Daily Bread_June 19, 2013

Title: How to Stand Firm in a Fallen World?

Text:

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

Observation:

The question posed in the title for the message today is a timely and pressing question. How do you stand when the winds of opposition and oppression are blowing so fiercely?

The Apostle Paul is a good one to look to when you are struggling to answer this question, and find relief for your weary soul. This is Paul's story.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (ESV)
⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
⁸ We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
¹⁰ always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
¹¹ For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
¹² So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Paul found that the answer was not in human strength, but in God's power, and in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Always remember, "the surpassing power belongs to God, and not to us".

1 Corinthians 15:10 (ESV)
¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful that we have an anchor that is strong and reliable that we can build our life upon. Lord, I thank that the surpassing power is in your hands, and not in mines; thank you that I am included in those you call, the beloved. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

"Learning to lean
Learning to lean,
I'm learning to lean on Jesus
Finding more power than I've ever dreamed
I'm learning to lean on Jesus." - - Heritage Singers

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/