Stand Therefore …. Re-Up

Whenever you decide that you are going to press into God, or you experience a season of spiritual growth and renewal, there is going to be a “push back.”

Satan can never do anything to us that God does not allow. God allows Satan to bring his “push back” because God knows that if we trust Him and put our focus on Him instead of the circumstances, then everything is going to work together for good and for victory in the long run!

We do have an adversary, Satan, and he does not want to see us turning to God, or pressing in for spiritual growth and renewal. So whenever we make that choice to press into God, or God by His grace grants us a season of spiritual growth or renewal, we need to prepare ourselves for the “push back” – for the whack.

I would guess, and in fact, I believe, that we can all relate to the concept of the “push back” or the “whack.” The key for us is to determine in advance how we are going to respond. It is always important to decide in advance and to prepare ourselves, and it also helps if we are truly able to let Satan know that we will not be shaken!

One of the first things we need to do is make sure

WE KNOW WHAT WE BELIEVE!

What do you believe about God in your heart of hearts / at the core of your being?

1. I believe that God is a loving God!

2. I believe that God is a powerful God who is able! 3. I believe that nothing comes into my life which God does not allow! Even if Satan

intends it for evil, God can make all things work together for good if we respond in faith and trust.

What do you believe about God in your heart of hearts / at the core of your being?

4. I believe that God is good!

5. I believe that God is my portion and my inheritance, and God is enough!

One of the first things we need to do is make sure

WE KNOW WHAT WE BELIEVE!

I believe that there is an eternal, spiritual reality that is MORE REAL than what we see and experience every day.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Romans 8:18 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

When we experience the “push back,” (the whack) we must make the determination

that we are going to “stand”!

And if we falter or slack off, we must make the determination to “re-up.”

There are also times when we must “re-up” as we love and care for others!

There are many times we have to “re-up” for ourselves.

I believe that we, as a body of believers, as a family of faith known as Crossroads, must decide that we are going to “re-up,”

to take a stand for God and for His kingdom and for His glory.

Hebrews 10:19-25 19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:19-25 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Ephesians 5:10-14a 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14Stand therefore….