GOD CALLS US TO BE STEADFAST IN A TURBULENT WORLD

Each and every day it seems like the World becomes more Turbulent and Uncertain. As a Follower Of Christ, I realize that this has always been the case from the time mankind first tasted the forbidden fruit in the Garden. Created by God in His Image, mankind was established to live in perfect relationship with our Creator. Life was to exist in Perfect Relationship And Purpose….and then, Sin and Irresponsibility took all the perfection AWAY ! As one looks back on the journey of mankind throughout history, it seems very apparent that turbulence, chaos, and a hunger for Power and Authority have always been the Story. The elevation of Self, Self Interest and Self Adulation have drawn us through Centuries of Change and Unrest. The narcissistic World View has always found its place in the Rejection Of God, providing us with endless battles, endless disagreements, and endless hatred that Always end in WAR. Nation versus Nation, Ethnic Group versus Ethnic Group, Religion versus Religion….it definitely can feel overwhelming and So Sorrowful; but TAKE HEART, Jesus sees it all, has experienced it all, and yet HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD ! God has watched us from the very beginning. Through it all, HIS LOVE FOR US HAS REMAINED STEADFAST ! His love is So Great, that He willingly gave His Only Son up to death on a Cross, so that WE MIGHT BE FORGIVEN OF OUR SINS. Jesus came for All Mankind…an incredible mission of Redemption and Grace. His love for us Was and IS ENDLESS, for after dying on that Cross, HE WAS RESURRECTED TO LIFE; Ruling in Heaven at the Right Hand Of The Father. This Gift Of Life Is FREE To ALL who would accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord; dying to self and Abiding In Jesus Himself. It is HEART CHANGE that allows surrender of one’s will to the Authority and Guidance of God The Father, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit. Being saved is truly a great thing, but I would challenge Every Believer to Strive For More ! Is Belief worth much if we don’t LIVE according to its precepts and standards ? If we Follow Christ, HE CALLS US TO BE DIFFERENT THAN THE WORLD. HE CALLS US TO REMAIN STEADFAST IN HIM AND HIS LOVE FOR US !

THEREFORE MY BELOVED BROTHERS, BE STEADFAST, IMMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD, KNOWING THAT IN THE LORD YOUR WORK IS NOT IN VAIN. 1 Corinthians 15:58

BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO REMAINS STEADFAST UNDER TRIAL, FOR WHEN HE HAS STOOD THE TEST HE WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE, WHICH GOD HAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM. James 1:12

I HAVE SAID THESE THINGS TO YOU, THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. IN THE WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION, BUT TAKE HEART; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. John 16:33

What exactly is being Steadfast In God ? I would describe it as a calm and enduring TRUST IN GOD, regardless of Circumstances and Challenges. Steady and Unmoved from the Foundation of God and His Truth ! Watching all the chaos around you and feeling GROUNDED. It takes Work and Faith to avoid Fear and Anxiety ! GOD continually tells us DO NOT BE AFRAID :) I believe that one of the KEYS to being Steadfast is to SPEND OUR TIME WELL ! Do not get caught up in the news and distractions of the culture and media. There is a continuous Flow Of Opinion and False Conclusions that allow doubt and Fear to worm their way into our minds. I find that when I focus on God’s Word and Prayer, I FIND PEACE AND REST. Fellowship with other Steadfast Believers is a great place to find Perspective in a Godly Environment. Jesus spent His time on Earth helping people SEE GOD AND HIS TRUTHS; Jesus wasn’t sitting at the local coffee shop or bar talking about the latest Gossip on Roman Culture or Societal Foolishness. Jesus was STEADFAST in moving those He encountered to CHANGE ! He was SHOWING THEM THE TRUE KINGDOM OF GOD WAS IN THEIR MIDST ! I know that I personally have a lot of work to do on managing my Time. What Christ wants from us is EFFORT AND REPENTANCE. A changing of our old habits and behaviors into HIS WAYS OF LIVING, FOCUSED ON RIGHTEOUSNESS ! How Satan laughs at us when we forget that GOD WILL HAVE THE LAST SAY ! Satan shouldn’t be underestimated or ignored. He has control of the world and it’s evil and darkness for a time, but HE HAS NO POWER OVER WE WHO FOLLOW CHRIST ! IS YOUR TRUST TRULY IN GOD…OR IS IT IN YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING OR WORLDLY POWERS ? DO NOT BE DECEIVED !

COUNT IT ALL JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS OF VARIOUS KINDS, FOR YOU KNOW THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES STEADFASTNESS. AND LET STEADFASTNESS HAVE ITS FULL EFFECT, THAT YOU MAY BE PERFECT AND COMPLETE , LACKING IN NOTHING. James 1: 2-4

FOR THOUGH I AM ABSENT IN BODY, YET I AM WITH YOU IN SPIRIT, REJOICING TO SEE YOUR GOOD ORDER AND THE FIRMNESS OF YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST. Colossians 2:5

The Apostle Paul spent his time encouraging and striving to make all of the people he had shared the Gospel with STEADFAST IN CHRIST; STEADFAST IN THEIR BELIEF AND FAITH ! Will we spend our time with those around us in the same manner ? Are we Warriors for Christ and The Gospel, or are we caught up in the whirlwind of World Chaos. The Fires burn everywhere in the world today…and they always have. WHERE WILL YOU PUT YOUR TIME,FAITH AND TRUST. ? MAY IT BE IN CHRIST ! STAY STEADFAST IN HIM/JAA

HAVE I NOT COMMANDED YOU ? BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS . DO NOT BE FRIGHTENED AND DO NOT BE DISMAYED, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO, Joshua 1L9