Stand Fast in Christ

2 Thessalonians 2:15

In Paul’s writing to the Thessalonian believers he provides instructions concerning the day of the Lord from different aspects on how to live and what to expect when Christ returns. In verse 3, Paul warns the Thessalonian believers when the time would come when there would be a great falling away as he encourages them to refrain from being deceived by “the son of perdition”—the antichrist. The great falling away means that many will depart from the church and or profess any connections with the church because of deception. There will be both moral and theological apostasy during those days.

Therefore, in verses 13-17 Paul outlines his encouragements to the Thessalonian believers in their stand for Christ as only God and His righteousness will last. It is important for all believers both then and now to remember we have victory in Christ as this was won on Calvary’s cross. Revelation 19:19-21 records the events of the war where Christ will defeat the antichrist and all the ungodly as this war will end quickly with the antichrist’s destruction.

How must believers to stand fast in Christ when sin is raging? Believes have the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide aid and protect all who yield to Him in faith from Satan’s demonic tactics. The believer’s prayer life is vital on this Christian journey as believers are engaged in a spiritual warfare as all believers are to put on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Stand for Christ---victory is assured.

Author’s contact:
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
williewhite8613@sbcglobal.net
www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com

Prayer

Nehemiah 1:4; 2:4

For my weekly discussion I felt the need to talk about prayer and the power of prayer. This is due in part to the prayer group (The Association of Christian Teachers) led by Sister Yvonne Anderson out of Georgia that the Lord led me to. During our prayer sessions our country, schools, teachers, children and leaders in this country and the entire world is lifted up in prayer. I feel God's blessings moving in that direction. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer because I have many personal testimonies of God answering my prayer. I am very fond of II Chronicles 7:14 because it talks about the promises God made and if His people would humble themselves and pray what He will do. I am a living witness God never fails or failed to keep His promise.

Throughout the Bible and the history of the nation of Israel we see the power of prayer. When prayer warriors went into prayer, then God moved with answered prayers. Our scripture text is an example of God moving as the outcome of prayer. Nehemiah was a righteous man and sought the Lord in prayer before undertaking the task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. The result of Nehemiah's prayer was God moved with favor on the task given to Nehemiah. God will do the same today for you and I. Jesus prayed so did King David and Solomon. Solomon prayed for wisdom, what happened God answered with much wisdom.

What is prayer? Prayer is communicating with God, simply talking to God asking Him for what you want or saying what is on your mind. God knows before hand, but He wants His children to come to Him in honesty and sincerity. God promised to hear and answer your request.

It can be concluded that sincere prayers are powerful weapons against Satan and his attacks on all humanity. Pray! Pray! Pray!

Obeying God

Obeying God

Humility

II Chronicles 7:14-15

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place (KJV).

Today’s discussion is humility and what God is asking His people to do and what He will do in return. First, God want His people to humble themselves, which is to recognize who God is and His awesome powers, as He has the power to save, destroy and or punish sin. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah and how Israel was punished with seventy years of captivity because of their sins. The same can and will occur if repentance does not take place. Second, God want His people to pray. God promised that where two or three is gathered in His name He would be in the midst. God is faithful to His promises. Also, the prayers of the righteous availeth much. Third, seek God’s face in all that we do as it should be done to His glory; then there should be a turning away from wickedness to a life of righteous living. Another thought on seeking God’s face is to align our wills with that of God. It is God’s will that His people enjoy a harmonious relationship with Him and all the blessing that He has to give.

God promised that He would hear, forgive and heal the land. What this means is that God will turn away His anger and hear the desperate cries of His people and then He will attend to those prayers. God in His compassionate way will begin to heal the land, because He would have forgiven them of their sin. In the forgiving process there will be a cleansing as sin and wickedness will be replaced with righteous living. Imagine the glorious revival there would be if some sin and wayward living as we know them today is replaced with holy living and obeying the moral standards of God.

Let’s pray, Father God, breathe on this nation, and strike down any and all unrighteousness where ever it may be. Cover our children with Your spirit as they return to school, let them be on good behavior. Touch the teachers and all who are affiliated and come in contact with our children let Your spirit rule. Then touch leaders in every position, let them lead as guided by Your spirit. Then touch the hearts and minds of every person that they may turn to You and live according to Your standards. In Jesus name Amen.

Comments are welcome.

Author’s contact:
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com.

Sodom and Gomorrah

The last two weeks I have talked about faith and trust respectively, but they were written so that everyone could take a personal look at ones faith and trust, and then take a panoramic view of today society.

After taking a panoramic view of today’s society these questions came to mind, are we a Christian nation whose trust in God is being tested? Is our faith/belief being shaken to its very core? Is America becoming the modern day Sodom and Gomorrah? Prayerfully no!

Why these questions you may ask well, sin of every kind is rampant, murder and mayhem is everywhere, homosexuality has made its way into high places; it too is a sin. Many are using their bodies as walking advertisements for Satan and his demonic messages (Romans 1:24-32). There is a debate regarding the “Pledge of Allegiance,” where it talks about “One Nation Under God.” There a move to remove “In God We Trust” from our currency as well as the push to remove the Ten Commandments from many of our court house buildings/entrances. The Ten Commandments are the foundations for society’s laws.

With that being said, this question comes to mind, weren’t this country founded on godly principles believing there is a God who created, sustains and will punish all manner of sin in His own time. Just as God punished Sodom and Gomorrah He will punish America. Sodom and Gomorrah have become the symbols for wickedness and destruction. Let’s not wear the symbol of wickedness.

Join me in prayer for the well-being of this country. Prayer changes things.

Next week’s topic is humility.
Comments are welcome.
Author’s contact:
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com

Trusting God

Isaiah 26:4

Today’s discussion is trust, which is defined as confidence, or placing assurance in someone or something. With that being said, we place out trust in many things through the course of our daily routines and during the course of our lives. We trust the food we eat, the water we drink, the car we drive and we have confident that we will be awaken each morning from a night’s sleep.

We have the assurances of God’s grace, love and mercy that He will grant us a long life well into our 60’s, 70’s 80’s and even 90’s, but when trouble come, how well do we trust God? Do we cast all our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7)? Do we say like David in Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod, thy staff they comfort me.”

Trust God He is trustworthy!

www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com.

Faith Testers

Hebrews 11
What do you do when your faith is tested? This discussion question is best answered by how well the person who is facing his or her challenge trust God and his or her relationship with God. Do we draw closer to God or turn from Him and ask why me?

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews provides examples of heroes whose faith was tested by God and their actions speak to how one must react to challenges when our faith is tested.

In my humble opinion faith testers/challenges are designed to give each of us personal knowledge of God and His deliverance. It is one thing to know of God quite another to know Him personally--with each deliverance there is a personal testimony.

God is still testing and He is still delivering.

Comments are welcome.

www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com