IN CHRIST ALONE - I STAND BY MY MAN

This summer has been quite different for our family. Over the course of 5 weeks, Steve or I have been gone from home without the other. In Genesis, when God said that it is good for man and woman to have each other -He knew! Marriage is a difficult proposition for anyone entering into it... especially if both people are extreme opposites in personality and style. The journey often starts when opposites attract. Then, the journey often comes to a halt when opposites attack. For us, it has been a long road. Yet, here we are, married for 36 years and really missing each other when we are a part!

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I've thought a lot this summer of what it would be like to be without him permanently. I would not like it! I've thought about the concept of "standing alone" as a single person or widow/widower. I wouldn't like it! My only solace would be that I can stand alone in Christ.

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How thankful I am that God said that the two should become one! I am so thankful for my godly christian husband who allows for me to stand with him as one in Christ! His old cell phone used to have a ringer when I called him. It was the song: Stand by your man! I miss it! It's a reminder for me TO STAND ALONE IN CHRIST WITH MY HUSBAND!

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This summer Steve traveled to Nebraska to see his parents (and 2 of his 12 siblings) and then spent time in two parts of Missouri with two of our sons and their families (which of course includes 2 and 3/4 grandbabies). Last week he was able to "get away" on a trip to Canada planned for our Life Group men. Here are a few of the hundreds of pictures he brought back from his adventures:

CANADA:

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1. View from cabin window:

2. A reminder that God always keeps His promises, no matter where we are on this planet:

3. Sunrise

4. Charlie's family owns the cabin and hosted the trip:

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IN CHRIST ALONE... STAND...

MEDITATION MONDAY

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Usually, on Monday's, I will make some connections to Sunday's sermon. Yesterday, I left church services, after communion, to come home and be with our daughter who suffers from chronic pain. Usually her pain levels run from 8 to 10 on a scale of 1 to 10. Recently it's been worse and this past week with the hurricane out in the Atlantic, her pain reached about a 15.

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It is at times like these that we feel so helpless - yet not hopeless. It's times like these that my humanity wants to throw in the towel. It's times like this past week that I say, more often, "LORD come quickly!" Yesterday, Jessica said, "Mom, it's gonna' be okay!"

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How does one keep that kind of attitude? Today, I have no sermon to meditate on... but I have a song!

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"In Christ alone
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His Hand
'til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll STAND."
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IN CHRIST ALONE

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

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In Christ Alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live

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There in the ground His body lay

Light of thw world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave he rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

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In Christ alone I place my trust

And find my glory in the power of the cross

In every victory let it be said of me

My source of strength My source of hope

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In Christ alone I place my trust

And find my glory in the power of the cross

In every victory let it be said of me

My source of strength My source of hope

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In Christ alone

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His Hand

'til He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

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SINNER SAVED BY GRACE... SANCTUARY... SAINT... STAND...

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD SATURDAY

Catch Up and Must Do

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Back in March, I was prompted to write a two verse poem as an off-shoot of one of my favorite poems. This week, in lieu of our theme, I have added a third verse. The new three verse poem is below. The other poem can be read at the bottom left of this blog. May you make the decision to STAND as a SAINT and SANCTUARY for the living God - our heavenly Daddy.
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ONCE I BECAME A CHRISTIAN

written by Patti Sikes 3/11/10
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Once I became a christian,
I became "a sinner saved by grace".
Once I became a christian,
I could hang out at my new Daddy's place.
Once I became a christian,
I could be a vessel of His light and love...
A SANCTUARY for His Holy Spirit from above.
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Once I became a christian,
darkness was no longer my friend.
Once I became a christian,
it was on Jesus I began to depend.
Once I became a christian,
I had a huge reframe...
I became a SAINT by the blood of the Lamb...the Name above all names.
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Once I became a christian,
the battle truly began.
Once I became christian,
dark world powers ramped up schemes to get me to sin.
Once I became a christian,
I began to learn to STAND firm and pray,
and put on my heavenly Daddy's full armor-
because there are evil days.
(See Ephesians 6).


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SINNER SAVED BY GRACE - FAMILY OF SAINTS... STANDING FIRM...

I have wondered this week about the STAND that is in our scripture memory. How hard it would be to STAND FIRM without the family of God working together to encourage each other! When we each strive to put on the FULL ARMOR OF GOD, we each become an army of christians. It reminds me of the song:
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We're a rainbow made of christians,
We're an army for the LORD.
There's no weapons that can harm us,
Christian love is much too strong!
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I am part of a group of believers who are truly the family of God! God has graced us with His love as He teaches us to love transparently. We understand that we can do nothing on our own. Life is not about us! It's about God! Therefore, what better reason for all of us to wear God's armor?!!!?!??!!
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As we've begun this discussion on God's armor this week, the inclusion of sin in the discussion is so important. Sin is direct disobedience to God. Sin is evidence of not trusting God. Sometimes sin is caused by the fear of stepping out in faith. I'm so thankful that God gives us grace! At the same time, He expects us to learn how to STAND in His armor. Consider the two scriptures below about STANDING and my comments. Join me, sister, in STANDING FIRM and encouraging the family of God to do the same.


1 Corinthians 10:12-14

So, if you think you are STANDING FIRM (an armor wearer's action), be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful (Jesus is our SHIELD OF FAITH); He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can STAND UP (an armor wearer's action) under it. Therefore, my dear friends (family of God), flee from idolatry. (anything that you give more importance to than God)

In the next scriptures pay specific attention to the plural prounouns in bold:

• we = the family of God
• our = the family of God
• us = the family of God

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Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith (Jesus is our SHIELD OF FAITH)

• we have peace (Jesus is our FEET/SHIN PROTECTORS OF THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith (Jesus is our SHIELD OF FAITH) into this grace in which we now STAND. And
• we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but
• we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

We... us... our... it's about God! It's about God's family! We're all in this together. Plus, it's a little hard to sit while wearing armor! So, sister, STAND... STAND FIRM...

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SINNER SAVED BY GRACE... GOD'S ARMOR... JESUS...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

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I love this time of year! Families have either just finished preparing for the new school year or are doing it right now. It's similar to New Year's resolution time. Many are looking at all the possibilities of learning, growing, and transforming within this new school year.
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I love the butterfly analogy when it comes to just about anything. It's about TRANSFORMATION!!!
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This week as I think about myself as a SINNER SAVED BY GRACE, my mind immediately goes to our scripture memory for the month. Without God giving us His own armor to wear for this journey of life, there would be no protection... no victory... He doesn't have to let us wear His armor - but, He does! That's called GRACE! You and I can STAND in confidence because of that gift!

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When speaking of GOD'S ARMOR, Ephesians 6 tells us two things to specifically do: STAND FIRM and PRAY!
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Ephesians 6 also tells us about 6 pieces of GOD'S ARMOR to wear and use. TRANSFORMATION occurs in the wearing and the using:

• BELT OF TRUTH: Transformation from listening to the devil (who the Bible refers to as the "father of lies") to listening, trusting, and obeying "The Way, THE TRUTH, and the The Life" - Jesus Christ! Thank You, Jesus, for Your grace gift of truth! You are the great I AM... You are THE TRUTH!
  
• BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: Transformation from trying to earn our salvation by "doing the right things" to understanding that our own righteousness is "filthy rags" in comparison to Jesus' righteousness. "Doing the right thing" then becomes an offering of thanksgiving to Jesus Christ for letting us wear His righteousness. Thank You, Jesus, for Your grace gift of righteousness! You are OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS!
  
• FEET / SHIN PROTECTORS WITH THE READINESS OF THE GOOD NEWS / GOSPEL OF PEACE: Transformation from buying into the devil's bad news, negative thinking, and argumentative ways to becoming a bearer of good news, positive thinking, and peaceful ways. And then there's that word "readiness" - always being ready to be a bearer of good news and peace. Thank You, Jesus, for Your grace gifts of good news and peace! You are THE GOSPEL and our PRINCE OF PEACE!
  
• SHIELD OF FAITH: Transformation from worrying, distrust, and disbelief to trusting/believing that Jesus is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He can do. Thank You, Jesus, for Your grace gift of Your own faith! You are FAITHFUL & TRUE, our STRENGTH & SHIELD.
  
• HELMET OF SALVATION: Transformation from eternally lost... hopeless... without a savior... to eternally found... full of hope... with The Savior... Thank You, Jesus, for Your grace gift of salvation! You are SALVATION, the SAVIOR of the world.
  
• SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD: Transformation from words full of lies... empty words... to a living & active word that you can stand on and trust. Thank You, Jesus, for Your grace gift of being the living & active Word of God! You are THE WORD and JUDGE.

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Are you making the connection? When you put on the FULL ARMOR OF GOD you put on JESUS. What a grace gift!

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Transformation starts with an acorn that is watered and given Son-shine.

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It takes time for it to become an oak tree.

Transformation begins with a caterpillar having lots of pains and struggles to experience the metamorphis to a flying, soaring, and graceful beauty. Be patient with yourself.

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This old life journey is a battle... it's hard... it takes time...

We already know who wins! Jesus is the KING of kings and LORD of lords... He and only He can get us through the TRANSFORMATION... He is our VICTORY!

SINNER SAVED BY GRACE... STAND...

WOMEN IN THE WORD WEDNESDAY

In February, our scripture memory was from Ephesians 2. We learned of Christ's amazing grace! Here in chapter 6, the christian is offered the amazing gift of wearing God's armor. Now, that's grace!

• WHAT? put on your Daddy's armor... not part of it... all of it... the full set...
• WHY? because evil days do come and God's armor will protect you from the devil and his powers
• WHY ELSE? because wearing God's full armor is how you'll be able to STAND your ground against the devil

That armor includes: TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, GOOD NEWS, PEACE, FAITH, SALVATION, THE SPIRIT OF GOD and/or GOD'S WORD. It also includes STANDING FIRM and PRAYING.

Let's get started with the first part that we'll put to memory this week:

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Ephesians 6:13-14

Therefore put on the full armor of God,

so that when the day of evil comes,

you may be able to stand your ground,

and after you have done everything, to stand.

Stand firm...