Having a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ is very important. Truly knowing the nature and character of Yahweh gives us the grace to stand firm amidst all the difficulties we face in life. When we know without a shadow of a doubt what we believe and stand for, then we will not be easily shaken when the storms rages. Instead, we will be ready to face them with our heavenly father leading us.
‘Lord help me to hold firm to the faith I profess until my very last breath, give me more passion and zeal for everything concerning you, help me to live as light and walk in the example that you have set before me’. This has been the deepest cry of my heart, my greatest desire.
Be the light
Living for Jesus Christ, takes obedience, self-denial, self-sacrifice and total submission to his will. We must realize that we are not living for ourselves, but to bring God glory in everything we do and speak.
We are living in unprecedented times. Man’s heart has become even more wicked and cold. As Christians we cannot afford to get weary. We have to hold on, stand firm, have faith and do what Jesus charged us to do; Matthew chapter 28 verses 19 and 20; “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
It will not be easy when we decide to stand up for God and tell others about him. As Ephesians 6 verse 12 reminds us “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Our adversary the devil, is hard at work. He is doing all he can to distract us from pursuing a life of holiness and submission to God. He is using every avenue possible and he will stop at nothing. Therefore, we must remain vigilant. We must guard our hearts so that we will not be deceived. Christians! Remember Satan has no dominion over us, we are more than conquerors, we are victorious because our God is the champion of life. We must believe this with all our hearts.
Stick to God
There will be times on the Christian journey when we feel low in the spirit. In those times we should cry out to God even more. We will be tempted and tested, but we cannot give in. Consider Jesus, Satan had the audacity to tempt him, but Jesus responded perfectly, he rebuked him with the word of God and eventually the devil left. The word of God is our bread, let us hold firm to it and walk in righteousness and holiness.
Consider Job, he was tested and tried beyond human imagination, he lost the most precious things he had. Despite all this he did not lose hope in God. Job knew that there was purpose in his suffering, he knew that through his suffering he would come out as pure gold.
Eternal life
We have a goal in this life, we are in a race and it will not be in vain. Eternal life is awaiting all who hold firm to the very end. Can you imagine a life with no pain? No sorrow? No death? Just peace, joy and contentment? That is the life we will have in eternity, worshipping and adoring our creator.
Be encouraged today, do not lose hope. Do not give up, hold firm to the faith you profess. Do not compromise, stand for righteousness because it will not be in vain.
Galatians chapter 6 verse 9 “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Let us finish the race with our morals, values and faith intact. I pray that, like Apostle Paul, we will be able to say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (Second Timothy chapter 4 verse 7).
I am Victoria Richards, a fourth-year medical student at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica. Serving the Lord brings me joy. I enjoy sharing the gospel through singing, writing poetry and encouraging others.