Everyone has problems. Everyone has needs. You find yourself in a situation; it passes, and another takes its place. That’s life! It’s how you handle it that determines whether you are an overcomer or not. It can be a mountain or a speed bump. You determine what it is.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
“Well, I’ve been praying for the Lord to give me some strength.” Quit praying about it and start being it. Be strong! I tell you, it is a matter of setting your heart.
Years ago, while I was still quite immature, a minister came down from New Hampshire to help us get a church started. He was a man who had a lot of revelation. When questioned about it, he said, “I have revelation because I’m determined to have revelation. God called me to minister and I need revelation to do my job. So I come to church determined to have it. I have a little spiritual red wagon that I leave right outside the church door. I put all my problems and the dealings of the Lord that are on me in that wagon. Then I say, ‘Lord God, I’m going in here to minister Your presence. To do that, I need revelation. When I come out, I’ll take everything out of the wagon and You can start dealing with me again.’”
Do you see? If you forgive, God forgives. If you seek God, He seeks you. Draw nigh to Him, and He will draw nigh to you. You determine how God ministers to you, how He treats you, and how He responds to you. If you determine and set your heart, saying, “I’m going to be strong in the Lord”, then God responds, “He means it! I’ve found someone who will deny self to be strong in My strength.” It is what you say, what you really believe, for you are responding to the Word of the Lord. Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. Job 22:28. Wow! Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee – speak it! Decree it! This is the truth! Respond to the Word of the Lord. God wants you to be strong in Him. Believe it! Decree it! Be it!
Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power
of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye my be able to stand against the wiles
of the devil.
Now, why is putting on His armor the next thing? Because as soon as you decree that you are going to be strong in the Lord the enemy will come along to test you, to see how strong you really are. “But I thought I had power. I thought I was strong….” Listen, you don’t stop being strong because the enemy hits. You set your heart and continue to advance. We will live by that which comes out of the mouth of the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:3).
Ephesians 6:14-15 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and
having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.
All these things are saying, “Do this!” Be strong in the Lord! Put on the armor of God! Stand therefore! Set your heart! Be determined! Decree a thing and it will be established!
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God. I don’t know if you are aware of this or not, but of all the people involved in Open Heavens Ministries I am the most needy of all. Pray for me. Believe for me. Rebecca and I stand alone most of the time. We can’t back off because we’re responsible. We can’t do that. We can’t change course. We can’t take a holiday. We can’t take time off, and every one of us needs to be the same way. We have to stay on course. We have to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Our brothers and our sisters in the Lord are depending on us.
There is spiritual battle, situations, circumstances, everything seems to be crowding in sometime, but we are not backing off. We are not stopping; we are walking on. We are not going to quit. That is what it takes. Make up your mind! You are walking on with God!
I bless your hearts. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Copyright © 2008 by Henry DuBose