Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. —1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4
He preached it all over, to Jews and Gentiles.
We received it just as they did.
And we take our stand for Jesus.
Asking Him to guide us over the threshold.
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. — Psalm 1:1-2
This year we'll have some new faces around our table.
As we welcome some friends of our family.
And friends of friends.
We are thankful for the blessings we've been given.
And for the law of the Lord.
Help me to meditate on it day and night.
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
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.
I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. — Job 19:25
Even so, He was confident in his faith.
And he was confident in his God.
He had faith that his redeemer lives.
And that in the end He will stand on the earth.
And that one day he would see God.
I have that confidence too.
These flowers are called yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
They remind me that God was here before I was born.
And He will reign today and forever.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. — Ephesians 6:10-11
When I remember to put on the full armor of God, He equips me to face those challenges.
The full armor of God includes the shoes of the gospel of peace.
Giving me the ability to move nimbly to promote God's deep peace, even in the midst of anxiety.
Letting me help others find peace, too.
Last month we were in Iowa for the funeral of Roger Jones.
Two weeks ago his brother Shelby passed away.
We had a chance to meet Shelby's daughter Susan and her husband and our hearts go out to them.
God's deep peace passes our understanding and covers us, even in the midst of death and sorrow.
God's mightdy power equips me to stand strong again any schemes Satan might throw my way.
Thank you, Lord!
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. — 1 Corinthians 15:1, 3, 4
The gospel of Jesus Christ.
And to listen to God's word when it's preached to us.
We have received and accepted His word.
And we know it is true.
We have taken our stand on that fact.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 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. — Ephesians 6:12-13
It's not our home, thank goodness.
We don't struggle agains humankind but again the spiritual forces of evil.
God has let the evil powers run rampant in our world today.
But we know the end of the story.
And He reigns supreme over earth and heaven and all creation.
When I remember to put on the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation, I am protected from the evil around me.
When I put on the shoes of the gospel of peace, I'm able to stand against it all.
And the full armor of God protects me but also helps me stand.
The Sword of the Spirit gives me the protection of God's Word to guide and direct my life.
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth. — Job 19:25
I'm reading a chronological study Bible, and the commentary on the speeches by Job's friends has explained that they relied on the wisdom teachings of the time rather than on God's Word.
Today many of my coworkers often rely on the teachings of yoga, philosophers, and hindu teachings rather than on God's Word.
I also have coworkers who are strong Christians who pray with me and who I can pray for.
And even my non-Christian coworkers often let me pray for them when they are going through tough times.
God places us where He can use us to accomplish His will.
And He gives us friends and family members to support us and uphold us in our walk with Him.
Today was Kirk's mom's birthday, and we miss her very much.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. — Ephesians 6:10-11
And the helmet of salvation.
And the belt of truth.
Plus the sword of the Spirit.
And the shoes of the Gospel of peace.
Take up the shield of faith.
Put on the full armor of God to protect yourself and your household.
So we can take our stand against the devil and his schemes.
Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. — Ephesians 6:11
The shoes of the Gospel of Peace,
The helmet of salvation,
The sword of the Spirit — the one offensive weapon,
Which is God's Word.
When we put on the armor of God, he gives us the protection we need to take our stand against the devil's schemes.
He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. — Micah 5:4
He watches over us and cares for us.
He never sleeps - He sees everything we do.
And He is near to guide us through the rocky places
And to carry us over the ravines and streams.
All the while He gives us just what we need
And much more.
We work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm. — 1 Corinthians 1:24
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
