Hello vigilant ones!

 

Just like God has a wonderful plan for your life, Satan has one too, only one of destruction. Jesus said in Luke 22:31-32,

  • And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon!  Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

This word, "sift" means to separate, to break into pieces, to shake, to shatter, and to discourage; an inward agitation to try one's faith to the verge of overthrow.

Satan's plan is to drain, weaken, and wear down our faith through continualpressure, disappointments, and discouragement.  He wants to back us down from using our faith in order to take a strong stand for what belongs to us.  He wants us to live in a constant state of retreat.

I want to encourage you today to get more AGGRESSIVE ABOUT YOUR FAITH!  If you are going through a long, drawn out situation, do not become apathetic and feel sorry for yourself.  You are letting the devil beat you up. Get a hold of yourself and HAVE AGGRESSIVE FAITH.

We do not want to just maintain our current state - we want to continue to pursue God and His Word with  all our hearts, as if our lives depended on it.

We do not want to stay on the dock, so to speak - we want to launch out into the deep.

We do not want to just hold down the fort - we want to begin to take new ground.

We do not want to settle into the status quo - we want to reach up to the next level.

We do not want to throw in the towel - we want to go in for the next round.

Let us become AGGRESSIVE IN OUR FAITH IN GOD!  I exhort you to put the pressure on the enemy and not to remain passive.  I encourage you to thrive in life, not just survive.  You are in charge of your life, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Stay ahead of the curve.  Do not back down. Become MORE AGGRESSIVE about taking what is rightfully yours in Christ. Reach out with your faith and take what you need - command it to come. Demand it!

Hebrews 10:38-39 (NLT) admonishes us in this way,

  • My righteous ones will live by faith, but I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.  But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.

Our faith is the victory that overcomes the world, according to 1 John 5:4.

I want to encourage you with a final word from Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT),

  • Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.  Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Standing my ground,

Lisa Gordon

Gordon Ministries and Jesus City Church