From a Church Net group lesson I've learnt:
Title: Stand.
God has called each one of us to make a stand for Him, for ourselves and others around us.
So many times we try to stand on our own successes, but God is asking us to stand on Him, His successes, His victories, His promises on our lives.
So,
What have you done in the past 6 months to make a stand for God in your lives?
Do you think you have impacted anyone by doing that?
What can you do differently or do more in the coming months to make a stand for Jesus in your school, work and home?
Well, here are some ways we can make a stand for God in the coming months:
A. Make a Stand in Your Private Life.
- What you do in your private life, when no one is watching, is what will enable you to stand in front of others.
- King David was able to stand against Goliath because he could stand up against the bear and the lion while he was watching his sheep, when no one else was watching him.
So, application-wise,
Are you overcoming your private battles and making a stand in those times?
What are some things in your private life that you need to make a stand against or stand for?
For example:
Standing against cursing and swearing even when you are alone and even in your mind.
Making sure you do your work even when there's no one to push you.
Helping to do household chores even when there's no one to praise you.
Not going to pubs to smoke, drink and etc, arcades when you're supposed to study, and many more like having premarital sex.
B. Pass the Test.
- Our faith and our hearts will be tested and put through the fire.
- God tests our hearts in our private battles, through the situations about us, etc.
- In order to pass the test, we need to be faithful and faith-filled. For instance, being faithful by doing your devotions, going to Church, worshiping, praying, putting God's words into actions. And being faith-filled is having faith in God, His word, promises and what He's going to do in you.
Perhaps God has tested you in something and you have passed it, and are now able to stand for it. It could be a habit, an action, something in your speech, etc. Like stopping to curse, talk back...
Whether it's a small or a big matter to be tested in your life, God cares and has called you to be holy. So whenever you've passed a test, praise and thank God for the strength and guidance His has given you. If you have failed the test, do not ever give up on God and yourself. Seek His forgiveness, His light to be upon you so that you can pass the test and break free and stand against, let's say, bad habits.
C. Know What You Are Standing For.
- Jesus, while on earth, made a stand for God. And He knew what and who He was standing for- YOU and I.
- What are you standing for today?
Perhaps by recalling what your actions were these few days, you will know what you've been standing for.
- Let our everyday life, in every way, be shouting the name of Jesus.
So,
How can we let our lives stand for Jesus?
Think abut our speech, our responses and actions to people and situations around us, what we do, etc. For example, do we add onto the gossips and rumors behind a person's back, or do we change the subject when it comes to our turn to talk? Do we encourage our peers blindly to do certain things which could harm others? Do we allow ourselves to fall into temptation and to sin?
To conclude, let's pray that:
- God will help us to make a stand for His name in our lives. To give us strength, guidance...
- God will help us to put aside the things that stand in our way of making a stand for Him. Such things are like pride, face, temptations...
Note: This is adapted from my Church's notes, so I've included some of my thoughts. Should you disagree with some of the words above, do guide me. =) GOD BLESS!
