How Should We Live?
"Be on your guard;
stand firm in the faith;
be men of courage;
be strong." I Corinthians 16:13
How might we live differently if we KNEW Jesus would return today? Would we share our faith more boldly? Would we live without worry and fear?
If our sons and daughters are believers in Jesus, they are members of the Body of Christ, the Church, the Bride of Christ. We need to pray they will actively pursue their relationship with Jesus and live it out so others can see the fruit.
Today, let’s pray the Church lives purposefully (confident in our 'why') and intentionally (making it happen), ready to meet our Savior and actively sharing the hope that we have with those who don't know Him.
Pray that believers around the world are watchful and vigilant, that they will stand fast and persevere in their faith in Christ, pray they would be brave and be ever-strengthened in their faith and commitment to Jesus.
Despising a Vile Man
Psalm 15:1-4
Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;
and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,
who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts,
We live in a world of opposites, don’t we? What is right is often ridiculed as being wrong, antiquated or intolerant and what is actually wrong and sinful is celebrated and exalted as the standard to follow. Scripture tells us we should despise a vile man, yet this world will tell us that word is strong and should have no place in our lives. “Tolerance” is the word of the day.
So what exactly IS a vile man? A vile man is one who rejects or spurns the Lord. It is the opposite of one who accepts Jesus (1)
And what does it mean to despise? Strong’s defines this as holding in contempt, to disdain, not honor or admire (2) Consider a court of law. When someone speaks out against the judge or dishonors the trial process, they are held in contempt of court. “Contempt of court, also referred to simply as “contempt”, is the disobedience of an order of a court. It is also conduct tending to obstruct or interfere with the orderly administration of justice” (3). Someone who is in contempt is not honored or celebrated, they’re reprimanded. Yet, this world celebrates those in contempt of Christ- those who go against His rules of justice and righteousness.
But God tells us this:
We should hate sin and hate anything that is contrary to God, “To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” Proverbs 8:13
We are called to stand for the Lord, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13
We are called to defend our faith, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter3:15
We are strangers here and should be seen as in this world, but not of it, “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” John 17:14-16.
We need to live as we are called, and not embrace the sin around us, but be separate, “ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:15-17)
We can’t be followers of Christ and approving of, celebrating, excusing or tolerating things that go against God and His word. That’s being double-minded and will lead to instability in our faith (James 4:8).
And if we’re followers of Christ, we must stand by our commitment to Him, not waffle or wither when opposition comes (and it will) we must stand by our oath and be faithful to our commitment to God. (I Peter 1:6-7)
Finally, we need to honor those who fear the Lord. But we must be watchful and careful because there are many who claim to fear God, yet they use His word and His name to do ungodly things. Discretion must be at play here and we need to be cautious we’re not lifting up those who are doing sinful things and hiding behind their ego, their knowledge of Scripture and their ability to manipulate others. Friends, those would be considered vile men because they are not serving God, but themselves. Just because they are popular doesn’t mean they are Godly.
There is so much to ponder in Psalm 15:4. Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters despise anything that rejects or stands in opposition to God and His word. We’re not called to be tolerant of sin. We’re called to stand for Truth. Then, pray that our sons and daughters have discretion to know and discern who truly is a follower of Jesus and that they do not misplace honor that should not be given. Finally, pray that they would stand firm in their faith, not turning back on their commitment to God but keeping their conviction, even in the face of opposition, persecution and trial.
“Father God, Sovereign of the Universe, You chose us according to your foreknowledge for sanctification through the Holy Spirit for obedience to Jesus. Give (name) strength and conviction today to hold to that commitment to follow Christ. I pray that You would help (name) to be uncomfortable with sin. When something is wrong- contrary to Your word, I pray that (name) would turn away, not defend it and not celebrate it. Give them integrity to stand for Truth even in the face of opposition. Give (name) the ability to love others as Jesus loves, but disdain the sin and the rebellion that is present. I pray You would also give (name) discretion to know the difference between someone who simply spouts scripture versus someone who lives it out. Lord, help them to follow You, not people or preachers or teachers. Lord, we know this world will continue to worsen and sin will continue to corrupt. Satan’s time is short and he’s doing all he can to destroy. Lord, protect (name) from the enemy. Keep them from being influenced by sin and evil. Guard them in Your love and strength so they will stand in the day of salvation (1 Peter 1:3-9). I pray this all in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing, friends.
H3988 - mā'as - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3988/niv/wlc/0-1/
H959 - bāzâ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h959/niv/wlc/0-1/
Legal Information Institute. (n.d.). Contempt of court. Legal Information Institute. Retrieved June 12, 2022, from https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/contempt_of_court
Just Pray
1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong”
Oh how we want our sons and daughters to be strong and courageous- to be willing to stand for their faith in the face of opposition. Friends, the opposition is growing. The backlash against believers is strengthening. Are we ready? Better yet, are our sons and daughters prepared for what they might face?
We fiercely protected them as they were growing up, we must do the same as they spiritually grow, never waning in our commitment to cover them in prayer. Let’s pray a hedge of protection around them today.
Pray that they are wise and discerning.
Pray that they do not compromise.
Pray that they stand firm, confident and unwavering in their faith in Jesus, having confidence in the Truth.
Pray that they have courage to share the gospel and are strong and unwavering, not allowing the uncertainties of this world and the lies of the Enemy to affect them.
”Father, this world mocks You and anything connected to You. Help us as believers to stand firm. Help us to be in the Word, daily- not just reading, but studying and memorizing. Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. I pray that it would be a priority in our lives. Lord, I pray for (name) today, that they would have a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Help them to WANT to spend time studying Scripture. Open their eyes to see wonderful things in Your Word. I pray that You would help them grow in Godly wisdom and discernment so they would be protected from the deception that is so present and ever-increasing. Strengthen their resolve so they do not compromise their convictions and they will not sacrifice their faith on the altar of popularity or success. I pray that (name) would value their relationship with Jesus more than anything- give them an eternal perspective that outweighs anything that might tempt or lure them in this life. Give them courage to share the message of salvation with others, let Your light shine through them. May others see the joy, peace and be drawn to the cross through their testimony. Protect (name). Surround them with your power and protection so they can stand firm. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing
Stand Firm to the End
Stay True to the Faith
Matthew 24:12-13 “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Have you noticed how people seem to be growing more hostile toward God, toward the Bible and toward believers? Scripture says in the last days scoffers will come, mocking God’s promises and following their own evil desires (2 Peter 3:3)
It’s crucial that we pray for our sons’ and daughters’ protection and growth, but more than that. There is so much at stake. We are stepping into the Last Days and we see Jesus’ return ever-nearer; we must pray that our children stand true and hold fast. The world isn’t just indifferent toward God, it’s hostile. If we are believers and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, guess what...they’re going to be hostile to us as well. Friends, we are not just seeing ‘glimpses’ of this, but nearly weekly reports of hostility, aggression and hatred toward God, the church and the family of believers.
Recently, a large church was torn down in Ireland. The once-vibrant church, built to hold 3500 people, is no longer needed. Eventually, it will be replaced by a smaller building that holds 350 (1)(2). The comments following the news story were very telling…
“Good, now let’s get started on the rest of them.”
”They’ll just build another one, like Ireland needs any more churches… Wish they would spend the money they use for these places on actually trying to rebuild people’s [lives] that they have destroyed.”
“The truth must win in the end, unfortunately, the church has outgrown its use. It’s purpose is done.”
“Churches that size are not necessary any more.”
“...It’s built for 3500 parishioners. No way will the church ever recover to those numbers. Religion is dying. The majority of the nation won’t [care]. Good riddance.” (3)
Friends, back up and look at the big picture. This isn’t about denominations or doctrine. This is a much bigger picture that is representative of the hardened heart of man toward God. The hostility of these people toward church is strong. Their view that worship is unnecessary is clear. The indifference to the dwindling flock is another sign that this world is doing just what God said it would. Hearts are growing cold. People are less and less inclined to even consider God or their position in relation to Him. They have no thought for eternity. They are driven by their own evil desires, lusts and passions. They mock and rail against the Lord. ...And this is the world in which our sons and daughters are living... and in which they must decide to take a stand for Christ, no matter what may come.
“Father, I pray today for (name). Lord, this world is growing more hostile and we all will be tempted to protect ourselves from the onslaught of persecution. But Lord, you call us to lose our lives for You. Whether it be comfort, employment, friends, Lord, we know that we might have to let go of some things in order to lay hold of that which you’ve called us to- eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 says v 17 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” Lord, help (name) to put their hope in You and You alone.
V.18 “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” I pray that (name)’s words and actions would represent Christ well. Let them be salt and light in a world that is dark and decaying. Give them strength and boldness to to this. Yes, it will make them stand out as a believer and may bring persecution as a result, but it is what You call us to. Help (name) to do it well and for Your glory. We know the promise is sure v.19 “In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
Lord, I pray that (name) would choose to live for the life that is truly life. Let them live uncompromisingly for You. Give them boldness, strength and confidence that You will hold them securely. Don’t let them grow cold, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
1. News, R. T. E. (2020, February 6). Permission granted for demolition of Finglas Church. RTE.ie. Retrieved November 1, 2021, from https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2020/0206/1113615-finglas-church/.
2. Annunciation), (I. C. of, & Maps), (I. S. G. (2020, February 6). Demolition of iconic North Dublin Church gets final approval. DublinLive. Retrieved November 1, 2021, from https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/demolition-church-annunciation-finglas-gets-17701410.
3. Here Today Gone Tomorrow. Facebook. (n.d.). Retrieved November 1, 2021, from https://www.facebook.com/jimm1965/posts/1672502186474306.
Pray for the Persecuted
Psalm 140:12-13 I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. Surely the righteous will praise your name, and the upright will live in your presence.
Let’s not be so caught up in our own trials that we lose sight of what believers are facing around the world. Oppression and persecution are ramping up. Can we pray?
Pray that the Lord would secure justice for the poor and uphold the cause of the needy. Pray for those in need of religious freedom. Pray for those who are facing injustice because of their love of Christ. Pray that those believers who are facing persecution would stand firm. This life is fleeting- it’s as short-lived as the morning mist in the fields.. Eternity awaits. Our attitudes and decisions here matter. When faced with the choice of Jesus or this life….what will we choose? What will our sons and daughters choose? Will they have the conviction to stand with Christ?
“Surely, the righteous will praise your name and the upright will live in your presence.” What a promise!! What assurance that can encourage us to stand firm. Oppression and persecution here are hard…but there is promise of justice and deliverance!
Take some time today to pray for the persecuted Church and for our sons and daughters to stand with conviction, unwaveringly committed to following Christ, no matter the cost.
Pray without ceasing.
A Prayer of Rescue
Psalm 140:1-3 For the director of music. A psalm of David. Rescue me, LORD, from evildoers; protect me from the violent, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips.”
The prevalent worldview we see around us is anything but Biblical. The messaging we are continuously pounded with each day is antithetical to what God calls us to follow. Do we know enough Scripture to identify the truth from deception? Are our hearts sensitive to the Holy Spirit enough to be grieved by it?
Today’s values sound something like this:
Truth is relative- what is ‘right’ for you, may not be ‘right’ for me.
Don’t dare to impose your morality on others. There is no standard and there is no fear of God. In fact, god is relative and whatever you need ‘it’ to be.
It is arrogant and offensive to think there is only one God and one way to Heaven.
Science and technology have made us capable of accomplishing things that exceed our moral standards and sensibilities. We throw morality out for the sake of scientific advancement.
Human life has little to no value; existence and sustenance is determined and meted out according to usefulness, convenience, and freedom from ‘blemish’ according to society’s standard.
Friends, this world knows enough scripture to twist it and throw it back in our faces. Satan is a master at twisting scripture and using it to beat us down. It is deception and it is poison. It slowly wears us down, trying to make us indifferent or ashamed of standing for what is right. If we’re not on our guard, we will be trampled by the world around us. We risk drowning in the tsunami of evil and godlessness as it washes over us and swirls around us each day. If we don’t stand firm, we’ll surely be washed away.
Our hearts should be heavy and our parental ‘alarms’ should be sounding. We are in an age when we need to take a stand for what is right and just and true. What is wrong is being celebrated as right and what is Biblically right is defamed. On which side will our sons and daughters choose to stand? Will they defend the faith? Let’s get on our knees on their behalf. We need to pray that they will stand for the Lord, unwaveringly. We NEED to pray!!
“Rescue us Lord, from evildoers!! Protect us from the violent, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. Lord, the world seems to be on fire around us. Each day, we hear politicians and leaders, spouting words that tickle the ears and pump hearts full of poison. Event those who call themselves ‘believers’ are caving to compromise, refusing to stand for Truth lest they be berated, ridiculed and harassed. Lord, save us! Lord, stand with us and help us to stand firm. Let us grab hold of the Gospel of Truth and not let go, no matter what. Help us to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly. Give us ears, hearts and minds that can discern evil and rebuke it. Your word says “They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips.” Give us spiritual immunity against the poison of this age, Lord. Keep our sons and daughters walking with You. Lord, the time is short. Help us to live in such a way that we hear those blessed words “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” I Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Saturday Prayer Review
Prayer isn’t a ‘one and done’ event. We need to continually bring our praises, thank you’s, burdens and pleas to the Throne. God wants to have a constant communion with us, an open, honest, vulnerable conversation that allows Him into our deepest thoughts and concerns and builds a trust and understanding with Him. Today, review our prayer points for the week and lift them up to the Lord once again. Know that He hears and will answer in His perfect time.
Pray that each day God would guide our sons and daughters steps.
Pray that our sons and daughters, first and foremost, would commit their lives to Jesus Christ and trust Him as their Lord and Savior
that they live for Jesus and not for themselves.
that they would bear fruit that reflects His preeminence in their lives.
Pray that they keep in step with the Spirit- walking in the Way that He shows them, obeying what He calls them to do and honoring Him with their choices.
Pray for God’s protection over our sons and daughters.
Ask God to help them be discerning and to love His Truth.
Pray that the Lord would help them grow in wisdom and knowledge.
Pray that our sons and daughters would seek the Lord’s will for their life and follow the steps He’s planned for them.
Pray that our sons and daughters look to Jesus and follow after Him, walking as He did and measuring their steps to match His
Pray without ceasing.
Is it true or does it just ‘sound good’?
Proverbs 14:15 “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.”
The simple believe anything.
Have you ever heard someone say “…..And, if you believe that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I’d like to sell you!” That’s a phrase that’s been used over and over to point out someone’s gullible nature or to bring to attention that someone is perpetrating an obvious ‘con’. Yet, back in the early 1900’s, a man named George Parker actually convinced people he had the rights to sell the Brooklyn Bridge...and he did it over and over, convincing and conning money from so many people. These people lost their money and their pride and Mr. Parker got rich...and was arrested, many times, yet he continued to deceive people.
How could people be so gullible? It may seem obvious to us that this man’s scheme was a con, but he was so convincing that others didn’t ask questions, they just easily followed his story. They didn’t investigate, they simply followed along….and they paid the price.
Do we fall victim to spiritual cons? Do we allow ‘good stories’ and ‘promises of generous blessing’ to tickle our ears? Are we following a ‘Pied Piper’ who sounds good, yet lacks spiritual depth and Biblical truth?
Spiritual gullibility is a thing. Friends, there are believers who fall for anything that sounds good. It ‘tickles their ears’ but dulls their spiritual sensibilities. They find the Truth uncomfortable because it calls out their sin. Instead, they seek out teaching that soothes their conscience, satisfies their need for ‘importance’ or ‘recognition’ and gives them opportunity to ‘prove’ their spirituality through giving and works.
Satan is a deceiver and he is also a user of Scripture. He knows the Bible, friends, and he will use whatever schemes needed to pull us away from following Christ and aligning our beliefs with Scripture. He will convince us to compromise; he will lure us with temptations. He knows our weaknesses and leans on them with the most deceptive tactics. 1 Peter 5:8 says “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” He prowls...he lurks and conceals himself to convince us to let our defenses down.
But Christ is stronger; He’s already won the battle! We are called to stand firm and abide in Him. Colossians 3:2-3 “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” We are hidden with Christ in God. That’s a picture of spiritual protection and belonging that can shield us from falling prey to Satan’s schemes. But we have to abide. John 15: 4, 7-8 “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Then, we are called to know His Word, so that we can avoid sin, identify deception and run from temptation. Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Our alert and sober mind is only possible when we listen to and learn God’s word, memorizing it in our hearts and minds.
When we pursue Christ and remain in Him we gain wisdom and knowledge through His word. And by doing so, we infuse our hearts and minds with spiritual insight and discretion. Christ equips us to stand firm. Eph. 6:11 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.”
Today, let’s pray for God's protection over our sons and daughters. Let’s ask God to:
Help them to have great spiritual discernment.
Pray that their spirit is uneasy with unsound teaching and deceptive leadership and that they would run from it.
That they would love God’s Truth and commit to memorizing it and studying it.
And, finally, pray that the Lord would help them grow in wisdom and knowledge.
Pray without ceasing.
Schoenburg, D. P. E. (2018). The Brooklyn Bridge - "If you believe that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell to you". NYC Walks. https://nycwalks.com/blog/the-brooklyn-bridge-if-you-believe-that-i-have-a-bridge-in-brooklyn-to-sell-to-you/.
Pray it again!
God doesn’t tire of hearing our prayers. It’s important that we keep bringing our heart’s burdens to Him and lay them before Him. It’s not repetitive, it’s persistent, committed and trusting. We trust that He hears us and we are confident He will answer in His time and according to His will. Take time to review our prayer points from the week and pray them again.
Pray that our sons and daughters would be emboldened by the knowledge that our God is Sovereign, Almighty and always present with them. There is NO enemy that can overcome Him and no obstacle too great for Him to remove. Pray that they see God part the Sea for them and know that He will fight for them, they need only stand and be still.
Pray that our sons and daughters would cry out to God for help when things are difficult and they are ‘sinking’. Let Him be who they run to first and always.
Pray that in their crying to the Lord, they practice patience, understanding that He really does hear them and will answer.
Pray that they would have confidence that God would rescue them and give them a firm place to stand, no matter the crisis and no matter the time or day or night.
Pray that our sons and daughters know and claim Jesus’ victory over sin and death as their own. Pray that they stand firm and devote themselves to working for the Lord with all of their being.
Pray that our sons and daughters would: Be on their guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; and be strong
Let’s pray today that our sons and daughters are mindful of where and with whom they stand. Pray that they refuse to stand in the way that sinners take lest they find themselves on a road that leads away from the Lord.
Pray without ceasing.
Where are you standing?
Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,”
Have you ever been to a concert or sporting event? The crowd gathers outside, waiting for the venue to open. All around are people standing and waiting, pressing closer and jostling for position. When the moment comes and the doors open, the crowd starts moving-pushing, and, ready or not, you’re carried along with them. You couldn’t resist if you wanted to. The force of the group is too strong to push against and, like it or not, you’re headed in a direction that may, or may not be where you want to go.
Or, maybe you’re standing in the aisle of a store, looking ‘smart’ and someone mistakes you for a store employee. They approach you and ask about inventory or a question about the merchandise. All you were doing was standing there, but your location and stance gave the appearance of belonging and participation.
Oh, and then there are those who get arrested for their proximity to the crime. “But, I was just standing there!” That doesn’t serve as a valid excuse and it doesn’t exonerate that person. Their ‘standing’ was interpreted as ‘participation’ and they were implicated along with those who were actively participating in the crime. “Just standing” can be “just dangerous”.
As parents, we have all kinds of warnings for our kids “Don’t stand too close to the edge!” “Don’t stand in the street!” “Don’t stand too close to the fire!” “Don’t stand on that chair- it’s not strong enough!” But, friends, it’s not just the physical location about which we need to warn them. Our sons and daughters need to be mindful of where they stand spiritually as well.
Does their location give the appearance of supporting something questionable or ungodly?
Are they surrounded by others who will ‘carry’ them along into things that are not wise or perhaps spiritually dangerous?
Have they chosen to stand where they might be mistaken for someone who does not stand on Godly principles?
How, where and with whom we stand is important. Let’s pray today that our sons and daughters are mindful of these and they don’t stand in the way that sinners take lest they find themselves on a road that leads away from the Lord.
“Lord, I pray for (name) today. Give them strength to stand in wise places where they will represent You well. Encourage them, Lord, to step away from people, places, and events that would challenge their testimony or tempt them to sin. I pray that You would give them good discretion, make their spiritual feet strong to hold them steady in the tide of evil that is pulling us more each day. Father, I pray that (name) would stand with You and not crumble to or be carried off by the ‘crowd’ of popular opinion. I pray this all in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
Stand Firm, Be Courageous
1 Corinthians 16:13 “ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
The 2015 movie “Cinderella” was a remake of the classic Disney story. It included visually stunning sets and characters that pulled us into the story. Of course, the protagonist met opposition, unkindness, cruelty and injustice. That’s part of what made the story memorable. She rose above, despite all of the hardships. In the midst of the struggle, Cinderella remembered the words of her beloved mother, “Always be courageous and kind”. Those words set the tone for her reactions and responses and they were foundational to her character. Despite the hardships, she remained courageous and kind. Yes, it was just a movie, but there were some valuable lessons shared and, more than just a storybook ending, the morals of forgiveness and kindness were evident.
Our lives don’t resemble a storybook. We can’t script how others respond nor can we craft the plot twists in our favor. But we have a good Father who has given us words of wisdom to live by. It’s not complicated. We need to pray that our sons and daughters would:
Be on their guard- the Enemy wants to pull them down. They need to be aware, be ready, and put on that spiritual armor.
Stand firm in the faith- they have to know what they believe and how to defend their faith
Be courageous- they will face oppression and opposition. But God is with them. They need to believe it!
Be strong- God is on their side! He will equip them for the battle- and there will be battles. They need to grow in their faith and be rooted in Scripture.
Our Heavenly Father is with us and watches over us. Jesus has planned a glorious future for us. The Holy Spirit lives in us, teaches us and comforts us. So, despite the hardship of this temporal life, we can trust that God is working everything out for our good and His glory. Why not commit 1 Corinthians 16:13 to memory today….and encourage your sons and daughters to memorize it as well.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
Pray without ceasing.