Conduct Yourselves in a Manner Worthy of the Gospel

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.  — Philippians 1:27

Paul continues in his letter,  asking us to live a life worth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Then he will know that we are able to stand firm in the Holy Spirit.

And we'll be able to work together.

Not arguing or trying to go our own way.

Striving as one, with one purpose, for the faith of the gospel.

Be Alert

Be alert and of sober mind. 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 the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. — 1 Peter 1:8-9 

Last night we had about 50 children stop by our house for Halloween.

That was the most we've ever had.

We think we may have had more than usual just because everyone is ready to get out of the house and start hanging out together.

Kirk lit our firepit and turned on the patio lights.

He put plastic pumpkins in our wall and our welcome Autumn Scarecrow in front of our gate.

The first group included twenty children from about two years old to ten.

Here's how the sky looked just as the sun was setting.

A fun evening.

Today we welcome November.

And we are reminded that our enemy the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour.

God calls us to stand firm in the faith and to resist temptation.

We know that the family of believers around the world is undergoing trials much greater than ours.

And we pray for God's protection over them.

This Is the Gospel That You Heard

If you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. — Colossians 1:23 

We strive to continue in the faith, established and firm.

Moving toward faith in Jesus.

And to the hope held out in the gospel.

This is the Gospel of Christ that we have heard.

His gospel has been proclaimed to every creature on earth and under heaven.

These are the Easter tulips our friends brought to decorate our dinner table.

We were blessed with lots of bouquets.

He is risen!

Stand Firm in Your Fath

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. — Isaiah 6:7

Friday I had an appointment with my oncologist.

She mentioned that my cancer is either in remission or completely cured!

I don't need to make see her again for a whole year.

What a huge relief and a blessing.

Working With You

 We work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm. — 1 Corinthians 1:24

God gives us great joy.

Even in sorrow, His joy overcomes our tears.

You can see the joy of Jesus reflected in our faces.

We work with other Christians for God, giving Him the glory.

We stand on His promises.

And God gives us the strength to stand firm.

God Has Anointed Us

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts, — 1 Corinthians 1:21-22

God anointed us.

He set his seal of ownership on us.

He put his Spirit in our hearts.

God makes us stand firm in Christ.

And we are blessed that he has given us each other to be a family.

Beloved Brothers and Sisters

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. — 1 Corinthians 15:58

Paul calls us beloved.

And his brothers and sisters.

He wrote this letter to encourage us in the Lord.

And to admonish us to do better.

To get to know God.

And to always excel in His work.

Knowing that we do not labor in vain.

Working for the Lord is what God calls us to do. 

Today one of my coworkers celebrated a milestone birthday.

So I made a banner and we filled her office with balloons and leis.

She was so thrilled, she stopped by to thank us and then sent an email.

God calls us to encourage and uplift each other.

So glad she felt that we did.

Wrestling in Prayer

A servant of Christ Jesus sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. — Colossians 4:12

What a picture that image paints:

Someone wrestling in prayer for us.

What a comfort and source of strength to know that someone is praying for me to stand firm.

And not only praying, but wrestling with that prayer.

To help me stay in the will of God.

To help me become mature and complete in the Lord.

I would like to be a prayer warrior like this, too.

To help someone else stand firm in the will of God through my prayers for them.

My Brothers and Sisters

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! — Philippians 4:1

Last evening we worshiped outside in our church courtyard.

A couple of people had not seen my curly hair.

One didn't recognize me.

She wondered who that lady was sitting way too close to Kirk.

She expected one of our ushers to come let me know we needed to space out.

Then she realized it was me!

Another friend came up to me afterward and asked how I like the curls I have now.

Of course, I had to laugh.

Any hair is better than no hair! I replied.

But actually, the curls are nice, too.

In the 80s I briefly got a perm to add to curl to my hair.

Now it's natural.

I think God has a sense of humor.

Present in Spirit

I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. — Colossians 2:4-5

La Jolla Shores Beach

Paul is warning the people in Colossae to beware of fine-sounding arguments.

As a new Christian, I was often swayed or confused by elaborate arguments.

As I grew in my faith, I became more confident of my beliefs.

I became more familiar with what God's Word actually said.

As I read more Scripture, I learned that God's Word is true for all time.

Now I see His hand in everything I do and in all the circumstances I'm in.

He guides me each day.

The Lord Upholds Me

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. — Psalm 37:23-24

This Psalm of David puts it so well: The Lord makes my steps firm.

I delight in God.

Even when I stumble, God holds me upright.

He does not let me fall.

He upholds me with His hand.

And he provides friends and family to hold me up, too.

He has held me up during this season of my cancer.

He has given me strength to move forward and not give up.

When I wasn't sure of the way, God kept me on the right path.

And even now, when I hesitate, He prods me on.

Be Patient

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm. — James 5:7-8

Saturday we went to dinner to celebrate Abby's birthday with friends and family.

Here's the view from the restaurant.

We timed it perfectly and even got to watch the beautiful sunset over the ocean.

God has blessed us with 22 years with our daughter.

We had a fun time celebrating and catching up over dinner.

It's not always easy to be patient, but God helps us learn how to be patient when we get anxious or worried. We are thankful.