Be Strong

 Happy Sunday!

"Finally, brothers and sisters, draw your strength and might from God."(Ephesians 6:10 Voice).

I always remind you that God is Good!  When he commands us to do anything he also provides us with all that we need to accomplish it.  He commands us to Love one another.(1 John 4:7).  And he gives us His Love to use.  Romans 5:5 says, "All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with HIS LOVE."(CEV).  He commands us to GIVE, and He supplies us with something to give.  2 Corinthians 9:10 says, "For God, who gives seed to the farmer to plant, and later on good crops to harvest and eat, will give you more and more seed to plant and will make it grow so that you can give away more and more fruit from your harvest."(Living Bible).

He commands us to be Strong, and he gives us strength and might!  Webster's Dictionary 1828 defined Strength as, "Firmness; solidity or toughness; the quality of bodies by which they sustain the application of force without breaking or yielding. Thus we speak of the strength of a bone, the strength of a beam, the strength of a wall, the strength of a rope. In this sense, strength is a passive quality, and is opposed to weakness or frangibility."  Don't miss this!  It is often easier to understand what something is by discovering what it is not.  Strength is not weakness!  God is not weak!  We are the children of God.  John 1:12 says, "But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name."(Amplified).

The Apostle Paul tells us how we can stay strong no matter what we face.  Ephesians 6:13-18 says, "So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up.  But to do this, you will need the strong belt of TRUTH and the breastplate of God’s approval(RIGHTEOUSNESS). Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of PEACE with God.  In every battle you will need FAITH as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. And you will need the helmet of SALVATION and the sword of the Spirit—which is the WORD of God.  Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere."(Living Bible).

Love and prayers, Cynthia