Be Strong by Pastor
John Fredericksen
There was once a young man who stood
in the shadow of a great leader. When that leader passed away, it fell to his
young apprentice to pick up the reins of leadership. As he did so, he faced his
circumstances with a certain amount of understandable doubts and fears. Then
someone encouraged him, telling him to be strong and exhibit courage, because
God would enable him. The leader was Moses, his apprentice was Joshua, and the
encourager was the Lord Himself (Joshua 1:1-9).
God likewise challenges believers in
the dispensation of grace to be strong. Paul told grace believers to “…quit you
[or act manly] like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians
16:13) and to “…be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might” Ephesians6:10).
We must not cower in fear nor surrender to Satan who is waging spiritual
warfare against us. We must be strong!
We can do so by remembering God’s
power is available to us. Paul prayed
the saints would comprehend “…the exceeding greatness of His power [is available]
to us-ward who believe” Ephesians 1:19). The Lord offers us His power, and
wants us to have it. Believe it! God’s power is accessed “by His Spirit in
the inner man” Ephesians3:16). We can never triumph over Satan in our own
strength, but we can when we allow God’s power to flow in our lives in our
inner man. Nourish your inner “new man” in Christ!
Our inner man is empowered by
equipping ourselves with “the whole armour of God” Ephesians6:11). This can be summarized by choosing to have
a consistent daily walk in truthfulness and righteous behavior as our standard
(v. 14), being always prepared to give the gospel (v. 15), protecting our minds
through faith in God’s Word (v. 16), living in the confidence of our eternal
victory (v. 17a), using the Scriptures to slice through Satan’s lies (v. 17b),
and being constant in prayer (v. 18). Be vigilant in clothing yourself with
apparel that enables you to have victory in your daily life!
Paul’s admonition is “…and having
done all to stand, stand therefore…” Ephesians6:13-14). Have you done all
you need to do to stand victorious today? Are you remembering God’s
power is available to you? Have you been spiritually strengthening your inner
man? Will you consistently equip your soul with the whole armour of God? Be
strong believer! God will enable you if you look to Him for His power to
overcome whatever you do.
How
God Saves Men
Believing
Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing
Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read
Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
(A 10 Minute Video)
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