Tag Archives: Ephesians 6:10-18

Be steadfast – stand firm

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Pushed against the wall, seemingly oppressed on every side, exhausted and yet we so often automatically look to what strategy we can employ to resolve the problem. But often the strategy that bests serves us is not to dive forward, not to launch a new attack in our own effort, but to remain steadfast and stand firm.

 

“Stand firm,” we are told, once we are fully protected by God’s armor (Ephesians 6:10+). “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong (1 Corinthian 16:13). “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).

 

What does it mean to remain steadfast in the middle of a battle? To be steadfast is to be a different kind of victor. Using dictionary terms a steadfast victor is loyal, faithful, dependable, steady, true, constant and trustworthy. S/he is determined, resolute, relentless, single-minded, unwavering, unhesitating, unfaltering, unyielding, and uncompromising.

 

This is our job, to have the courage to stand firm and remain steadfast in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds. Great courage is born out of great hope. And great hope is placed in a great, powerful, and faithful God.

 

“Be strong and of good courage. Do not fear or be afraid…for the Lord your God, He is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

 

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:18-21

 

 

Medical Update (May 2014) – fighting the battle

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Mostly good reports from this past week’s U of I visits:

Most blood counts continue within low normal range.

Low immune globulin but I am fighting infections well.

Excellent pulmonary functioning scores.

Can now wear short sleeves with sunscreen. Whoo hoo.

Received childhood vaccines for polio,Hep B, and H.influenza B.
(More to follow in coming visits.)

Bone density scan reveals osteopenia but not yet osteoporosis. (Adversely affected by chemo and prednisone treatments & age.)

Constant muscle/joint aches due to GVHD not RA.

Revisit in 6 weeks.

The interesting thing about the ongoing Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) skirmish is that all you can do is arm yourself with the protective ‘armor’ of medications, exercise, and rest. Then try to stand firm while the battle wars within. It is like the battle we each face daily against elements of the spiritual world. We cannot see the enemy, but we experience the blows. Our job each day is to put on the protective armor of God (Ephesians 6:10+) and to STAND firm. And when the fighting is over, to stand still.

Let’s be found standing firm, brothers and sisters, equipped with the belt of truth wrapped around us, the breastplate of righteousness, the boots of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, praying always in all situations. Our own strength is not sufficient. But God’s is.

Facing the enemy

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Walt Kelly’s Pogo cartoon was a favorite of mine when I was a teen. Often political and satire in nature, this strip about a possum living in Okefenoki Swamp, often hit on important life truths. This one features Pogo’s most famous quote, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” While the focus of this cartoon was environmental pollution, it speaks another truth to me. That is, when our minds consider the image of enemies, we might do well to look at ourselves first. Why?

We often are to blame for making up our enemies. We are so adept at categorizing people who look, think, talk, and act differently from us, we have this tendency to put a label on them and to regard their interests as opposed and threatening to ours. We put up defensive fences to keep them distant. In our minds they become ‘enemies.’ Quite the opposite, learning to understand each other helps us to learn from each other. It is a very small circle that includes only those who agree with you in every way. It seems to me we encounter enough real foes in life that we needn’t imagine more just because we find ourselves different from one another.

Another reason we become our own enemies is that we are so good at looking at what we see and then conjuring up irrational thoughts about it. Say the word very slowly and you find that “rationalize” sounds a lot like “rationale lies.” What rational lies have you told yourself over and over again. The truths in life often aren’t readily perceived by the eyes, but by the heart and mind. You have one image of yourself and likely, God has another. I think we are best off seeing ourselves as the one who created us sees us. Whenever you hear one of those negative inner voices, answer it with the promises of God over your life and your future. As the old saying goes, “When fear comes knocking, let faith answer the door.”

Another reason we become our own enemy is that we don’t dress properly. To go outside in this -25 degree weather without a coat and gloves would be asking for trouble. Likewise to go swimming with all your winter clothes on is just as dangerous. The bible tells us that when we strive against each other we are really facing a battle of spiritual forces. It tells us to “dress” properly each day with the spiritual armor of God: the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the boots of peace, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, and the helmet of salvation. If we don’t, our vulnerability is our own doing. And notice that the armor of God doesn’t come with any protection for your back, so don’t run from attacks from the enemy. Just make sure the enemy you face isn’t yourself.

Don’t Drop Your Weapons

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No right-minded soldier would drop their weapons in the middle of heated conflict. Neither should we in our pursuit of peace. It may sound strange to speak of weapons and peace together, but that is how it is described by Ken Sande, author of Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict.

Everyone encounters conflict in their life. Some of it is good to get differences of opinion and facts out in the open. However much of the time conflict becomes a destructive process because the wrong ‘weapons’ are used, like defensiveness, anger, self-justification, and gossip. Sande reminds us that scriptural ‘weapons’ are actually effective in real life. These include: scripture, prayer, truth, righteous (Ephesians 6:10-18), and the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). (Galatians 5:22-23)

These are the tools that help us pursue peace and conflict resolution. They help us to seek first to understand and then to be understood. They elevate the other person’s interest while making your principles and interest clear. They help us approach others with respect. Held firmly, not meekly, scriptural weapons defuse anger, resentment, jealousy, disrespect, and other emotions that incite further conflict and derail the resolution process. They are the same weapons Jesus used to defeat satan. We are well counseled to use them also.

What conflict are you facing? Take time to reflect on Romans 12:14-21 and become skilled at using the ‘weapons’ of peace so you can stand your ground as a peacemaker.

Path to Peace – Dress for “Success” – Part Two

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In yesterday’s discussion about one of the paths to peace we suggested a practical way to prepare yourself to pursue peace throughout the day is to visualize “putting on” the character you want to be known for, the character that nurtures peace in your life and those whose lives you touch.

The Bible says that those who believe that Jesus is indeed the Son of God and are committed to being fully devoted followers should have a certain sense of not being ‘at home’ here on earth. That is, we enjoy the blessings of this present time on earth. But we have to make a decision about where our real citizenship remains. If you are interested in a practical life application assessment of this, you might reflect on tough questions like:

  • Am I so comfortable in my current situation that I can’t bear the thought of moving somewhere else?
  • Could I be just as content living in a house half the cost of mine?
  • Do I enjoy spending time with my friends so much that I really don’t have time or much interest to share with other people?
  • How many non-Christian friends do I have?
  • Would I rather spend time learning about my favorite sports team than reading God’s Word?
  • Does the thought of spending an hour in prayer sound attractive, boring, or frightening?
  • What is the most important thing I have learned in life, and how am I applying this in my daily life?

As you put on each article of clothes today you can meditate specifically as you put on the:

  • belt of truth buckled around your waist
  • breastplate (shirt/undershirt) of righteousness
  • shield of (shirt/sweater/jacket) of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one
  • with your feet fitted with the (shoes of) readiness that comes from the gospel of peace
  • helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Prepare your mind to stay the course and your hands ready to fight against evil. Real power comes from the Word of God which is alive in you. You can’t have it without reading it, meditating on it, and applying it to you life.)

Getting dressed each morning by visualizing the armor of God, prepares you for the battles of the day, those that are seen and those of the mind and spirit which are unseen, but nonetheless very real. Stand firm and you really can experience peace in the middle of life’s most threatening storms.

Today marks 4 months of being cancer free. Thank you God for the immense mercy You have shown me every-single-day of this unexpected journey through Leukemia. Even on the toughest days of this ongoing battle, you have helped me to stand firm in your armor. And when I had no strength to fight, you, my One True God, fought for me, so I could be at peace even in the middle of the battle.

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:14-18