I will. No matter how relentless and overwhelming the battle is…
I WILL
BE STRONG
in
THE LORD,
IN HIS
MIGHTY POWER!
In my personal battles, partly including on again off again, relentless physical infirmities, along with some recent new challenges, God has made clear I am to take this on boldly.
Awoke physically fragile, vulnerable to discouragement, feelings and temptation to almost cave in – in my weakness. In an instant, I was prompted within me, and spoke out, “NO!” to the almost caving moment. Then, ” I WILL! I WILL be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power.” I was stirred by the Spirit, and I CHOSE, I WILL. By the grace of God, He stirs a sinner’s heart and saves!
I know I am weak, and turning to that truth, resulted in the power and truth of God’s full counsel in His Word (that I have been blessed to be taught by, grown in, and strengthened more and more) that in weakness, God of my Salvation is the source of strength.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
THEREFORE, I WILL BOAST ALL THE MORE GLADLY ABOUT MY WEAKNESSES, SO THAT CHRIST’s POWER, CHRIST’s POWER, CHRIST’s POWER may REST ON ME!!!
2 Cor. 12:9
It was a new day. His mercies are NEW every morning to match and even supersede the circumstances of the day. From beginning to end.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
Lamentation 3:19-23
Notice the “I will wait on Him” – Whatever my LOT, God has taught me to say, “It is well with my soul” – so the song goes. Entering a new day with circumstances that can feel debilitating, yet God in His compassions, as we wait on Him in trust and His providential care, we see His great faithfulness.
I immediately knew this new day, I would turn from distractions. I would sing, pray, lean on the dependency of the scriptures to strengthen and receive perfect peace as I continually exercised keeping my mind stayed on Him.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Is. 26:3
Reflecting on this proclamation of BE STRONG IN THE LORD, that flew from my heart and out of my mouth, prompted my return to the once again study of the scriptures in Ephesians 6:10-24.
I WILL
STAND FIRM AGAINST THE SCHEMES OF THE DEVIL – with THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
I went through each piece of armor God has given to a soldier of Christ. I know the reality of the spiritual battle that wages war against God’s people. I also stand confident Jesus won this battle through the crucifixion and resurrection. We persevere in faith, knowing the victory is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.
I looked up and saw a message I had noted in my bible regarding the gospel of peace. “stand peacefully confident”. Referring to the “putting on the shoes of the gospel of peace” in Ephesians 6:15.
Through the gift of Salvation, I am at peace with God, therefore God is on my side! (Romans 5:6-10)
This is confident Divine support which allows me as a Believer to stand firm in what He has called me to. I am at peace with God, and He is my strength. (Rom 8:31, 37-39)
As I continued on in these Ephesian verses I noted words that jumped out at me.
Praying always. Which I do. But today, this day, this would be different. More intentional effort of less distraction, intentional amping up, confident-peaceful-rest. A rest that is associated with a focus on Jesus as the One Who has all matters in my life under His control.
Praying. Praying with supplication and perseverance. Praying specifically for the SAINTS. How I am compelled to pray more for my brothers and sisters near and far. Those I know, those I have never met. Especially in my calling as a wife, mother, “being watchful” in Ephesians 6:18. “watcher over the ways of my household” woman of God Proverbs 31, to pray for the saints right within my home, family. Watching over the ways in which to pray, specifically for every need, desire, and so on.
The desire of Apostle Paul’s heart:
“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Eph. 6:19
This request touched me! Apostle Paul was in prison during the time he wrote this epistle. In prison! He did not ask for prayer for his personal well-being or physical comfort in the imprisonment from which he wrote. His prayer was for BOLDNESS and FAITHFULNESS to proclaim the gospel-no matter the cost.
What a comfort, encouragement, and admonition to me! To us! How I was compelled to take my mind off infirmities, difficulties, weakness, and rest in this place where God is fully in charge and in control. How awesome that as this apostle faithfully took on this awful place, and didn’t wither away in fears, doubts, discouragement, or focus on self, but surrendered to God, and beauty poured forth! In love he persevered on full force, being used by GOD to write the very inspired word of GOD! God would have him write from this place, and the awesome knowing in my heart, that God would allow these Words to be passed on to generation after generation, and now personally to you and I, and our families-BEAUTY beyond description!
I am an ambassador of Christ called to proclaim the gospel, live it out in faith, from day to day, and in love to my nearest neighbors, first and foremost, to my husband, children, and mother-in-law in our home. My prayer needs to be this prayer ultimately… that no matter where I am placed, the condition of my health, or the very difficult circumstances, I want to live boldly in LOVE for God and others in faith that God is able to do above and beyond what we could imagine for His purposes and glory, as I share the gospel.
How beautiful to consider that each day – right where I am at, God is using me for His very important purposes and plan to be fulfilled from now to future generations. How beautiful to consider he is using every Believer in Christ, the body of Believers in each circumstance, to fulfill His kingdom purposes and plan.
Look how this chapter wraps up in such beauty and Godly heart’s desire.
“peace to the brethren and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in SINCERITY. AMEN!”
Eph. 6:23
By the end of this day, I was thanking God for all He had done. I actually marveled at all that was accomplished. The strength I was given to resist temptations. As I surrendered in my weakness, acknowledged I WOULD BE STRONG IN THE LORD, and walk moment by moment in these shoes of the GOSPEL OF PEACE! I had proclaimed the gospel to my sons in a variety of unexpected ways, cared for my home in a pace that was not “MY PACE” but slow, resting, steady pace according to God’s will, He had given me. This pace was a place of rest, not striving, and produced so very much. So much had been accomplished as Christ’s beautiful power rested upon me.
I value the gift of sharing our lives with one another. Humbly devoting ourselves to one another in brotherly love. I value we can share our struggles, weaknesses, and pray for each other as saints in Christ. I rejoice in our common communion of the fellowship of the saints and that we encourage one another, in the STRENGTH the LORD given to His people.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
2 Cor. 1:3-4
BE STRONG… IN THE LORD.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [b]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.”
Ephesians 6:10-24
