Churches

Good day dear hearts, I love you. Wow, did it get cold fast? Time to get the wood burner fired up. Today I share this short set of verses with you. “Be on your guard; stay firm in the faith; be courageous, be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16: 13-14. Have you ever tried to stand on shifting sand or ice? I don’t know much about sand, but ice I know very well. Like you I deal it with every winter and have had my share of slipping and falling. What do we do when we feel that coming on? We instinctively brace ourselves, widen our stance and look for something solid to hold onto. That’s the world we live in today; morally, spiritually and culturally. It shifts beneath our feet. Paul the apostle gives us a battle; ready posture for people of faith like ourselves.

In that short set of verses there are four commands for stability. 1) Be on your guard; Stay alert. The Greek word for guard implies a soldier keeping watch. For men, in particular, God has given us an awesome responsibility and many men have abandoned this call. Because of this there are many single moms raising their families. All of us today are the gatekeepers of our homes, our church, our hearts, our families and our communities. Are you alert to spiritual drift, compromise or distraction? Ask yourself this question, what are you allowing through the gates of your mind, your media, your relationships? 2) Stand firm in the Faith; Hold your ground. Stand firm in our faith, but stand on the Gospel; Christ crucified, risen reigning in heaven with the father and poised to come back and get us at the father’s calling. In a world that redefines truth, we must anchor ourselves in God’s Word, not popular opinion. Standing firm doesn’t mean being rigid; it means being rooted as we spend time spending time in God’s Word. 3) Be courageous and strong; Act with boldness. These are active not passive traits. Courage is not the absence of fear, but obedience in spite of it. We are called to lead, protect, speak truth, and live with integrity, even when it costs us. History offers us countless examples of individuals who stood firm. Here is an account of what happened in the life of Joseph from the Old Testament. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and sold off to merchants who brought Him to Egypt. He started off as a slave, moved up the ranks and found himself serving in the house of a high Egyptian official. The Egyptian’s wife had the “hots” for Joseph but Joseph refused her advances. She later accused Joseph of trying to seduce her and he was unjustly punished for standing firm and doing the right thing. As time went on God rewarded Joseph by putting him in charge of much of Egypt and he was able to rescue his family, the ones who betrayed him, from famine. 4) And last. Do everything in love; lead with grace. Love is the governing principle. Without its strength, we become hardened. Our firmness must be clothed in compassion. Our courage must be tempered by kindness. Are you known for your conviction or your compassion?

Standing firm is not for the history books only. It is for today, for the parent raising children in a culture that questions the very idea of objective right and wrong. For the teacher who dares to speak truth in a classroom where truth is contested. For the business leader who chooses integrity over profit. For the pastor who preaches the ways of God, even when it’s unpopular. This kind of steadfastness requires courage, the kind that is not brash but brave. Courage to ask hard questions. Courage to admit when we are wrong. Courage to speak truth in love, even when it costs us. And make no mistake it will cost us. Standing firm in a shifting world often means standing alone. We must also recognize that standing firm is not a solo endeavor. We need each other. In a fragmented world, community becomes an act of resistance. When we gather around tables, sanctuaries, across generations, we remind ourselves that we are not alone. We draw strength from shared stories, shared struggles and shared hope. Where do you feel the ground shifting beneath you right now? What does it look like for you to stand firm this week; in your marriage, your workplace, your habits? Pray for answers to those questions. Ask God for alertness, rootedness, courage and love. God Bless.

Lord, make us a people who stand firm, not in pride, but in faith. Help us guard what matters, speak truth with love, and live boldly for you in a world that desperately needs your light. Father, we ask your blessing on our little town. Send your Spirit and touch the broken-hearted, give peace to the sick, bless the poor.

Please join us Saturday, October 18th at 12:00pm for a complimentary dinner consisting of chicken & gravy, with biscuits, mashed potatoes, vegetable and dessert. Have lunch with your neighbor. Pastor Vince Chiaramonte, 570-853-3988.