Standing Shoulder to Shoulder

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that--whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent--I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel. Phil. 1:27

I still remember standing at the stoplight waiting to cross over the street. As a young girl, probably five years old, I guess I was feeling especially grown up that day, because when my mama reached to take my hand, I jerked away. I took my own hand and with great self-confidence said, “I hold my own hand.” I did just that! I took one hand in the other, even swinging it the same as it felt when my mama held my hand. I’m sure she didn’t let me take off on my own, being certain to have a firm grip on my arm.

I have fought this independence all of my life. When I am quick to open my own door, carry my own load, and solve my own problems, my husband is quick to turn on his best little girl voice saying, “I’ll hold my own hand”. We all entered the world the same way, with the words, “I, me, mine” never having to be taught. The independent nature not only rolls off our lips, but also beckons us to jerk away from God and other’s to just do it my way.

For many, self-reliance was deeply ingrained convincing us that to need help was a sign of weakness. We stomp off into life, swinging our own hand and finding ways to do life alone.

There is a huge problem with this mode of living. God never intended us to do life alone. His plan has always been for us to live in total dependence on Him and function as an individual body part connected to the body of Christ. I am learning to love leaning into those that God has placed around me for His purposes.

The body of Christ is to function just like our physical bodies. Each part, each organ is dependent on the other to work properly. When one part of the body is out of sync, the entire body struggles. Our key verse speaks of standing firm with one spirit and one mind, side by side or shoulder to shoulder.

The Lord has made this very real to me through the years as He has shown me through personal experiences, the power of standing with one another. I have dropped my hand and allowed others to come alongside of me. Where I am weak, they cover me with their strengths. Where I am unequipped, they are equipped. When I am blind, they bring discernment. When I am crushed and broken, they bring wholeness. When I am tired and weary, they pick up the slack. When I am confused, they bring wisdom. When I’m waiting on God, they wait with me. When I need to talk, they listen. When I am easily distracted from the straight path, they speak truth.

How do we get there?

Shoulder to Shoulder

It’s not a program. It’s not a study. It is not a method. But it is an intentional decision to be connected with others for the Kingdom of God.

"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

• Admit you need others in your life, because God said so.

• Drop your hand holding and extend it to others

• Invite a few others into your inner circle

• Meet regularly for encouragement and sharpening

Contact Touching Hearts to learn how to begin a Shoulder to Shoulder Group by emailing us at info@touchinghearts.tv.

"The Call to Stand"

“Put on God’s whole armor (the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies), that you may be able successfully to stand up against (ALL) the strategies and the deceits of the devil. “Eph. 6:11 AMP

While studying the armor of God found in Ephesians 6:10-18, the word “stand” continued to glare at me. The word stuck out like braille lettering created for those with no sight or low vision. It was as if God was saying, “It has always been here but you have not seen it. Pause and run your fingers across the word and understand what I am calling you to.”

After walking with God for over 50 years, I see that He speaks to me in patterns. When I hear it once, I take note, but when it comes in multiples I know He has an important message for me. Within 3 short but powerful verses, the word “stand” appears four times. Paul was calling us to a soldier stance, fully armed, equipped, and empowered to stand in the midst of any attack. Our key verse says that we can stand up against ALL the attacks and strategies of the enemy. The passage goes on to teach us how.

Stand up against all the strategies and deceits of the devil

Resist and Stand your ground

Stand firmly in your place

Stand therefore; hold your ground

Stand is more than a word; it is a call. Do you hear it? Will you answer?

This is not an impossible command, but possible through His mighty power that lives within all who are saved. We have been given authority and power to stand.

In 2017, I have answered the call not only to stand myself, but also to rally others together to stand. The church has been rocked to sleep. We have longed for and feasted on comfort food instead of power food. We have fainted when we should be brave and courageous. We have relaxed and settled in as if it is half time. We have turned a blind eye while the enemy has stolen from our marriages, our children and grandchildren, our finances and the fulfillment of God’s dreams. We have given the enemy access to everything that Jesus purchased for us. It is time for the church of Jesus Christ to Arise and Stand as the mighty army of the Lord. We must become enraged over the enemy’s fierce attempts and stand together fully armed.

If the verse is true, let’s move into action. Do I have any takers out there that want to stand in His mighty power and take back what the enemy has stolen? Do you know how Webster defines steal? To take (another person's property) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.

No! He must return it because the blood of Jesus purchased it for us, His children. The enemy must loosen his grip as we put into action the power in prayer. “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7. This call requires a personal “YES” followed by action. I will not only read the word, or rub my fingers across the letters, but I will hear the call and I will arise and stand.

As we stand, others will come alongside us and “Stand Shoulder to Shoulder”. (Don’t miss next week’s blog!)

So what am I to do?

• Answer the call personally. As you have read these words I believe the Spirit has stirred hope and desire within your heart. Give a new surrendered “YES” to the Lord. Physically stand up and declare to the Lord you want to “STAND” in His mighty power as the army of the Lord.

• Women, you are invited to rally together with us for our Fayette County STAND CONFERENCE on April 22. (Details below)

• The “STAND” team would love the privilege of bringing the conference to your city. As you stand, will you help sound the trumpet with us? Please reply for more information.

• Read next weeks blog to learn another way to be a part of “STAND”

Click on picture for more information and to register

How Did I Get Here?

Totally ignorant of where we were driving, we followed the directions of the GPS voice for over an hour, only to arrive in a vacant shopping center. Even though the voice continued to say, “You have arrived at your destination”, we knew this couldn’t be the correct place. We turned around driving in the opposite direction to see if we missed a street veering off before the ending destination. After retracing our steps three times and finding no other option, we made a phone call confirming the address. We re-entered the address, but upon the storeowner’s advice, this time we added the zip code. (I assume many others had visited this desolate place.) To our surprise we had traveled about forty-five minutes in the wrong direction. I well remember wanting to throw the GPS out the window! We have since discovered many secrets to blindly following the mysterious GPS voice.

Have you ever felt that the voice of God has misguided you and led you on a rabbit trail only to end up in a desolate place?

Sometimes life feels like you have plugged in the wrong address or definitely misheard God. “This could never be where He was leading.” You prayed for wisdom and direction, while clinging to the Bible verses on guidance. Heading in what you believed to be His direction, you suddenly found yourself in a vacant shopping center or a dead end street. “How did I get here? This cannot be right. This is not the destination I was expecting.”

In the moment, we are tempted to throw out His voice and go our own way. Can we be so bold to say that at times His ways are shocking; sometimes even feeling cruel? The enemy tempts us to believe the lie that God cannot be trusted.

The real question we should be asking is:

Will I trust that He knows what is best even when it looks horrible, shocking, and devastating?

He surprises us and shows up in the oddest circumstances. He never leads us to a dead end street just to play a joke on us. Neither does He get confused and lead us to the wrong city. He is Sovereign God watching over the details of our lives leading us in His paths. He can always be trusted.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:11-13

In the midst of confusion and surprise destinations, stop and look around. Guard your heart and look for Him. Be still and wait on Him. You will find Him if you look for Him. His guidance always leads you into His plan, His best.

I recently heard the song, “Find You Here” by Ellie Holcomb. The song lets me know that Ellie has experienced vacant shopping centers and dead end streets but found God’s peace and joy in the midst of it.

“Lord give us your eyes to see you in the midst of all of life.”

“Find You Here”

Ellie Holcomb

It's not the news that any of us hoped that we would hear It's not the road we would have chosen, no The only thing that we can see is darkness up ahead But You're asking us to lay our worry down and sing a song instead [Chorus] And I didn't know I'd find You here In the middle of my deepest fear, but You are drawing near You are overwhelming me, with peace So I'll lift my voice and sing You're gonna carry us through everything You are drawing near You're overwhelming all my fears, with peace You say that I should come to You with everything I need You're asking me to thank you even when the pain is deep You promise that You'll come and meet us on the road ahead And no matter what the fear says, You give me a reason to be glad [Chorus] And I didn't know I'd find You here In the middle of my deepest fear, but You are drawing near You are overwhelming me, with peace So I'll lift my voice and sing You're gonna carry me through everything You are drawing near You're overwhelming all my fear [Bridge] Here in the middle of the lonely night Here in the middle of the losing fight, You're Here in the middle of the deep regret Here when the healing hasn't happened yet Here in the middle of the desert place Here in the middle when I cannot see Your face Here in the middle with Your outstretched arms You can see my pain and it breaks Your heart [Chorus] And I didn't know I'd find You here In the middle of my deepest fear, but You are drawing near You are overwhelming me with, peace So I'll lift my voice and sing You're gonna carry me through everything You are drawing near You're overwhelming all my fear with peace Rejoice, rejoice Don't have to worry 'bout a single thing, 'cause You are overwhelming me with, peace! Don't have to worry 'bout a single thing You're gonna carry us through everything Overwhelming peace...