Stand Fast
God only knows
God makes His plans
The information’s unavailable
To the mortal man
We’re working our jobs
Collect our pay
Believe were gliding down the highway
When in fact we’re slip slidin’ away
Those are the words of Paul Simon. A rather cynical perspective, wouldn’t you say? God, powerful as He may be, is removed from the affairs of all of us little people. He doesn’t speak to us, hasn’t the courtesy to even let us in on His big plan. We simply glide down the highway of life, uninformed, unaware of the profound reality. Life is just slip sliding away. . .so the song goes. Deal with it.
This song could melt some of us into a puddle of melancholy goo. But before we run to the freezer to soothe our inner angst with a pint of Häagan Dazs, we need to hear the words of another Paul. “Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved” (Philippians 4:1 NKJV).
How can you stand fast when at times your life feels like it is completely out of control?
Let me answer that question with another question. How do you think Paul the Apostle could have the stability to endure all those beatings, storms at sea, stonings, shipwrecks, cold, hunger, attacks against his authority, attacks against his message, attacks against his integrity, and still be a rock?
He gives us the answer in verse 20 of the previous chapter. “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (NIV).
Okay. . .if that doesn’t blow your mind, you didn’t get it. Read it again. . .slowly this time and think, for Pete’s sake!
- Our citizenship is in heaven!
- And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ!
- who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control,
- will transform our lowly bodies so they will be like his glorious body!
God is able with His power to bring everything under His control! That is how you stand firm in shaky places. You, right down to your littlest concerns, are under His control. So you can take your hands off the steering wheel!
In the big and small things we face in life, no matter if it is a crisis or a petty quarrel, when seen in the context of the hugeness of the universe—and the God who hangs the stars in space and also loves you—this truth should have a stabilizing effect.
If not, perhaps it is because you haven’t really believed it is true. Can you see your life in the view of God’s ultimate big picture? Until you do, you won’t have the inner stability to stand firm.
Maybe you need to step outside your front door and look up at the night sky and the vastness of space. If you can see the Big Dipper or Venus, let it thrill you. Or simply google the Hubble telescope and gaze at the images of the universe. Think about how great and powerful this God is who has etched you on the palms of His hands!
- Remember who you are in Christ.
- Remember all Christ has done for you.
- Remember where you are headed.
37 comments
Justine | September 22, 2011
Thank you for that Cathe! Such an important reminder, in the midst of our shakiness and unease-ness, I need to remember what God has done for me!
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Greg | September 22, 2011
Thank you, Cathe! I'm in a slump and your challenge is refreshing!
God Bless!
Greg
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Cheryl | September 22, 2011
Very encouraging to me. I am going through a real trial and am a new believer 1
year this month. Love Greg's notes too. Cheryl
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Rene' | September 22, 2011
Thank you!,
My family needs to hear this today as we pray for our family member in ICU~
Debbie, my sister had a massive stroke after a heart attack from a car accident. She is in critical condition yet stable. We have dealt with a whole lot of death and it is breaking our hearts & minds. However knowing Jesus has helped me be strong as I sing unto the lord his praise~ Neh 8:10 keeps me going! Thank you so much for the love & mercy.
Blessings,
Rene'
Michelle | September 22, 2011
Praying for your sister Debbie and your family. God Bless you :)
Laura | September 22, 2011
I am praying for your sister and family also. God bless you.
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Natalie | September 22, 2011
Also praying for Debbie! May the Lord's healing hand be upon her and may He bring you comfort and peace.
Mayra '.' | September 22, 2011
May God grant you with the peace, strength, and support you need. God Bless and guide you and your loved ones.
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Ann | September 23, 2011
Rene, may Jesus wrap Debbie up in his grace, and fill you and your family with His Holy Spirit, to endure this time and to know that God can heal. God bless you all.
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Nancy | September 22, 2011
Thanks for the upbeat and true response. If the world could only see the awesomeness of the God we believe in and live for. I know from personal experience just how amazing God can be if we just have faith. God Bless you and your family.
Nancy
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Lisa | September 22, 2011
Greetings,
Exactly what I needed today. God is interested in my sometimes "little life". I was created for His pleasure.
Need to reflect on this and remember it daily. My life is not a coincidence, It is blessed with love of the Father and only through His love and Grace, I know my final destination.
Thanks for your inspiration
In Jesus
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Sandra | September 22, 2011
Cathie, I value your tremendous encouragement. I have a strong faith that continues to carry me through extremely difficult hardships. The past affair in my marriage, the recent death of a grandparent, a family member contemplating suicide, the near death of my spouse, selling our business, moving to another state, division in my family over accusations, it goes on and on. But, it is POSSIBLE to STAND! Because Christ's strength is the "retro-fit" in our earthquake ridden zone! Everytime a new crisis hits, instead of feelig sorry for myself, I simply say, "God is Able!" Nahum 1:7 says, "The Lord IS good; a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He KNOWETH them that trust in HIM!" So powerful. It is so uplifting to receive your encouragement. It always seems to come at just the right time! Blessings to you, Pastor Greg, and your entire family!
Rosemarie | September 23, 2011
Sandra, your comments have touched me and I truly can empathize with what you have been, and are going through in your difficult times of hardships. When God's plans are not our plans we tend to lose our ways and are tossed into the unknown. Those are times I too have learned to turn to God and His Words for strength, hope, and begin to trust in Him. Sandra, keep drawing that strength, planting your feet on solid ground and trusting in God for He too will see you through to better and brighter days ahead.
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Roxanne | September 22, 2011
Thank you.
It is amazing when someone else points out things we have not noticed before. As you have said, we tend to get carried away by melancholy songs and not dissect the message contained therein. I have been a victim of that in the past. I wonder how many other people have noticed the train of thoughts that this song and many other songs like this promote. Thank you once again for sharing your lovely teaching.
God Bless you and Greg and your lovely family.
Roxanne
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Gia | September 22, 2011
Thank you for your uplifting messages and for puttin things in perspective for me to understand. This comes at a perfect time when I'm sitting here talking to God about why my son hasn't been able to land a job. I know He has something good for him in store. Thanks Cathe...
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Gina | September 22, 2011
This scripture hit the spot. My daughter was out in the world. She has been saved for 3 months and she is homeless. Please keep her in prayer that God opens a door for her and her family. We went to the LA Harvest and it was awesome how many people got saved. She really enjoyed it and so did we. Keep LA in prayer, we need it. Thank you Pastor Laurie
Michelle | September 23, 2011
Hallelujah for your daughter being saved! Always praying for LA. Thank you Lord!
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Michelle | September 22, 2011
Thank you Cathe for sharing the encouragement I need :)
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Kelli | September 22, 2011
Rene,
Jeremiah 17:14
Jeremiah 30:17
Peace and Love in Jesus name...
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Nicole | September 22, 2011
God is hugging my husband and I as we speak! Getting through another trial and cannot make it without Him. He is our father who loves us dearly, believing in Him makes everything right. We don't make a move without Him....Thank you for your words and amazing emails.
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Marianne | September 22, 2011
Needed to hear this. Have been overwhelmed with being my Dad's caregiver and juggling work.
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Mary in Minnesota | September 22, 2011
Thank you Cathe! How can we not be encouraged by the apostle Paul? His steadfastness and willingness to claim his failings and his strength in Christ is a lesson that never gets old. God's sovereignty is a gift that takes the control away from us and gives us freedom in Christ. I'll continue to unwrap that present every day!
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Andrea | September 22, 2011
An uplifting, much needed reality check, for me. I need reminders rooted in the Truth. I am not my own and this is not my home. I am a child of the King. Nothing can compare to His promises, His glory. Praise the Lord. Jesus Lives!!
God Bless!
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IAgnes | September 22, 2011
Where did I read, "Without God, nothing is possible and with God everything is possible?"
Cathe, looking forward to your lessons in 'Virture' being on the web again this year in Harvest. Thanking you in advance.
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Liza | September 22, 2011
Keep these nice emails coming Cathe.
Thank you!
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Mary | September 22, 2011
Thanks Cathe for the truth of God's Word. His promises are the foundation on which we stand, our hope is in HIM!
God bless you and your precious family...
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Mary | September 22, 2011
Thank you for this. I have been standing firm for just over a year praying for my marriage. My unsaved husband is living with another woman trying to fill his God sized hole in his heart with things that are just not going to work. Please pray for my family. I know it seems crazy to the world, but I just don't feel like God wants me to give up on my marriage. Thanks again for the encouragement.
Alicia | September 22, 2011
I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers, Mary. I respect you greatly for responding to God's call on your life, despite what the world may think.
Tasha | September 23, 2011
I stand in agreement right now in Jesus name...that your husband will not be able to sleep at night. I pray that God will remove him and convict the two of them. You continue to stand strong and be that Proverbs 31 wife.
GOD BLESS!
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Bri | December 5, 2011
Mary, I too am in your situation. I will pray for your marriage. Stand strong. The Lord is our guide, we won't be moved!!!
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Patti | September 22, 2011
Cathe, That is why I only listen to Christian music and my husband and two sons......This world is so lost, depressed and needs the Love of Christians...as your Pray LA did it was so amazing to witness how the Lord is working though Harvest & all Calvary Chapels that our Lord Jesus is using mightily in these last days and all we can do is spread the Gospel....Lord bless you & your Husband and beautiful family.
Be Joyful
The Braden's of Calvary Chapel Gulf Coast
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Dyanne | September 22, 2011
Amen my sister~God's Universe we are the specks in His eyes. Can't wait to spend this fall season with you and all the sisters. God Bless
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Karen | September 22, 2011
I read this and try to understand. I have been a Christian my whole life, always in church. My 18-year-old son was killed in a car wreck 8-28-10 along with his best friend who was driving. His girlfriend and her friend were injured in the wreck. Six months later my dad died. My world has been shattered and my faith has been shaken so very much. He was my only child and I have raised him as a single parent. I question God all the time, I am angry and bitter. My life is forever changed, but I do have the hope of seeing him again because my son Brantley was saved. No words of comfort help at this point. I cry all the time and I just want my old life back even though I know it will never be the same again. I think about Paul, Job, David and all the others that went thru so many trials and I remind myself that God is bigger even when I do not feel Him with me. Thanks for this message. It reconfirms to me what I already know, I just have to be reminded. Please keep me and my family in your prayers.
Mayra '.' | September 22, 2011
May God take away the burden you carry with you. That is a very heavy load, I hope one day you hand it over to God. I do not and will not understand your pain but I can see the weight on you and I'm sorry. God Bless and carry you through the end...
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Joyce | September 24, 2011
Karen - My heart breaks for you as I have also lost a child to a sudden accident & your whole life changes in an instance! All my hopes, dreams & visions of growing old with a daughter are gone forever & this is something I have learned to accept (over time) because it was not God's Will for my life. I would strongly encourage you to seek comfort from the Lord instead of being angry & bitter at Him for taking away your son. The times that my sorrow was so great, I was sobbing, & my heart literally felt like it was going to break in two were the times I called out to the Lord for comfort & peace & He came immediately! I could FEEL the comfort He was giving me.
Karen, nobody on this earth can give you the kind of comfort that God can give you now in your time of sorrow. Please take it! God understands - He sent His only child to die for us.
As you go thru the worst trial of your life, don't walk thru the sands alone. Let the Lord carry you!!
My heart and prayers go out to you!!
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Michelle | September 25, 2011
Hi Karen,
I am so sorry for your loss. My closest friend lost her then 17-year-old son, his girlfriend, and both her mom & dad to murder by one young man in 2001. It has challenged her faith. We cannot understand the mind of God (Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.) I am personally dealing with having Stage 4 cancer and have learned that some days I can only make it one hour at a time. Dear Lord, Please let Karen feel your presence. John 16:33 Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
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Atuweni | September 23, 2011
Cathe,
This is of great encouragement to me. My husband is struggling with alcoholism, and many a time he has told me he will not drink again etc, and and after a few days he is back to the heavy drinking. I and his family have been praying for him and sometimes I get discouraged when he falls back to old habits. I feel like, "Does God really hear my prayers, is He really in control?" I am afraid that if it gets completely out of control I will have to leave the marriage and then my question would be how would a God who hates divorce allow this to happen.
So this reminds me that God is still in control and I constantly need this reminder in this very strange and difficult season of my life.
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Lisa | September 23, 2011
I pulled up my email list yesterday and saw the words "Stand Firm". It was if God was talking directly to me. Just reading those two words encouraged me yesterday. So I couldn't wait to sit down & read the rest today. Thank you for your very encouraging words.
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Ana | September 23, 2011
Cathe, "Thank You" for sharing your wisdom with us women... We at times just want to be in control and need to trust in God and "Let Go of the Wheel and Let God Do His Work" ~ Amen
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Wanda | September 23, 2011
Thanks for the encouraging words knowing that our God is always present in our lives, even when friends fail you.
Say a prayer for me, my heart is hurting.
Claire | September 24, 2011
Dear Wanda,
Sweetie I am praying for you! Your my sister in Christ and I want you to know you are loved! You are lovable and I know how it hurts when friends turn their backs on us. My heart is hurting right now as well for that same reason, and if that isn't bad enough my family has been so utterly hurtful to me as well.
I just want you to know your not alone and I am glad to be able to pray for your hurting heart. Praying God brings you beauty in your pain and that He holds you in his Almighty hand during your time of pain. Much love sent your way from my end of this world!
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Jonalee | September 23, 2011
Cathe, thank you so much for the encouragment. I am a new Born Again Christian, will be 2 years this Nov. 18. This will be my 2nd Spiritual Birthday in the Lord. I am a single parent. Thank God I'm Blessed with 2 wonderful children. My son, 23 & daughter,19. I think of how can we forget God in everything that we do in our life. We do get so much distractions esp. in this time & age. We all know we are living in the end times. This reminds me that God is so much in CONTROL of our life. I know God has individual plans for us all. I try to be sensitive to His voice & thank HIM for calling me to Him to serve HIM. May God continue Blessing you & your family. Pastor Greg, I love those devotionals you send through the e-mail everyday. I make it a point to share that to all my friends as my way of sharing God's words to them too. Surprisingly, a few had asked me already to take their names off the list & don't want to receive it. I feel sad for them because they're missing Jesus. I just pray.
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Kim | September 23, 2011
Divine intervention, that's what your message was to me today. Your ministry is such a blessing to me....God keeps sending me His HUGS through you. Thank you for doing God's work.
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Rita | September 23, 2011
God is able, help us to walk by this-let us know YOU're there no matter what we may face. YOUR power enables us to do YOUR will!
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Sherri | September 26, 2011
Thank you Cathe for your words of wisdom. This reminder is just what I needed at just this hour as I got up this morning to face a new day! He knows and cares about every detail of our lives and we can continually praise Him for that and oh so much more. God bless you and yours!
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Patti | September 26, 2011
Thank you Cathe for this reminder, that in the midst of this storm, God is in control and He will give me the strength to stand fast. My son is suffering severe depression and experiencing suicidal thoughts. He is questioning his faith and angry with God. I am trying to be encouraging, helping to keep his mind off what is hurting, but to also be firm in expressing my belief in Jesus as my Savior, my belief that GOD is always GOOD, and firm in what is acceptable behavior. He is fighting with me over going to Church; I insist, but wondering if he is hardening his heart each time he goes. God give me wisdom here. He has prayed for God to speak to him; and God has, but he forgets (I am praying for God to keep talking.) Please pray for comfort, healing, and salvation for my son; patience, wisdom and strength for me. Thank you again for this reminder that God will carry us through our storms. I know how much I love my son, and remind myself daily that God loves him oh-so-much more.
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Glenna | September 27, 2011
Wow! God's timing is so amazing, wonderful and mindblowing. This message has been in my email account for several days now. In fact, I was getting ready to file it into my Harvest.Org folder to read at a later time when the title caused me to pause.
As I read through and especially verse 20, in fact I had to force myself to go back and reread it (it made me smile when you said if that doesn't blow your mind you need to reread it) I was uplighted by the statement 'glorious body'.....you see I literaly just hung up the phone from my weeping 24 yr old daughter who got news today that her careless behavior may have resulted in a serious health condition. Glorious Body gave me peace that God's got this and although I don't know what the days will bring for my daughter I know who is bringing them and while I don't want my children to hurt, He doesn't either....you see we have been praying for our daughter for many years to come back to Jesus, my prayer is that He will reach her now.
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Myrna | September 28, 2011
Again, I can only say that you are such a delight... such a blessing of encouragement and I thank Jesus for giving us such a wonderful sister in Christ who uplifts so many without even knowing it. I love your ministry and I cherish your insight. Heaven, heaven, heaven... that's what it's all about and I can't wait!
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Bang | September 28, 2011
Thank you Cathe for reminding me of that, I really appreciate it. It is so true that when we face trials and problems in our lives we always forget that God is bigger than what is going on in our life, and I thank HIM always when I remember that HE is there always for us.. And I can't wait till we get to heaven so I don't have to have any of these problems. lol Love you.
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Susan | October 26, 2011
Thanks Cathe for all your helpful writings! I just read this entry today (10/26) and have a couple of thoughts I'd like to share with you and the readers. It's been extremely helpful to me to realize that Paul wasn't ALWAYS a rock. In 2 Cor., for example, he was very upset about what was happening in the Corinthian church. He even "despaired unto death" 2 Corinthians 1:8. The Lord helped me see that no human can always be a rock.... Then also in 2 Cor. 2:12-13, Paul says that even though God had opened a door for him in Troas, he "had no peace of mind because I did not find my brother Titus there." Further on in 2 Cor. 7:5-7, Paul experienced conflicts on the outside and fears within. God knew Paul needed extra help, so he sent Titus to come alongside Paul to help and comfort him and to bring Paul good news about the church at Corinth! ----The Lord used this story of Paul and Titus to encourage me that we humans, even an amazing human like Paul, need more than just hunkering down with Him. I'm so thankful he understands our weaknesses and sends us human helpers too!
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Dollie | December 8, 2011
Thank you Cathe - I will print this out for my mom - she is going through trying times - arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis - spinal stenosis - is in pain all the time. I try to get her to focus on what God has done and is doing in her life and that she should have great expectations and hope in the Lord - God has every situation covered and knows it all. She won't go through this forever. Thanks again for this article.
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