Hold Fast

July 1, 2021

Test all things; hold fast what is good.

~I Thessalonians 5:21~

This is a warning Paul writes to all of us as we walk in the will of God. Times will get rough, they will get bumpy, and they will be uncomfortable as we whole heartedly abide in Jesus Christ. Knowing Jesus and growing intimate with Him above every person will allow us to see what is exactly in front of us as we minister, pray, worship and walk out each day. He will shine light on to things that are rather dim; "Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous."

(Psalms 112:4)

He will open our senses up to things around, allowing us to have clear spiritual vision;

"It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord." (II Corinthians 12:1)

He will draw us nearer to the things of Heaven and further from the things of this world; "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:2)

He will show you what is good and what is opposing good; "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil."

(Deuteronomy 30:15)

When we submit to His will we begin to truely walk in His shoes. Discerning the times and testing all that is around us to see whether it is faithful or lost. The Lord loves us enough to warn us, He did so through Paul. In verse 19 of this chapter Paul tells us not to quench Holy Spirit. We must not give in to what others want above what God wants. We must hold fast, especially in times such as this. How do we hold fast? We pray about everything that comes our way in word or in deed, no matter who it is coming from. We seek the Lord in how we should handle a situation so that our fleshly emotions will not rise out of control. We make sure it aligns with God's word. We stand firm in what Holy Spirit tells us to do, even if some may not approve. God knows everything and desires for us to remain wise in our stance. It takes great patience, self control, love and compassion. All things the Lord offers for us to receive from Him. We can't do it on our own. We just simply cannot. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness."

(Galatians 5:22)

Paul armed us and prepared us with these letters knowing that we would need to be mindful as the tricks of the enemy came at him many times in his walk with Jesus. We will suffer yet we will suffer for Christ.

"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."

(II Timothy 3:12)

I want us to stop and ask ourselves now if we are truely wanting to live godly lives, if we are willing to suffer persecution and if we are willing to bless those who do these things to us. Hold fast my friends. Jesus Christ did, Paul did and many more saints following after. Now He is calling us to as well.

Test each moment you encounter whether it is of God or not. Ask Holy Spirit for understanding each day and throughout the day. He is our Guide and our Comforter. Where others will fail us, He will always be. Where life throws us a curve ball, He comes in to gather up those pieces perfectly in His timing. Where confusion sets in, He brings a clear view to what is really happpening. Where we try to rush events, He fills our hearts with patience of the Father.

How blessed are we to know how alert we are to be and to have a God we can trust in at all times! We must latch on to Him alone and not to humans. We must fully surrender our wants to His wants. We must lack no good thing and abhor what is evil, exposing it for what it is. Hold fast my dear brothers and sisters because the time is near and the Lord is looking for His children to submit as bondservants.

Prayer:

Jehovah Shalom, thank you for an abundance of warning in Your word. I am blessed to have it each day to align to. There may be times when life takes a turn in a direction I never expected, yet I will trust in You. Remind me Lord to hold fast what is good, to declare the works of the Lord with boldness and to spread the love You have shared with me to many others. I desire to be that blanket of hope to the next lost soul or tormented spirit. I pray and bless my family in Christ who may struggle in unbelief and confusion. I declare Your mercy upon them and their families. You are so good to us Jesus and You were a sacrifice for all. Let Your innocent Blood wash over every part of me today as I follow Your steps. Show me the way Lord, for I am Your vessel. In Your strong Name King Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.