Stand Firm

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:18):
Does it ever seem like life is a series of
battles that come our way, one right after the other,
and the hardest thing that we have to do is
to stand firm. One time, I was down in the
garbage dump in Costa Rica, San Jose, and I was
walking to a young lady's house with that we support there,

(00:41):
and I was with a team of people and they
were keeping a close eye on me because they were
watching me walk on this path because right on the
other side of the path, on my left hand side
was a steep drop off. They go, be careful, passer,
don't slip. Stand firm, And that's exactly what I was
trying to do, is to stay firm. And so many

(01:02):
times in life there are battles that seem to come
one right after another, and they're really coming to knock
us off our footing, to get us off of where
we need to be. And so one night, in the
middle of the night, in a dream, I was told
the following statement. I was told, stand firm and what

(01:24):
I've called you to do. And so I woke right
up and I go, wow, that's interesting. Stand firm and
what I've called you to do. So the question I
have for you all that are listening out there right now,
either on Wood Radio at one am in the morning
or maybe you're getting this Slater the Healing Begins podcast channel.

(01:45):
What is it that God has called you to do?
As an individual? We're all called to do different things.
Not everybody's called to be a preacher, Not everybody's called
to be a nurse, Not everybody's called to be a doctor.
Some people work in factories. They've got different things they
really feel God is calling them to do. And I

(02:06):
will say this, as I get older, I realize it's
the very thing that the enemy wants to try to
stop me from accomplishing, and that is living out my purpose.
In order to live out my purpose, I've got to
stand firm. I've got to stand firm and what He's
called me to do. And you got to stand firman

(02:27):
what he's called you to do, whatever that looks like.
And you see what will happen is many times people
go through storms in life and they say, well, where's God,
Where's God at? And they say something to the fact like, well,
why would I be going through this? And if you

(02:50):
look at James Chapter one, and I know I may
mention things occasionally more than once. But it talks about
you when you go through trials of many kind, because
you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance,
and the end of perseverance is maturity. And so if

(03:12):
you have something you believe God has called you to do,
the enemy will do everything in his power to take
that away from you. Have you ever done everything you've
known to do and you say, there's no more than
I know to do. Than what you have to do
is stand firm at what He's called you to do

(03:33):
and what you believe, and not back off from that.
You'll get people criticizing you. You'll get people putting you down.
Why you're going to do that. I remember when I
told my mom and dad I was going to leave
and quit a good six dollars an hour job and
go into the ministry. And my mom and dad said,

(03:55):
are you sure that's what God's calling you to do?
You're going to leave a good six dollar an hour job.
And they saw the job as stability for me in
the ministry and always stable. But I knew it's what
God called me to do, and I stood firm in
my conviction, and I even had people bet that i'd fail. Well,

(04:17):
you know what, I used the negativity that was going
on around me as a springboard to go where I
needed to go, as a motivation point. And so when
you're called to do something, it's important that you walked
that out. Whether it's being a mom that stays home

(04:40):
with the children, you know that's a calling. Do you
know that's very important. If you're a mom out there
listening to me right now, at home taking care of
the kids full time, that's a big job. That's bigger
than my job. I'll tell you that would wear me out.
I know that for sure. I have two children, but
they're older now, they're gone. They're older now, they're long gone.

(05:04):
And so I looked up standing firm, and the first
scripture that popped up was the Ephesians, chapter six, verses
ten through fourteen. Finally, my brothers, you know, Paul is saying, finally,
So if you get anything, get this, be strong in
the Lord and in his mighty power. So that's how

(05:28):
we stand, in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God. So you can
take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle
is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Wow. Therefore, therefore,

(05:54):
what therefore, since we know this, put on the full
armor of God, that when the day of evil comes,
you may be able to stand your ground. And after
you have done everything to stand stand firm, then with
a belt of truth buckled around your waist and the
breastplate of righteousness in place. So he tells us to

(06:18):
stand firm because the enemy is scheming. You know what,
though God is always way ahead of the enemy, it's
not even a comparison. And so the other thing that
you have to do to stand firm when it seems
like all hell is breaking loose around you is you

(06:38):
have to come to the point where you trust God,
which is a big deal. Where you trust God and
allow him to handle the burdens and some of the
anxiety and the stress that will becoming your way on
a regular basis. So standing firm is something you learn

(06:59):
to do. It's not always easy, because sometimes you feel
like you take a two steps forward and one step backwards,
or two step forwards and three step backwards and it
just seems like it's a losing battle at times. I
remember climbing sand dunes and when I would try to

(07:21):
walk up the dune, every step I take it seemed
like I was sliding backwards in the sand. And that's
how life is. Sometimes it's just rough and it's not
easy to get through. So I pray that God would
strengthen you and help you to stand firm in what
He's called you to do one Peter five to nine.

(07:45):
Resist him, stand firm in the faith because you know
that your family of believers throughout the world is undergoing
the same kind of suffering. So here we're told to
stand firm by resisting the enemy and stabbing firm in
the faith. One of the ways you can do this.

(08:06):
One of the enemy's biggest tactics is fear, getting you
to be afraid. Well, my Bible says that God has
not given me a spirit of fear, but power love
in a sound mind. And so in the name of Jesus,

(08:26):
when fear comes my way, that's what I tell the
devil a use scripture. But also when you stand firm,
I think it's important to get wise counsel, to have
people that can guide you direct you, pray for you
when you're trying to do what God has called you
to do, and so having good godly wisdom and counseling

(08:51):
around you is helpful to get to where you need
to go. Then he says, here there's another in this
verse something early. You know that the family of believers
throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of suffering. So,
in other words, you and I going through what we're
going through, we're not alone that others have made it

(09:15):
through the same battles. Remember, storms and battles always have
a timestamp. There is a time when they will be over,
and the Lord always has a way of getting us
through to the other side. I'm reminded when the Lord
told the disciples to get into the boat and go
to the other side. And as they're going, he lays

(09:38):
down in the boat and he goes to sleep. Right,
and the disciples are doing what the Lord has called
them to do. They're told go to the other side,
get in the boat, and in the middle of going
to the other side, they're hit with a terrible storm.
Some versions of the Bible call it a tempest. They

(10:01):
come up quickly, they hit you hard, and they can
sink your ship. And you know they're all bailing water. Man.
They are like bailing water trying to keep the boat afloat,
when actually what they should have done instead of bail water,
just tap the Lord on the shoulder and say, hey,

(10:22):
we know you're in control of the storm. Tell these winds,
Tell these waves to calm down, because you know what,
because it was the Lord that told them to go
to the other side, they were gonna make it no
matter what. God knew about that storm before it even
came up. And that's what also gets me in life.

(10:43):
When he calls us, he also knows what we're gonna
go through. He knows what we're gonna face, and he
knows the mistakes that we will make along the way,
and yet he still calls us. You know, in Romans eight,
it says all things work together for good to them

(11:04):
that love God and are called according to his purpose.
So along the way, God knows how to take mistakes
and turn good out of them. So stand firm in
the faith. Maybe you feel like you've really blown it.
Maybe you feel like you were standing firm at one

(11:24):
time and now it seems like you're way off to
the right, or way off to the left. You're not
where you should be. Well, you know what, give back up,
ask God to forgive you, and get right back to
what He's called you to do, and don't stop. The
Lord knows, and he knew every mistake, everything you would do,

(11:47):
everything you would do wrong, and yet he still called you.
So stand firm. One Corinthians fifteen fifty eight says, Therefore,
my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move. You.
Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord,
because you know that your labor in the Lord is

(12:11):
not in vain. And the Bible says, don't grow weary
in well doing, for in due season you will reap
a harvest if you faint. Not a lot of times
people give up, and they quit just before their breakthrough
or just before when God's about to do something special

(12:32):
for them. So I want to say to you today,
don't give up. Stand firm. Let nothing move. You. Always
give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because
you know your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
He is with you, He is walking with you. He

(12:54):
will see you through, and one day we will stand
before him. But not only that, you know what I
think about or I'm hoping for. Someday when I get
to heaven and cross over to the other side, I
cannot wait to see the people that my life has affected,
people that I was able to help along the way

(13:16):
that made it to heaven. That's why it's so important
to stand firm in what He's called you to do,
because whether you understand it or not, there are many
people that depend on us, that depend on us to
do well. To stand firm because they're watching us, and
when they see us standing firm and they see us

(13:39):
not giving up, they too will stand firm and take
strength from what we're doing. Philippians one twenty seven. Whatever happens,
conduct yourself in a matter worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Then,
whether I come to see you or only hear about
you in my absence, I will know that you stand

(14:03):
firm in one spirit, striving together as one for the
faith of the Gospel. I love it. This verse is
something very significant. Whatever happens, conduct yourself worthy of the
Gospel of Christ. Wow, what is that telling me? Stuff

(14:26):
happens when we walk with the Lord, and the way
we react and the way we respond make a difference.
You know. John Maxwell One says, people react to your
reactions of their reactions, and it's totally true when something happens,
and you very well could have blown up and lost
your cool, but yet you remain calm, cool, collected by

(14:51):
the grace and the power of God. That is a
witness and a testimony for those that are watching your life. Wow.
And then he says, stand firm in one spirit. And
we're standing firm for the gospel of Jesus Christ. That

(15:12):
Jesus was God, the son that came in the flesh,
the way, the truth, and the light, that he died,
he rose again on the third day. And there's no
other name under heaven by which man may be saved
but the name of Jesus. Do you know Jesus, Have
you accepted him as your Lord and savior? Are you

(15:33):
where you need to be with the Lord? Maybe that's
your first step to standing firm. If you're not where
your need to be with the Lord, just pray this.
And he said, Jesus, I know I'm not where I
need to be with you. I asked you to forgive
me of my sins. Come into my heart, be my savior.
I rededicate my heart in my life to you in

(15:56):
the name of Jesus ammen very important. First Corinthians sixteen thirteen.
Be on guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous,
be strong, Oh man, I love that be on guard.
So be watchful, be watchful, don't let things catch you

(16:20):
by surprise. Then he says, stand firm in the faith.
What's faith calling the things that are not as though
they already are. And be courageous wow, which means I'm
gonna face things that time where I'm gonna need God's

(16:41):
help to be courageous. Then he says, be courageous and
be strong. This reminds me of Joshua chapter one, where
he says to Joshua be strong and courageous, But then
he says to him, be strong and very courageous, because

(17:02):
you will lead these people to inherit the land. I
don't know, but if I got a prophetic word where
they told me to be strong I'm very courageous, I
would know that I'm going to be facing things or
I'm gonna need that word in the day of battle.
So stand firm, brothers and sisters, Philippians one. For therefore,

(17:25):
my brothers and sisters whom I love and long for
my joy and my crowd. Stand firm in the Lord.
In this way, dear friends, stand firm. Wow, what a
great word. Stand firm in the Lord. So, I don't
know what you're going through, but I'm gonna share something

(17:46):
with you I'd like to hear from you. Please email
me your Prairie Quest. Let me know how you like
the program, let me know what you're going through, what
your battles are, anything you'd like me to talk about.
My email is share at Healing Begins Radio dot com. Again,

(18:08):
that email is share at Healing Begins Radio dot com.
I just want to say this in closing, you can
do it. With the Lord's help, you can make it.
You can stand firm to the end. You know says
in the Book of Revelation, he who stands firm in

(18:30):
the end will receive the crown of life. And I
know that when we stand firm, it pleases the Lord.
Because faith is not how I feel. Faith is based
on what I know God has said in his word.
And I'm gonna stand firm no matter what. I'm not
going to give up, and I'm not gonna back down.
I'm going to stand firm. So I would really like

(18:53):
to pray for you that are out there. Many of
you probably feel like, man, I just don't know what
God's called me to do. Jeremiah thirty three to three
called to me, and I'll answer you and show you
great unsearchable things you know not Oh, and God wants
to reveal to you what He's called you to do.
I pray that God would show you every step of

(19:15):
the wave for your life. And I pray that He
would give you strength to stand firm in the battle.
And I think it's really critical in standing firm that
our walk with Jesus is firm, that we're spending daily
time in God's word and in prayer. So I want
to pray for you that God would strengthen you, that

(19:37):
he would reveal his will to you at this portion
of your life, in this stage of your life. Lord,
you are so good, You love us so much. And
you know where everybody's at. Lord, I don't know if
they're in their car or working out, or decided they
would put this podcast on and listen to it. I
don't know what country they're listening from, or where in

(20:00):
what city. It doesn't matter, because you are everywhere you
can be right there with them, with each person wherever
they're at. I pray that your peace and your presence
would fill the room where they're at. I pray that
they would know that you love them, that you care

(20:21):
about them, that you want to guide them. You said
in your word, my sheep know my voice, and another
they will not follow. And I pray that people could
hear your voice. I pray that for those that don't
know what they're called to do, that as they seek
you according to your word, that you would give them

(20:42):
a new revelation of what they were created for and
for what they're called to do. Then, Lord, I pray
for those that feel like they don't have the strength
to go another step, Lord, I pray that today that
you would strengthen each person. Strengthen them with your love,

(21:06):
with your peace. Lord, let them know that if they
made mistakes, you're not mad at them. You don't condemn anyone.
But your arms are open wide to everybody that's listening.
This morning, you said, come to me, all you are weary,
and have you laiden, and I will give you rest.

(21:28):
Take my yoke. My yoke is easy and my burden
is like Lord. I pray you lift the burdens off
people's shoulders that they carry each and every day. Lord,
they're going to work, they're coming home. Lord, I don't
know what they're listening and why they're listening, but Lord,
I'm just glad they're listening. And I pray that today

(21:50):
each person would know that you had them in mind
when we recorded this program. And so Father, I thank you,
thank you that you always have us in mind. You
always have us in mind because you loved us and

(22:10):
you created us to do your purpose and your will.
In the name of Jesus. Amen. Well again, I'd like
to hear from you. My email is share at Healingbegins
radio dot com. May the Lord bless you, May the
Lord keep you. May the Lord cause his face to

(22:33):
shine upon you. May he always be gracious to you,
and may He give you peace. And I pray today
this morning that God would strengthen you to stand firm
in what He's called you to do, because he who's

(22:55):
called you, he is faithful. God bless and have a
good morning. We live in a world of worries, stress

(23:25):
and fear, and many times people don't have a very
good support system. I would like to hear from you.
I would like to know how you like the program,
any prairie question might have, or any future subjects that
you would like me to address on future programs. My
email is Share at Healing Begins Radio dot com. Again

(23:50):
that Share at Healing Begins Radio dot com. Healing Begins
is brought to you by Spiritual Care Consultants located in Hastings, Michigan.
At the Healing Center, we see children and adults at
no costs. We do virtual and in person sessions. We

(24:12):
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We would like to invite you and your family and

(24:34):
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then look for Healing Begins and click on that. Thank
you so much for being a faithful supporter. May God
bless you, keep you, cause us face to shine upon
you and give you peace. Thank you for listening.