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Thank you for reading Standing Firm, a weekly men's devotional written by Dennis Wingfield for Rejoice Marriage Ministries, Inc.
Current Issue
Faith and Obedience
If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. Isaiah 7:9
This was the promise of God to King Ahaz, delivered through the prophet Isaiah. A huge army was about to come against King Ahaz and God promised that they would not succeed. King Ahaz had a choice: Either he could believe what the Lord had spoken to him, or he could take matters into his own hands. His decision on what course to take would have serious consequences for himself and all of Israel.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
You face a similar decision in the fight for your family. Your choice will have serious consequences for you and your family. You can either believe what God has spoken in Isaiah 7:9 or you can do things your own way.
I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20
Your decision to walk in faith will have a profound effect on your life. If you believe in God’s promises, trusting in the power of the cross, you will make different decisions than if you have no faith at all. Every step of the way, your decision to walk in faith will take you in a different direction than if you follow the leadings of the secular culture.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Living by faith not only will you avoid God’s wrath, but you will also avoid the natural consequences of the sinful choices you may have made by following your own whims. God is pleased when you walk in faith, believing the promises set forth in His Word. God rewards obedience to His commands. During my stand, I was often criticized for having great faith in the promises of God. These critics said that this was nothing more than wishful thinking and I was out of touch with reality.
There is one big difference between faith and a positive attitude. Faith is relying on the awesome power of God to accomplish what He has promised. It is not accomplished through one’s own efforts. We are powerless to do anything on our own. Positive thinking relies on one’s own efforts and abilities to accomplish the goal. God wants you to totally depend on Him so He may be glorified for the outcome. Strength to do the impossible comes from a total reliance on God.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
In standing for the healing of your marriage, you have a choice to either walk in faith or to do things your own way. Even when you know what the Lord wants you to do, you may still be hesitant to obey. Daily you face influences and temptations that leave you wondering if it is worth staying faithful to the Lord and your marriage vows. Blessings are in store for the man of faith. Hold on to the Lord and His promises. He is faithful. Do not give up on the awesome power of God. Without God, you are powerless to do anything through your own efforts. If you do not stand by faith, you will not stand at all (Is. 7:9).
Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. Proverbs 20:6-7
Be a man of faith. Lead a righteous life. Be a blessing to your wife and family. You will never regret doing things God’s way!
God blesses those who obey him; happy the man who trusts in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20
God is faithful. Do you have faith in Him? Do you believe in the awesome power of the cross to overcome sin and death? Do you believe that God wants to heal your home and marriage? Trust and believe in the healing power of God. God heals hurting marriages. My healed marriage stands as testimony to God’s ability to miraculously raise a marriage from the dead.
The one who calls you in faithful and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24
Peace and blessings through Christ our Lord.
Dennis L. Wingfield
Rejoice Marriage Ministries
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