stand

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I can’t believe I’m doing this! I must be crazy!? I am just a semi-retired counselor and a mom and a worship leader and older and … who am I? My family says, “Just a little bit crazy!” (pun intended, but it’s true, that’s what they are saying). Why am I so compelled to go out there and do this? To take these songs I have written out on the road and share them? In one sense it’s frightening. In another sense, exhilarating. I liken it to when I did my first triathalon. Once I finished it, the sense of accomplishment was so overwhelming in a good way. At that moment I felt like there wasn’t anything I couldn’t do, if I put my mind to it and God’s will is in it. I am a child of God and I love Him. I want to BE His will in my life. I find my salvation in Christ alone. This is what my blog ministry stands for: “No Longer Opposed”.

Paul said these words to Timothy as he started his ministry and it is this scripture that I will cling to as I am now embarking on this journey with my official Where I Am Tour. I am compelled to follow God’s will in my life for everything He has done for me, including creating me for His good pleasure. I would rather fear Him due to His awesomeness and greatness than to ever look around me and fear what others may think of me. I am on earth for God’s purposes, not my own. Please pray for me to keep this front and center and pray for me while I am on the road ’til I return home.

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” (2 Timothy 1:6-14 ESV)

God has entrusted a calling to my heart. I don’t know why He has chosen me to go forward with this, in my fear of facing the giant world out there I say, “Lord, I am too small!” but I know he has equipped me. Therefore I say, “here I am God, send me!” I somehow find His favor by His grace… “Thank you, Jesus, for this opportunity to serve you and your kingdom. I know you go with me…before me, behind me and beside me. The battle is Yours and I will stand. I will be strong and courageous because Your Spirit lives in me and makes me strong and courageous. I will share the hope that is within me with others. May Your love abound more and more in my heart, so that I will learn to love your people the way You love them.” Amen

The Great Adventure has begun! I am so excited to see what God will have in store for me. I will be traveling for nearly 6 weeks without my family, but will be seeing many friends and extended family along the journey! Please, if you think of me, pray for my safety and for God to do His will through me at every stop I make! See you on the the road! And if I don’t see you, be sure to pick up the new CD “Where I Am” through my store here on the website and be refreshed and inspired!

Love and blessings!

~Jen

 

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I think standing is underrated and definitely taken for granted. I probably wouldn’t have said this if I weren’t having such difficulty with joint pain lately in my hips. After a few days of this pain I would rather sit, or complain and cry. I think of those who wish they even had two feet or or two legs to even stand on. I’ve got it good. Really. Makes my pain seem so minor in perspective.

There are a lot of verses I can think of to support standing. Not necessarily just a physical standing position. What I like about it though is that whether I am seated or standing, I can still stand no matter what my situation. The key is, to not ever stand against myself. “A house divided against itself can’t stand.” (Mark 3:25) “Stand” or the Greek word ‘histemi’ literally or figuratively can mean to abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stand (by, forth, still, up). It is an upright and active position (not passive or lying down). A house in this scripture can mean literally a house or even a family. How many families do you know have been torn apart if they have been divided one member against the other?

So, how do you keep from being a house divided? How do you personally keep yourself true to your doctrine that you follow in life so that it matches up with the word of God? Because the moment you step away from what you know to be true in God’s word and start following another path is the moment you begin to be divided against yourself and I promise you, you will not be able to stand, and you will suffer greatly the natural consequences.

Further, in Mark 3:27 Jesus says that no one can enter a strong man’s house and take everything he has unless he first binds the strong man. In this particular passage Christ has been talking about Satan as the Pharisees were accusing Jesus of being possessed of Beelzebul. Jesus is teaching them that no one can enter a house and steal whatever they want unless the person watching guard is some how tied up. Jesus knows it is Satan who binds the strong man and robs him of what he has. Have you allowed Satan to have a foothold and bind you or a member of your family, a spouse, a child, to destroy you or the family unit? If you were alert and watching over the affairs of your home all the time, you would be ready for a thief. But Satan is a liar and a deceiver of the light, so his deception will be very subtle. You will barely recognize it.

The way to “do battle” is to take an alert posture and be active to stand along with putting on the full armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-18, ESV reminds us:

1. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.

2. It is not flesh and blood that we wrestle against, but against rulers, authorities and against cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

3. Take up the full armor so you may be able to withstand (stand against or stand opposed) in the evil day.

4. And after having done all, to stand firm. (Go to this scripture right now and remind yourself of all the armor you will need to stand).

STAND, STAND STAND – don’t let the enemy of your soul have his way in your life or in the life of the ones you love! You don’t have to fight the battle… You have to stand! God says the battle is His, not ours and He has already won the battle for us!

Divine-InspirationComic by Willem Samuel