to STAND.......
Blessings
btw i came on your block from Sonja's

GodsOwn/Bernice said...

Like you spoke to me......It's FAR after midnight and when i went to sit AGAIN at the back of the pc. I thought you must go to bed but like i was looking for something in "bloggyland" as i call this new veneu i discovered...I went to look if i linked right at Sonya's ( Edie from rich gifts asked if i did it....) and than thought to read your blog.......
And it isn't coincidence that 2 times this evening and now you bring .the book of eph to my mind and what you learned.......
What you learned i HAD to hear in those words


No matter what Satan throws at us, stand. No matter how much we want to give up, stand. No matter how uncertain and unseen the future is, stand. Once the commitment is made to God, we have all the power we need to hold our ground and give Satan nothing. But we have to choose to stand, to hold that ground through the power of the Holy Spirit that is already at work in us. To quit acting, and more importantly, reacting, in the flesh.

I especially must believe in the power of the Holy Spirit in me and give it MORE way so i can stand firmly and gave Satan no way at all.
This whole year my family struggle to put our life at the right course and it wasn' easy but we have to choose to stand as you say

Thxs and manny blessings

Shanda said...

Our pastor gave a message recently called, "The Posture of Spiritual Warfare." He brought out that same verse about standing. Amazing how we can read things over and over and then something in the same verse can jump out and grab you!

Standing with you!