Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for Stand Strong
Organizing the Inside – Day 356 Strong Through the Storm
2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Psalm 1:2-4 (KJV)
After a huge storm you look around and see many fallen trees. The weaker ones never stood a chance, they too are utterly destroyed. Their roots had not grown deep and secure. Even the trees you once thought appeared majestic and strong are now torn apart by strong winds. But, as you survey the damage you find that not every tree has fallen. The trees which are like the trees of Lebanon have not been moved. Their roots are deep, with trunks that are 20 feet or more in circumference. Palm trees are also known for their strength and long life. They stand tall and live long, having been through many storms over the years they continue to flourish. When the storm’s winds are raging they’re known to sway and bend but they do not break. The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Psalm 92:12 (KJV)
Strong Christians are rooted in the Word of God; they stand tall through the storms. A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Psalm 91:7 (KJV) They have been planted by the Lord Himself; they grow deep roots in Him by spending more time in His Word. There they find strength and life-sustaining nourishment to stay firmly planted through both triumph and trials. Discover the joy of growing deep roots in Christ. Experience the unshakable confidence of knowing you shall not be moved. Make spending quality time reading, meditating and remembering God’s Word a top ranking priority every day.
The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted. Psalm 104:16 (NIV)
Organizing the Inside – Day 286 Keeping Cool in the Pressure Cooker
16So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. 19At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 21Daniel answered, “O king, live forever! 22My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.” 23The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Daniel 6:16a, 19, 21-23 (NIV)
Read Daniel 6
Daniel stood firm in his convictions. He trusted God and found strength through his relationship with God. Daniel’s heart was settled; serving God was the only option for him. When the time came and Daniel’s faith was tested he remained cool and was not afraid. His trust in God made all the difference in his choices. Daniel did not cave in to the pressure to stop serving God and bow to the king instead. God rewarded Daniel and punished his enemies. Daniel’s faith even provoked a change in King Darius and inspired change throughout the land. The story of Daniel is an encouraging reminder for us. Our faith will prevail if we put our trust in God.
7 Non-negotiable actions we can extract from the life of Daniel.
When our faith is tested we must:
1. Keep trusting God and don’t give in to the pressure of the circumstances. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:2 (NIV)
2. Keep serving God no matter what jealous people might think, say or do. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7 (KJV)
3. Keep praying as you always have. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10b (NIV) Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Mark 14:38 (NLT)
4. Remember when you are at your weakest then you are strong. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
5. Remember your position may make you a target for the enemy. But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4 (NLT)
6. Remember God will use your faith to show Himself mighty through. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 (KJV)
7. Stand firm, and don’t be afraid to face the impossible. For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37 (KJV)
Daniel was a man of great faith. We are made right with God through our faith in Jesus Christ. Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” Galatians 2:16 (NLT) God has given us all the faith we need to stand firm in the face of adversity. Victory is based upon faith, not what we do. We must however, act upon our faith to experience victory. Resist the temptation to give in when times are tough. God will reward your decision to stand up for your convictions and not bow down under pressure. Your faith can have a huge impact on others. Your life is a living testimony to the sustaining power of God.
Organizing the Inside – Day 279 Please God, Not People
Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Galatians 1:10 (NLT)
Don’t be a people pleaser.
How many times have you hesitated to do something you felt was right because you considered what someone thought? Caring about another person’s feelings is something that any loving Christian should do; but that’s not the real issue. Let’s take a moment to look at what happens when we care what others think. When you spend time caring too much about what people think, you can easily lose yourself. How many times have you held back, and even resisted doing God’s work (His way) because you stopped to consider what others might think. People who cave under the pressure to please others, often do so at the cost of forfeiting their God-ordained future.
You shouldn’t be surprised.
Don’t expect people to understand your sold-out lifestyle. Don’t be surprised when even some who call themselves Christians raise an eyebrow at how you choose to raise your family, or your prudent decisions not to indulge. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:14 (NLT) Remember what Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21 (NIV)
Please God First.
If we do the good that we know to do, then God will deal with those who would rather judge and criticize instead of praying for success. When we fear rejection we often act outside of God’s will in order to avoid experiencing the emotional uncertainty that’s associated not being accepted by man. There comes a time when the choice between pleasing God and pleasing man is obvious. Don’t make the mistake of trying to please people because of emotional dependency or a need for approval. Life becomes complicated when we don’t put God first. Seek God first and He will guide you in every decision. The choice is yours; choose to do what pleases God. For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT)
Apply knowledge:
- Know what you should forget about. (what people think)
- Know what you should remember. (God’s Word)
- Be led by the Spirit, not fear and not emotions.
- Know that God’s rewards for obedience are real.
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 