STANDING FOR GOD

Will God come to my rescue when I stand up for him?

Scriptures To Consider:
In some of my darkest and troubling moments during my journey, I have always held on to this scripture from Isaiah.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior...
Isaiah 43:2-3

Big T's Thought To Ponder:
I think that it is human nature to desire avoiding persecution at all costs; it goes completely against the grain of who we are as human beings to stand up against the crowd. It is just our nature to avoid being left out and shunned by the in-crowd, when we can take the path of least resistance and just go with the flow to avoid the pressures of not fitting in, or not being accepted.

Let's face it, we all desire acceptance, this is something that was build into our DNA and from the time we were born we had a need of acceptance. The reality is that we want to be accepted by our family, friends, peers, co-workers and any social grouping we may be involved.

We want to be liked! We hunger for the affection, respect and approval of others around us - at home, at church and at the workplace. Wherever we are, we require and have the desire for acceptance! No one enjoys being embarrassed, humiliated, ridiculed abandoned or persecuted by others, in fact we avoid this like the plague. Bottom line, we just want to go with the flow and fit in somewhere because we don't want to be alone or isolated from others.

Since Christ's ministry here on earth over two thousand years ago, human nature has remained unchanged. We have the same fears today as they had a couple thousand years ago, we have a natural fear of intimidation and persecution.

During the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth, people feared to speak about Jesus Christ openly for fear that they would not only be persecuted and considered an outcast, but could possibly be stoned and/or put to death. The Pharisees had threatened to take action against anyone speaking about Jesus Christ.

Probable the most well know examples of denying Jesus Christ was the disciple Peter. Peter had denied Jesus three times for fear of being exposed as an associate, a follower or a disciple of Jesus Christ. His fear of being ridiculed, persecuted, banished from the synagogues, or put to death for being found guilty by association.

True Christianity takes courage! In today's world things are so similar, we are still persecuted for being believers in Christ. In some countries today they are still slaying and putting people to death for being followers of Christ and living by His Word. Even through all the persecution and abandonment, His people, the Body of Christ are growing, standing united and strong in Him. I love the verse I stumbled upon this morning, it says: "We ought to obey God rather than men"!!!
Acts 5:29

Very important truths that should be considered:
(1). Our acceptance is found in Jesus Christ alone; not in the world and not through mankind. In the world we can find temporary acceptance if we can perform to mankind's fallen standards. In Jesus Christ we have eternal acceptance just for showing up and believing; we don't have to perform for our acceptance - we were created in His image and He considers us His Masterpieces!
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
(2). As believers, we don't have to be fearful of witnessing for Jesus Christ for we are not alone, we have been given the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Paul tells us "For God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind"
2 Timothy 1:7

As believers we need to understand that being indwelt by the Holy Spirit doesn't give us instantaneous courage, power and love. We grow in these Godly attributes by yielding to God through listening and abiding in Christ and following the instruction of our Guide and Helper, the Holy Spirit.

If we are going to fight the good fight we must be equipped with the most powerful weapon available to us, this is the Word of God! Knowing, understanding and internalizing the Scriptures allows us to be strong and courageous for Jesus Christ. There is nothing more powerful the the Truths and Promises of Jesus Christ and they prepare us for battle.

John tells us "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love". I am going to be praying for a greater understand and trying to get my head around this verse for a while! I guess John is trying to tell us that in some ways love and fear are enemies with each other and in total opposition. It would appear that Love's closest partner is confidence. When we are completely confident, we do not fear that we can do what is required of us. I guess my problem is that I have not perfected love, and so, I still have fear.
1 John 4:18

Our greatest instruction: "And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength." I think when this actually takes place in us, then and only then can our Love be made perfect, perfect in Christ!
Deuteronomy 6:5

God's Truths:
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11 (NAS)

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Proverbs 28:1

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
Psalm 34:17

We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will.
John 9:31

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:39 (NIV)

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.