Standing Firm

[serotta]

Isn'y the whole idea that if we trust in Him, the doing comes naturally?

If you trust Him enough to OBEY, than I would agree. That seems to be "the circle of life" if I can borrow from "The Lion King". First comes faith, which is evidenced by our trust which is evidenced by our works which causes our increased faith...

The same thing goes for prayer. What is it, 1 Jn 3:21? If we are in His will AND obeying His commands, anything we ask for will be given.

So back to the OP, if you are living within God's Will and obeying His commands then you can be confident that no matter what arises, God will give you the strength to continue to stand firm.

[Christ's Free Servant]

First Corinthians 10:12 says... " So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

If I'm standing firm now because I just got through a crisis or tradegedy...

How do I remain firm and standing before the next storm, crisis, tradgedy arises?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I believe the context of the above passage has to do with feeling as though you are strong enough to handle something only to find out you were not that strong afterall. The key is humility and realizing your own humanity and ability to sin again. Even if you have had a major victory in your life, don't feel as though you can not be tempted in that area again. Realize your dependency on Jesus Christ for everything in life, including the ability to stand firm. People mess up because they think they can handle situations only to learn how truly human they really are. Don't ever feel as though you have conquered something to the point to where it could not get you again. As soon as you think you are standing firm, that is when the devil will find a back door to show you how weak you really are.

Now, concerning standing firm before the next storm, crisis, tragedy arises - be in God's word every day. Put on the armor of God daily. Deny self. Take up your cross daily and follow him. Obey everything he shows you. Watch for attacks from the enemy - be on guard. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Check out everything in your life against God's word. What are you taking into your mind? In what ways are you giving in to Satan and the flesh and are not putting on the armor of God? Begin putting off those sins of the flesh and put on Christ - be clothed with Christ. No one would put clean clothes over dirty ones. You have to take the dirty ones off first. We often fail in crisis because we are not watching, we don't have on the armor of God, and we are taking things of this world into our minds or are giving in to the flesh regularly, so we provide those holes in our armor for Satan to attack. Ask God to show you the holes and let him plug them up with his grace. And obey God in everything he shows you. And, watch and pray every day.

[Orr v'emet]

Ray,

Your questions reminded me of one of my favorite stories in the bible. It's found in Matthew 14:25-31:

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.  But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."  "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."  "Come," he said.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"  Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

The keys to standing firm through the crisis' and tragedies of life are found here in these passages. Peter wanted to meet Jesus on the water so Jesus called to him. As he took his first steps out of the boat he took his eyes off the Savior and began looking at the the winds. In his moment of panic, he cried out to Jesus to save him. If we keep our eyes on Jesus and place our faith in him we won't sink. Even though the winds howl around us and the storms become severe if we keep our faith in Jesus, he will help us to stand firm.

Another one of my favorite verses says: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6.)

In this verse we find instruction for our lives not only when crisis comes but in each and every step we take every day. The instruction is 1) Trust in the Lord with your entire being; 2) don't rely on your own understanding (His ways are higher than ours) and 3) seek God's will. His promise if we do those things? He will direct your path.