Standing Firm

/ taethne

In 1 Peter chapter 5 these words are written, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” Ephesians 6:11 tells us to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” 

Notice that in both cases we are called to stand firm. In almost 35 years of ministry, I have encountered evil many times, in many forms. I have seen people controlled by evil spirits, paranormal activity and things that don’t seem to have an earthly explanation. Unlike other individuals who go around seeking out encounters with spirits or claiming to do exorcisms, my encounters always happened in the normal course of doing ministry.

Instead of rebuking the enemy or seeking a “power encounter”, I have learned simply to stand firm and in doing so, the enemy has to retreat. I call on my Heavenly Father to give me the strength to endure and to stand firm while also calling on my Lord and Master Jesus to deal with the evil in front of me. Could I rebuke the unclean spirits in my authority as a Child of God? Yes. But I can also appeal to my Lord who is always with me. Now, if He says, “I will let you del with this one”, so be it. Until then, I will resist the evil, pray to the Lord to overcome my enemy and continue to stand firm in the face of all dangers.

Simply having the strength to stand firm in the face of terrible evil is difficult. It is overpowering, full of depravity and uncleanness. It is emotionally taxing, especially for those of us who are empathetic in nature. It is frightening when facing non-mortal entities and experiencing some of their power. Standing firm takes a lot of spiritual strength.

Ephesians 6 goes on to say, “13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Three times here we are told to stand. We prepare by putting on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness and the gospel of peace. All this, just to stand firm. James 4:7 tells us to resist the devil and he will flee from us. We don’t have to attack him, we just have to resist, to stand firm, and like a strong seawall, his waves of attack will break against us and fail, leaving him no choice but to retreat.

We don’t roll over, freeze up or cower in fear – we stand. We also do not go seeking trouble, challenging what we don’t fully understand, but we stand firm in the truth. We stand firm in presenting the gospel, we stand firm in discipling the nations, we stand firm in advocating for morality, decency and peace. We don’t abdicate our responsibility. We keep our eyes on Jesus and stand in Him alone. He is our Shield and Defender. He is our Rock in whom we trust. Who shall we fear, knowing the Lord is for us.

Be encouraged, then, when the enemy reveals himself and you encounter evil. Stand firm in the strength of the Lord and watch the enemy retreat.

Exaggerating for Effect

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In an effort to drive home a point or advance an agenda, many people exaggerate a real event or occurrence. While some parts of the story may be true, or even technically correct, the whole narrative is skewed so as to become propaganda to further a cause. As Christians, we should strive to “tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth” so as to not bring harm or slight upon the perfect person of Jesus Christ.

One such popular slogan tossed around today is that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were “refugees” because they fled to Egypt to avoid Herod’s persecution. That is an example of what I am talking about. People are trying to take a modern connotation of what a refugee is and superimpose it onto a historical event. Jesus did go from Israel to Egypt for a short period of time. However, both Israel and Egypt were Roman Empire territories. They did not flee to another country such as modern-day refugees fleeing war torn Syria for Sweden.

Jesus’ flight into Egypt would be more like someone fleeing Newsom’s California for DeSantis’ Florida. Still remaining in the United States but going to another jurisdiction to avoid political persecution. We would not call them a refugee. Also, the trip was self-funded. Mary and Joseph had received the gifts from the Magi – gold, frankincense and myrrh – which would have provided plenty of money for the young family to travel, find a home and set up shop in the large Jewish community already residing in Egypt. After a couple years, as soon as Herod dies, they return back to Israel and settle in Nazareth.

Now, under a very broad definition of refugee, a person fleeing from political violence, for a very short period of time, one might consider Jesus to have been a refugee. From a practical standpoint, no, He wasn’t. And He wouldn’t identify as one since He was under 5 when all this took place anyway. He would have little to no memory of it as His childhood was stable, growing up in Nazareth. Those who bandy this about are trying to drive an agenda that doesn’t need support from stretching the truth like this. We already have commands of Scripture to take care of others, to support the poor and indigent, to treat all people with dignity and respect, both countrymen and the alien among us.

Using an event like the Bethlehem slaughter of infants to try and score political points today does an injustice to Scripture. The flight to Egypt would have happened anyway because it was a prophetic event. This was done to fulfill the Scripture “Out of Egypt I have called My Son”. A temporary (estimated 3 1/2 years) of hiding and then a return to one’s homeland is not the same as permanent refugee status today inside another country. Temporarily fleeing political persecution would be a more accurate way to describe what occurred, although it wouldn’t fit the current political narrative being pushed. And this is too bad, because Jesus doesn’t need us to “spin” events for Him. He simply needs us to present the truth simply, cleanly, and clearly.

2025 Plans

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So, 2024 did not go as planned. From the devastation of Hurricane Helene doing far more property damage than can be repaired in the foreseeable future, to changing vocations to work as a chaplain with a different company and various crises that popped in and out of our lives, 2024 saw Ta Ethne on the back burner.

We enter 2025 filled with optimistic expectations. A blog a week is the goal – 52 hopefully helpful essays that will run the gamut from inspirational to informative and maybe even inquisitive. With new, added responsibilities in work life this is ambitious, but I feel necessary to continue the work.

So many have reached out to encourage me to write another book. Maybe, just maybe, 2025 will let us catch our breath long enough to begin the process of note taking, compiling and beginning a rough draft. If one has suggestions on a particular topic, shoot us an email.

Remember, no matter how dark it may seem, Christ’s light banishes the darkness. Perhaps, as dark as 2024 was for so many, it was fitting for the year to end with Christmas and the first day of Hanukkah to both be on the same day.

God bless you with His grace

40 Days 0f Praise — Day 40 Easter

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CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY by Charles Wesley

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia; Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia; Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia; Fought the fight, the battle’s won, Alleluia

Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia; Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia; Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia

Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia; Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia; Following our exalted Head, Alleluia

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia; Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia; Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia

Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia; Hail the Resurrection Thou, Alleluia

King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia; Everlasting life is this, Alleluia

Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia; Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia

            What greater day is there for a Christian to celebrate than Resurrection Sunday?  Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we would have no spiritual birthday to celebrate. We would have no Christian faith. We would be of all people the most miserable.

            Our enemy, Satan, could not foresee the return of Christ from death’s domain anymore than he could grasp the reality of mankind’s redeemable soul. He, as an angelic creature, does not have one and neither he nor they fully understand how it works.

            Because of the finished work of Christ, our soul can be born again, born from above, made new. We become righteous, justified, free from sin’s curse. What a wonderful Savior is Jesus our Lord.

            If a Christian cannot be excited on Easter, if they cannot sing and praise and shout in celebration for Christ’s return from the grave, then I would posit that they are not a Christian at all. Oh, the glorious truth of the gospel writers, showing us the account of that first Easter morning. Sad, dejected, confused disciples go to the tomb. Emboldened, resolute, joyful disciples go forth into the world on Monday, having seen the Risen Christ. May we always celebrate our Lord of Life.

            May we know and prove His resurrection power in our lives.

Lord God, thank You for sending Your Son to purchase our salvation. We rejoice this day, honoring His resurrection from the dead and celebrating His reign at Your powerful right hand.

40 Days of Praise — Day 39

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So I am one day off due to missing a day last week. I intended to finish on Resurrection Sunday. Today then will be a two- for-one. A post this morning, then an Easter post this afternoon. Enjoy.

MORE ABOUT JESUS by Eliza Hewitt

More about Jesus would I know, More of His grace to others show

More of His saving fullness see, More of His love Who died for me

More about Jesus let me learn, More of His holy will discern

Spirit of God, my teacher be; Showing the things of Christ to me

More about Jesus in His Word, Holding communion with my Lord

Hearing His voice in every line, Making each faithful saying mine

More about Jesus on His throne, Riches in glory all His own

More of His kingdom’s sure increase, More of His coming, Prince of Peace

REFRAIN:

More, more about Jesus, More, more about Jesus

More of His saving fullness see, More of His love who died for me

           To learn more about Jesus everyday should be the desire of each of us. No matter how much I study and how much I learn, I have only scratched the surface of knowing Him. I desire to know more about Him. I am glad that eternity means forever, because that is how long I anticipate it taking to even begin knowing Him.

            In learning more about Him, I will come to understand what He means when I am given direction by Him. I will be able to discern His will more clearly and obey Him more completely. I will come to understand His Words revealed in the Scriptures, written for our guidance.

            One of the greatest ways to learn more of Him is to talk to Him, through prayer, each day. It is in conversing with Him that we learn to hear His voice. We also read of Him in the Bible, so that we can compare what it says to what we hear, to make sure we are hearing His voice and not an imposters.

            Another reason I desire to learn more about Him is to be able to show others I know, whom I care about, what He is like. I long to show His grace and transforming power to those around me who need Him most. If I am going to be greedy and shout more, more, I want it to be a holy greediness to understand my Lord better.

            My prayer for you, is that you will desire to know more about Him also.

Lord, help us desire to know more of You. Reveal Yourself to us as we come to You in prayer, as we read of You in the Bible. Speak to us in an unmistakable voice, one that cuts through the clutter and noise of the world. Help us to know You so that we may live a life pleasing to You and bring others to You for salvation.

40 Days of Praise — Day 38

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I GAVE MY LIFE FOR THEE by Francis Havergal

I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed

That thou might ransomed be, And quickened from the dead

I gave, I gave My life for thee, What hast thou given for Me?

I gave, I gave My life for thee, What hast thou given for Me?

My Father’s house of light, My glory circled throne

I left for earthly night, For wanderings sad and lone

I left, I left it all for thee, Hast thou left aught for Me?

I left, I left it all for thee, Hast thou left aught for Me?

I suffered much for thee, More than thy tongue can tell

Of bitterest agony, to rescue thee from hell,

I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee, What hast thou borne for Me?,

I’ve borne, I’ve borne it all for thee, What hast thou borne for Me?

And I have brought to thee, Down from My home above

Salvation full and free, My pardon and My love

I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee, What hast thou brought to Me?

I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee, What hast thou brought to Me?

There is no shame in remembering those who were are brothers and sisters who are now at home in heaven. The Bible continually speaks of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Hebrews 11 gives us an honor role of faithful saints. Those who blazed trails in bringing the gospel to the nations are to be respected and honored for their work.

As important as this is, there is a danger. The danger is that we will honor men and women more than the God they served. No matter how great their service, it paled in comparison to what God has done for us. That is why I have picked this song for today. It is a good reminder of why they served, why we serve. 

Christ gave His precious blood for us, can we do any less for Him? If He calls us to suffer for Him, to become a martyr in bringing His gospel to the nations, who are we to shrink for it? Our forefathers did not. Christ left all the splendor of heaven to serve us in the squalor of earth. Can we not leave the comforts of home to go to where people are? Christ gave us Himself, the richest gift of all. Can we not share that gift with the nations?

If we would really honor the saints, we would do well to imitate their example. We would strive to be William Careys, Amy Carmichaels, Gladys Alworths. We would strive to be John Bunyans, William Tyndales, Martin Luthers. Even better, we would emulate Jesus Christ, our greatest hero.

Lord, help us to serve You boldly, willingly, supremely. Let us work diligently until You come again and take us home to where You are.

40 Days of Praise — Day 37

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ALMOST PERSUADED by Philip Bliss

Almost persuaded now to believe; Almost persuaded Christ to receive;

Seems now some soul to say, Go, Spirit, go Thy way

Some more convenient day, On Thee I’ll call

Almost persuaded, come, come today; Almost persuaded, turn not away;

Jesus invites you here, Angels are lingering near,

Prayers rise from hearts so dear; O wanderer, come!

Almost persuaded, harvest is past! Almost persuaded, doom comes at last!

Almost cannot avail; Almost is but to fail!

Sad, sad, that bitter wail Almost, but lost!

            Based on the KJV’s translation of Acts 26:28 and a sermon by the Reverend Brundage, Philip Bliss gives us this hymn with a sobering theme. It seems that as he was listening to a sermon, a line was uttered that went, “He who is almost persuaded is almost saved, and to be almost saved is to be entirely lost.” As he reflected on this, he was moved to pen the words to this hymn.

            What a sad situation it is, when a person receives a witness of the gospel truth, accepts it as the truth, and still refuses to submit to Christ’s Lordship. How sad to hear from people, “some more convenient day”, not right now, later, perhaps. It is so frustrating to hear people acknowledge the truth but refuse to let it change their lives.

            Some are afraid they will have to give up a lifestyle they enjoy, some are afraid of the demands God may make of them. This fear keeps many from following, making the mistake that they can repent right before death and find peace. They forget that death can come unexpectedly and it is too late once they appear before the judgment seat.

            It is for this reason the Bible tells us that today is the day of salvation. We are not to harden our hearts to the gospel, not to delay in repenting of our sins and asking God for mercy. Now the invitation is given, we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Whether tomorrow brings death to us or the return of Christ, either way it spells doom for the unbeliever. To delay may be eternally fateful. Sad, sad, their bitter wails as they realize, too late, they missed the invitation. Let us bear down in prayers for those we love before it is too late for them.

Lord, there are those I love who are foolishly waiting. They know the truth but have yet to bend their knee to You. Let Your Spirit strive with them still, melt their hard heart and lead them to You I pray.

Day of Praise — Day 36

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JUST AS I AM  by Charlotte Elliott

Just as I am without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me

And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God I come, I come

Just as I am and waiting not, To rid my soul of one dark blot

To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God I come, I come

Just as I am though tossed about, With many a conflict, many a doubt

Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God I come, I come

Just as I am poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind

Yea all I need in Thee to find, O Lamb of God I come, I come

Just as I am, Thou wily receive; Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve

Because Thy promise I believe; O Lamb of God I come, I come

Just as I am, Thy love unknown; Hath broken every barrier down

Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone; O Lamb of God I come, I come

Just as I am, of that free love; The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove

Here for a season, then above; O Lamb of God, I come, I come

            What a wonderful joy to know that we can come to Jesus just as we are. Indeed, we have to come as we are because only He can cleanse us. We cannot clean ourselves up. We cannot make ourselves righteous. We don’t wait until we have “made things right.” We go to Him to be made right.

            Not only do we come to Him just as we are, but we are assured that He doesn’t leave us as we are. We come to Him and leave changed. He does indeed rid our souls of the dark stain of sin. He makes us spiritually alive, opens our eyes to spiritual truth, puts us into the correct frame of mind as He heals us.

            It is amazing that He is willing to pardon us. Even greater still is His willingness to cleanse us, transform us, call us one of His own. He has promised and His promises never fail. “Come to Me,” Jesus invites and we run to Him, knowing He alone has the answers we need.

            I love the very first verse. We come to Christ with no excuses, only an admission of our guilt. We throw ourselves on the mercy of God’s court, and find His grace operative there. Our admission of guilt, our contrition and repentance, is all we need. He bids us to come to Him to find forgiveness and healing. Why should we linger, and heed not His mercies? He is tenderly calling to us, urging us to come to Him. “Let us reason together, though your sins be as scarlet they will be white as snow.”[1] O Lamb of God, I come, seeking Your forgiveness and grace.

Thank You Lord for being willing to take me as I am. Thank You for not leaving me that way, but cleansing me and making me holy. You are a great and wonderful God.

[1] Isaiah 1:18

40 Days of Praise — Day 35

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PRAISE TO THE LORD, THE ALMIGHTY by Joachim Neander

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty the King of Creation, O my soul praise Him for He is thy health and salvation

All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near, Join me in glad adoration

Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth, Shelters thee under His wings, yea so gently sustaineth

Hast thou not seen, how thy desires e’er have been, Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord who hath fearfully wondrously made thee, Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.
What need or grief ever hath failed of relief?, Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

Praise to the Lord who doth prosper thy work and defend thee; Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging, Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace, Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding, Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,

Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night, Saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him! All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again, Gladly for aye we adore Him.

            This hymn is packed with doctrinal truth. One could use it to teach a class on the doctrine of God to new believers, taking a stanza at a time. God is King. He is the Creator. It is in Him that we find salvation and abundant life. He is worthy to be praised and adored.

            I love the second verse. Can you not see, the writer asks, how God works in our life, gently changing our hearts and minds to desire, to want what is His desire for us? He doesn’t force us to His will, He changes our will to His own. We look and see and wonder, when did I change? When did I stop wanting that? When did I start desiring this? O how smoothly the Spirit of God works His transforming power!

            God’s grace and mercy are given to us daily. He doesn’t leave us on our own to stumble about, He doesn’t leave us at the mercy of the storms of life, He shields and defends us, calming the storms and providing victory over them.

            When it seems as if evil is winning. When it looks like the ungodly are prospering, God reminds us that He is in charge. Good will triumph, evil will be judged. We are assured of everlasting rewards, evil of everlasting punishment. The light always overcomes the darkness. It chases away shadows and reveals what is hidden. Nothing can withstand the light of His presence. What fantastic reasons to sing praise to the Lord, the Almighty, our Rock and Captain of our Salvation.

Praise be to You, O Lord. You are almighty. You are all-powerful. You and You alone are worthy to be praised. Thank You, for surrounding me with Your presence each day.

40 Days of Praise — Day 34

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MUST I GO, AND EMPTY-HANDED by Charles Luther

Must I go and empty-handed, Thus my dear Redeemer meet

Not one day of service give Him, Lay no trophy at His feet?

Not at death I shrink nor falter, For my Savior saves me now

But to meet Him empty-handed, Thought of that now clouds my brow

O the years in sinning wasted, Could I but recall them now

I would give them to my Savior, To His will I’d gladly bow

O ye saints, arouse, be earnest, Up and work while yet ’tis day

Ere the night of death o’er-take thee, Strive for souls while you still may

REFRAIN:

Must I go and empty-handed? Must I meet my Savior so?

Not one soul with which to greet Him: Must I empty-handed go?

               What a haunting thought, to meet Jesus in heaven and have nothing to show Him. To waste the talents He has given us, to squander the time allotted to us, to waste the opportunities to reach others for His kingdom, what a tragedy. We must work now, before He returns, to reach as many people as we can with the gospel, for when He comes again it will be in judgment and not mercy.

               Jesus will not lie to us. He will not say, “Well done my good and faithful servant” if we have not done well nor been good. If we have hidden our talent, as the man in the parable did, if we have refused to live our life for His glory, it will be in shame that we stand before Him.

               To live a life with no regrets, to make the most of every opportunity given, to use every minute of every day seeking His will, that should be our goal. Oh if we could have time back. Time to witness once more to friends that have passed away. Time to speak, once again, to family members that have died without Christ. But there is no turning back the clock, we must make the most of every opportunity, redeeming the time we have.

               This is a good resolution to make: to seize the time, to earnestly seek after souls and ferret out opportunities to share the gospel. Will we have people in heaven come up to us, thanking us for sharing the gospel with them or will we have people in hell shrieking, asking us why we cared so little for us that we kept our gospel to ourselves? Will we meet Jesus empty-handed?

Lord Jesus, help me redeem the time You have allotted to me to work for the kingdom. Give me souls to witness to, give me opportunities to share. Let me lead others to You so You can save them by Your grace.