An Excerpt from the devotional: 70 Day Ponder Action Prayer Challenge
Staying close to Jesus, talking with Him, reading His Word, getting help and community from Christian friends are ways for the Christian to stay firm in Christ during a season like Christmas. This is not easy as many of us have to spend time with people, who do not share our faith, who do not take care to help us stay away from our life-controlling issues, sometimes even flagrantly waving them in our faces. The triggers to use are everywhere.
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13
WEEK 6 DAY 5
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and
do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
GALATIANS 5:1
PONDER
Standing firm in the face of all kinds of distractions and problems is not easy.
Part of the “standing firm” is resisting the flesh and its desires and wants,
resisting against an enemy, who simply just doesn’t want us to get serious
with God, and standing firm against a culture that is often very opposed to
the God of the Bible.
“And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong.
So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made
weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be
able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is
no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a
couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish
against the Devil and all his angels”.
EPHESIANS 6: 10-12 THE MESSAGE
ACTION
One of the most important and vital things to do every day as part of your
armor allowing you to stand firm, is to read and meditate on the Word of God.
This is the most significant way to transform your thoughts to align with God’s
thoughts and His will for your life. Make sure you are walking in some form of
Christian community that points you to Christ and His Word.
PRAYER
Lord, you say that Your Word stands forever (Isaiah 40:8) and it can really go
deep into the depths of my heart, soul and mind to transform me. I need that
Lord, help me find the discipline and consistency every day to sit with You and
read and meditate on Your Word. Let this be a non-negotiable thing for me,
like eating and all the other things I do every day.
CHALLENGE
Say no to something that has enslaved you. If you know Jesus as your Lord
and Saviour, you have the power in you to resist and stand firm to temptation.
If you know that what you are doing is not pleasing to the Lord, no matter
what your feelings are telling you, turn away, pray, distract yourself, call someone.
Why would you choose the blame, shame, and guilt consequences over
the peace and joy God so desires for you?
The 70 Day Ponder Action Prayer Challenge Devotional is available for free download at this link:
Sally Childress
Co-founder of Free! Recovery