In Christ

You want a piece of me? Bring it! Should Christians take whatever the world throws at them or fight back? If we know who we are In Christ, we fight back! That reminds me of an old song I heard a few years ago by Pat Benatar, "Hit me with your best shot... fire away!” The lyrics expressed someone who did not fight fair, but if hit- she would get up again.

When life seems hard and people come against you, do you run and hide, lay down and give up or stand your ground? What do we, as Christians do when someone really hurts us?

We stand up and enforce the victory!

Who is our enemy? Is it the person who hurt us? No! 1 Peter 5:8 "8Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” NLT

There is the key! Our enemy is not a person or people in general. Will we see "the devil” when something happens to us? No again, we will most often see a person. Sometimes it will be someone we know very well and sometimes someone we have never met.

When "our great enemy, the devil” has found someone to devour, what this can mean is, he has found someone who is willing to do what he asks. He is a deceiver and he may even make them think, "It is a great idea and that no one will ever know what they just did or said.” - no matter how hurtful it may be to someone. When he has accomplished his task he will do what he does best... kill, steal and destroy the persons life.

This is why it is so important to know who your enemy is. When the attack is over it may be you the Lord works through to help the person the enemy used. Again, it is not the person behind the attack, it is the spirit behind the attack that is our enemy! The good news is that Jesus already defeated him (the devil) and it is up to us, as Christians to enforce that victory. If you have been knocked down lately don't just lay there, get up! I want to encourage you if someone has hurt you in any way and you feel the world is coming against you – STAND UP! It is time the Church put the enemy where he belongs – under our feet!

As a Christian we have available to us, all the power of heaven, we are far from wimps! 2 Tim 1:7 "7For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” NLT

I want to encourage you - don't let the attack stop your vision or your love for people. If the Church took a stand against the evil that we see in the world today, instead of leaving it up to the law enforcement, we would experience a much better world. I am reminded of a quote by Edmund Burke, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

I am taking a stand and I am willing to stand with you – we are well equipped! Ephesians 6: 10-17 "10A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on all of God's armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12For 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. 13Therefore, put on every piece of God's armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God's righteousness. 15For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” NLT

We win - every time!

Submission by Pastor Dale