"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24"
STRENGTHby Elder Lin Brown
Psalms 27:14
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.Psalms 31:24
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.Psalms 119:28
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.1 Pet er 5:10
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.Our Bible study today is built around the word strengthen . The Lord’s people are to be strengthened in their faith and courage in the Lord Jesus Christ even in times of great adversity and seemingly hopelessness. I am of the mind set that there is no hope apart from the hope that is to be found in the Lord. We in this fellowship have less reason for despair and hopelessness than others in Arminian churches , because we believe that everything , that happens, takes place in the plan and purpose of God. If that is so, then we know and understand that everything that comes to us , comes to us through the hand of a Loving Heavenly Father Who has only our best interest at heart. Therefore brethren be strong in the Lord and the power of His might whatever circumstances you may face throughout the coming hours of this day. Strengthen and be strengthened as the each minute passes by.
BE STRONG
Deu 31:6
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.Eph 6:10-18
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;The words above continue our theme of strength in the Lord. Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us specifically that we are not to fear the enemy no matter who they may be . We rely on the Lord Who is always with us and Who never fails us or forsakes us. The words of Nahum remind us that the Lord Himself is a stronghold in the day of trouble and all of the ones who are trusting in Him are known by Him. When we come to Ephesians 6:10-18 , we come to the real meat of what it means to be strong in the Lord. We are told there to put on the whole armour of God and to take a stand. Before we look at the various individual pieces of armour, let us look at this first- that the command comes to the child of God as a soldier who is to prepare for battle . Could there be anymore timely instruction for the people of God now? Yes, whether we are rich or poor, male or female, young or old , all of us who have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb of God are members of His army which are in a war with the forces of evil within and without of the believer. We are given the command to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. What greater encouragement and reason of hope could be given than that we are in the Lord and we are empowered by His might. Yes dear ones, empowered by the might of the Almighty God. No wonder John says greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Let us take great courage from these words as we put on the whole armour of God
