We think we're good and strong, standing in the Lord, and standing in the truth.
But, what do we do when trouble or persecution comes because of being a believer comes? What do we do when sin comes creeping at the door? Do we remain strong and standing at that time, fighting the good fight of faith? Or, do we give in to that sin and lower our morale for that moment or season?
For those of you who don't know, I am in my 50s (because a lady never has to tell her age, right?!) and therefore, I have a lot of "LIFE EXPERIENCE."
We think we are standing and boom, we fall. We saw the headlights of temptation and sin pointing our way, but we did not, for whatever reason, get out of dodge (no pun intended) in time.
For whatever reason, we did not look to see where was the way out that God was leading and providing us at the time. (There's scriptural reference to that in Corinthians somewhere. Look it up!)
We didn't take heed to the scriptures that said, "the enemy roars about like a roaring lion seeking whom to devour" and we got devoured. (There's scriptural reference for that also. I have not looked it up as of yet, though).
Sin is no laughing matter. God's not laughing; I'm not laughing, and hopefully you're not laughing either!
Thankfully, God shows us His BIG heart in the story of the Prodigal Son (again, you go look up the scriptural reference. I'm not doing that today for this blog post. Just giving an appeal to righteousness for you and for me!)
What is this all about?
What I'm saying is, we think we are good, we think we are standing, we think we are serving the Lord. And, that's all good and dandy, commendable. But. The big but is, be careful lest you (we.me) FALL!!
If you be reading this, I take it you don't wanna fall away from Christ just like I don't wanna ever ever ever ever ever EVER fall away from Christ.
Why not we pray for each other in our secret places? Why not we lift each other up to remain standing when the testing comes, for it IS coming.
A couple years ago I began working in a local pizzeria, after being let go from a local school district for refusing to comply wearing a stupid mask in January 2021. So, from 21-28 hours a week to zero hours in a nano-second. I accepted the pizzeria job because I figured 10-15 hours was better than zero. They actually gave me 20-25 hours to start, which I was immensely thankful for, and I was "in training" to become a store manager assistant, supposedly.
Anyways, last year in March 2023 they decreased my hours to under 10 per week, on average of 8-9 hours over the weekend. But, my God is in control and I hold my head up high! Yes, I had to readjust my budget expenses, of course, and I had to be more selective where monies could be spent. I also made this really strange goal of becoming a brand name insider with my local dance-exercise affiliation. Crazy, but I did it!
Last week someone said the Lord told them I am beautiful. And, I trust this person's judgment (walk with the Lord). When I was around 12 maybe 13 years old, at a friend's house of my parents, a group of us girls were "hanging out" together. It was like around 5-6-or maybe 7 of us girls. I recall one of the adults saying to one of the girls in the group, something to the effect of, "Oh you're so pretty!" And, "Look how pretty you are!" She, the adult said this to all the girls in the group (or many/most of them anyway), and I remember being EXCLUDED from any beauty comment.
Growing up, somehow I mistakenly thought I was supposed to "hide my beauty" and not show off my natural beauty that God gave me. So, frumpy clothes and little makeup did I wear. Rarely ever fashionable. Ew!
I decided that in my field of dance-exercise fitness, I want everyone to know and to love Jesus Christ of Nazareth as much as I do!! In my field at the pizzeria, they sent me to "re-education school" as I like to call it, where I am supposed to watch a video on appropriate and inappropriate workplace behavior. They are tying that over to social media now, and teaching us (I mean "propagandizing") not to say certain things there; some of it is good material, obviously hate speech on others is never a good idea. But I will never never never never ever stop preaching Christ. Please don't ask me to stop.
So, what brings about this post is that we think we're never gonna sin; we think we're standing strong; we think we're good with the Lord; and these are all good things; but, if there's danger on the horizon, if there's a temptation on the horizon, if there's a CBDC on the horizon, or if there's a poison NEEDLE on the horizon, PLEASE BE CAREFUL.
Who can read-between-the-lines here? Blessed are you who believe though not seeing (go look up the scriptural reference, I don't have it with me at the moment). Blessed are you who believe in the RISEN CHRIST.
I love you brothers and sisters in Christ; AGAPE and SHALOM to you and your families. Stay standing on the Rock of all rocks!
