There are commands in Scripture that are repeated many times. The call to 'stand firm' is one of those commands. It appears all throughout the Bible.

 

There are a number of powerful verses in Scripture about standing firm:

 

 

*1 Peter 5:8-11*

He Gets the Last Word

8-11 Keep a cool head. Stay alert! The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.

–

Philippians 4:1

"Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved."

 

*HOW TO KEEP STANDING FIRM ON GOD'S WORD*:

 

Webster's Dictionary defines "standing firm" as *to refuse to change a decision, position*

 

As Christians, our faith will be constantly challenged in the form of temptation and trials. The Devil knows exactly when to target us–when we’re at our weakest, he knows precisely what tempts us most.

 

Often, the challenge comes when the world’s way is counter-cultural to God’s way. We want to be accepted, and it’s difficult to always say or do the right things.

 

*3 WAYS TO STAND FIRM IN YOUR FAITH*

 

1. *KNOW UPON WHAT (OR WHOM) WE ARE STANDING*.

One common keyword regarding what or whom we should stand on is "The Rock"!

 

Psalm 40: 1-2, John 14:6, Isaiah 40:8

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”

 

*Prayer:*

1. Ask God to increase your faith exponentially, to help you to believe his promises will be fulfilled in our lives regardless of our situation.

 

2. *SAY NO TO THE DEVIL AND HIS LIES*

When we are struggling with our faith, the Devil will constantly suggest 'alternatives' that are contrary to God's Word to us. We have to choose to cast down those thoughts (Ephesians 6:13).

 

*1 Peter 5:8*

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering.”

 

*Prayer:*

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to be your strength and help you to live a life of faith that doesn’t waver through unbelief. 

 

3. *DON'T "PENDULUM-SWING" BETWEEN FAITH AND DOUBT*

We have to know what we believe and why we believe, so that when the challenges come, we are firm in our faith. Why did you decide to follow Christ? Why do you choose to serve Him? What do you believe about God and His Word?

 

*1 Kings 18:21*

“Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.'”

 

*Prayer:*

3. Pray for the grace to trust God's Word over your ways and thoughts. - in the middle of darkness, in the middle of sorrow, in the middle of his tribulation.

[28/3/2024, 17:41:23] Josh MAGH: Amen. Thank you Bro Fola for leading and sharing and thank you brothers for praying 🙏. Have a blessed day

[29/3/2024, 16:58:01] Josh MAGH: PART 3: BECOMING GOD’S BATTLE AXE – The Spirit of the Lord

 

The spirit of the Lord

 

-          Genesis 1: 1-3 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

 

-          Acts 2:17 / Joel 2:28

 

-          “‘In the last days, God says,

    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

    your young men will see visions,

    your old men will dream dreams.

 

 Valley of dry bones: Ezekiel 37.

 

 

-          37 The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

 

John 16:13 - 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

 

John 14:26 - 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

 

1 Corinthians 2:10 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit, The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

 

1 Corinthians 14

 

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy.

 

Jude 20: But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy spirit.

 

Ephesians 6:18 - 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people

 

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 8:

 

Wisdom’s Call

 

8 Does not wisdom call out?

    Does not understanding raise her voice?

2 At the highest point along the way,

    where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

3 beside the gate leading into the city,

    at the entrance, she cries aloud:

4 “To you, O people, I call out;

    I raise my voice to all mankind.

5 You who are simple, gain prudence;

    you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]

6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;

    I open my lips to speak what is right.

7 My mouth speaks what is true,

    for my lips detest wickedness.

8 All the words of my mouth are just;

    none of them is crooked or perverse.

9 To the discerning all of them are right;

    they are upright to those who have found knowledge.

10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,

    knowledge rather than choice gold,

11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,

    and nothing you desire can compare with her.

 

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;

    I possess knowledge and discretion.

13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;

    I hate pride and arrogance,

    evil behavior and perverse speech.

14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;

    I have insight, I have power.

15 By me kings reign

    and rulers issue decrees that are just;

16 by me princes govern,

    and nobles—all who rule on earth.[b]

17 I love those who love me,

    and those who seek me find me.

18 With me are riches and honor,

    enduring wealth and prosperity.

19 My fruit is better than fine gold;

    what I yield surpasses choice silver.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness,

    along the paths of justice,

21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me

    and making their treasuries full.

 

22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[c][d]

    before his deeds of old;

23 I was formed long ages ago,

    at the very beginning, when the world came to be.

24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,

    when there were no springs overflowing with water;

25 before the mountains were settled in place,

    before the hills, I was given birth,

26 before he made the world or its fields

    or any of the dust of the earth.

27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,

    when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

28 when he established the clouds above

    and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

29 when he gave the sea its boundary

    so the waters would not overstep his command,

and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

30     Then I was constantly[e] at his side.

I was filled with delight day after day,

    rejoicing always in his presence,

31 rejoicing in his whole world

    and delighting in mankind.

 

32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;

    blessed are those who keep my ways.

33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;

    do not disregard it.

34 Blessed are those who listen to me,

    watching daily at my doors,

    waiting at my doorway.

35 For those who find me find life

    and receive favor from the Lord.

36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;

Prayer points

 

1.       Reset us to the beginning with his spirit  – God is not in our time frame

 

2.       God to pour out his spirit.

 

3.       The third person – in the fire (protection)

 

4.       Wisdom