S.T.A.N.D.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
I Corinthians 16:13

Growing up I was in the choir. Yes, I was a choir boy. But I loved it. I loved the singing, the performances, the spot light of the solo, and the blending of many voices. I started in choir in elementary school and continued all the way up to college. I remember the choir teachers, the happy singers, and the countless rehearsals. But one memory I will never forget happened in junior high. It's as if it were yesterday, standing in front of the crowds at Christmas singing Christmas carols to the older people in the retirement home. There I was in my spot giving all my joy to the world when suddenly the room went black. I don't know if you've ever fainted, but this being my first time, I had no idea what was happening. One second you're fine, then the next you're seeing black spots and trying to stand up after coming face to face with the ground. I was helped to my feet and after I regained awareness, told what had happened as I was offered a drink of water.
So what did happen? Outside of the overly warm temperature inside to counter balance the cold temperature outside, I did one thing wrong. Can you guess? If you've ever been in choir you know the answer. I locked my knees. I did what choir teachers tell you to never do. And under the heat and nervousness of the people watching, I fainted. I did not hold my stance.
The Bible talks about standing. In both I Corinthians 15:58 and 16:13, Paul warns us to stand firm. In the same book, Paul tells us to stand under God's way out when we are tempted (10:13). Gideon was told to have his troops stand firm and God would smite the enemies without the soldiers making a move (Jud 7:21). Paul again tells us that when we have done all we can, we stand (Eph 6:13). But what does standing mean? A simple definition is our 'established position'. I have my own definition: Solid, Tenacious, And Never Defeated. Look at these verses with me using this as our definition.
"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, be Solid, Tenacious, And Never Defeated." Eph 6:13.
"Be on your guard; be Solid, Tenacious, And Never Defeated in the faith; be men of courage; be strong" I Cor 16:13.
If I had held the position in choir of standing, but not locking my knees, I would not have fainted. But because I did not stand correctly, I fell. So that is the challenge. How are you standing? Are you wobbly, close to fainting, propped up against the wall, or relying on crutches? If so, I urge you to stand on the solid rock. Are you Solid, Tenacious, And Never Defeated? There is only one way to get there. Let us all STAND on Christ.

KNOCK, KNOCK WHO'S THERE?
When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."
Judges 6:12

Knock, knock
- Who's there?
Boo
- Boo who?
Don't cry, it's only a joke.

Knock, knock
- Who's there?
Impatient cow
- Impatient cow...
MOO!

Knock, knock
- Who's there
Mighty warrior
- Might warrior who?
Mighty warrior you, Gideon

Can you imagine being Gideon? There you are, minding your own business at work when suddenly an angel appears to you, calls you a mighty warrior and commissions you to save Israel from the Midianites. I am not sure how you would react, but as for me, I would be a little scared. I more than likely would have a list of reasons for why the Lord should consider someone else. Gideon had excuses. He reminded the Lord of how his clan was the weakest, and how in his clan he was the runt of the family. Yet the Lord questioned Gideon, "Am I not sending you?" This story continues where an army that started out as 32,000 strong was reduced to 300 men as the Lord had told Gideon that Israel would not be able to boast of her own strength, but rather of God's. Gideon and his 300 men went down to the Midianite camp, blew their trumpets, broke their jars, and held not only their torches, but also their position. The Lord caused the men of Midian to turn on themselves, and those that fled were caught and killed.
Knock, knock. Who's there? It is "you". But who? Is it the "you" you call yourself, or the "you" God calls you? God calls things that are not as though they are. Personally, I see myself in the mirror and I don't always see what God sees. When I was 10 I received a prophesy that I would be a pastor. This was who God was calling me to be. Now here I am at 34 and that calling has not yet been fulfilled. Sometimes I question if God can still use me - a divorced former porn addict. But God's word to Gideon gives me hope, because God sees what I cannot. God saw Gideon's leadership and called him a mighty warrior. God sees my passion and heart and calls me a minister. What does God see in you and then call you? Knock, knock. Who's there?

THE CHARACTER of a SPONGE
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

I don't know about you, but when I was in college I made it a point to have fun. Sometimes that fun got in the way of studying, which never seemed to be a good idea come test time. I would hurry and do the quick overview study just minutes before the test and then pray for God's grace to cover my lack of preparation. In fact, my prayers would go something like, "God make me a sponge that soaks up this book, and then squeeze me out when it is test time." Funny thing about sponges, though, they only retain as much as they soak. Meaning in my case, my five minutes of study was quickly squeezed out.
If it is true, though, that when the sponge is wrung out it displays what was originally soaked up, then the question for all of us is what are we soaking up? Here in this passage, Paul tells us that our thoughts need to be on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. I can't speak for you, but I know sometimes that is my hardest struggle. My spirit wants to reflect God and His awesomeness all the time, but my flesh gets in the way. So when it is time for me to be wrung out, the product is an embarrasment. My squeezed character comes out looking like the dirty water of sin, anger, lack of patience, pride and selfishness, revenge, and maybe even a drop or two of hate. I say this in a funny way, but the truth is there. What we soak up is indeed what comes out when we are squeezed.
Here we are in a new year...2009. The year is still early and this challenge is so attainable. It is the same challenge I give to myself. In 2009 I want to be more Christlike. When Christ was squeezed, He still showed love and compassion. Even in times when He was tired and the crowds would not leave Him alone, He still made time for them. When I am tired and my kids need my attention, I split 50/50 between being compassionate and lacking patience. But I am resolving to be more Christlike. When life squeezes me, I want to be spilling back out His character. So how is that possible? Well one way is by getting in the Word. More and more I am realizing the importance of daily being in God's Word. And prayer. Prayer is one of our weapons of armor (Eph 6:18), yet for me seems to be mainly a dinner and bedtime thing. God wants us to reflect Him; God wants us to lead others to Him when we are squeezed. So I resolve to work on this. Will you join me?

WHERE OUR THOUGHTS LIVE
...and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
II Corinthians 10:5b

I can't remember where I heard this, but it might have been in a song one time. The thought has always stayed with me, even though sometimes I wish it would leave me alone. What consumes your thoughts controls your life. Think about that with me for a minute if you will. What we give so much thought to is who we will become. For instance, my background is splattered with thoughts of pornography. There was a time when I meditated so much on the pictures and acts and fantasies that I could not look at a woman without thinking about acting on what filled my mind. To see a woman was to see a way that I could be satisfied. I lived consumed with greed, selfishness, and pride. I lived a lie and became a good actor, but God knew the truth.
In 2000, when my wife walked out on me for the constant mistreatment, lies, and addictive behaviors, I was forced to see and to re-evaluate my life. I had lost my job, my wife, and just weeks before walked through our first miscarriage. Life was ugly, and I hated myself. But why? Easy to answer. My thoughts were not God's thoughts. My actions were not God's actions. And my behavior did nothing to bring others to Christ. In all honesty, I wanted God to kill me because of the shame and hopelessness I felt.
When I tell people about this part of my life, I tell them I was looking at three main decisions. One was death, either by my doing or God's. A second was to go on without changing, just continuing to live the life I was, with or without my wife. And the third was to begin to call out to God for help like never before. I chose the third. I began to seek counseling and to get real help. I began to get honest with myself about myself. But the biggest change was that I began to give these thoughts to God. It didn't happen overnight, and I'd be wrong if I said that I didn't have my share of stumbles while getting help. But as I started the course of renewing my life with God and believing His thoughts about me, my thoughts about my actions began to change.
The Bible says we are to take captive our thoughts. Why? Because let's face it, whether you have been in my shoes and dealt with pornography, or self image, or fear and worry, or what have you, we get so wrapped up and consumed in it that we cannot see beyond this mirrored reflection of ourselves. It always stays in the 'me'. How will this affect me? Our consumption needs to be on God. What you think about the most will become your idol. That is why we are to take captive our thoughts. There should be no other god before our God.
I challenge you to question who is your god? Is it God, or something else? What or who consumes your thoughts? Who is your puppet master?


STUBBORN FISH
Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth. Psalm 31:3-5

I admit, I am not the world's best fisherman. I have gone out fishing a few times with my 6 year old son this year, in hopes of showing him the ropes, but yet always come home empty handed. All this misfortune causes me to think, "What can I do to be a better fisherman?" In talking with other fishers, I see I have the right bait, I attempt when the fish should be hungry, and I even fish in areas where other fisherman next to me are reeling fish in with every cast. But for some reason, the fish won't eat my bait. Honestly, it is a little frustrating coming home empty handed, knowing I was out smarted and outlasted by stubborn fish.
But let's flip this idea around. Let us pretend for the moment that we are the fish, and the devil is the fisherman. I wonder if we are as stubborn as the fish that I spend hours trying to catch. Are we the kind of fish that fall so easily for the shiny hooks or tempting bait? Do we know our weaknesses? If a line is cast and we see the bait of money, power, sex, or what have you waving itself in front of us, will we be quick to bite the hook and suffer the fate, or will we be like Joseph and flee the trap?
We all know the story, how Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery and served in Potiphar's house. When no one was around, Potiphar's wife waved herself as bait in front of Joseph. What a great example of fleeing sin Joseph leaves for us. He had no concern for what he left behind; his only concern was to get away. Even though his life seemed to get worse before it got better, the truth is God rewarded his constant faithfulness. And when we turn our backs on sin, and run from the lures that dangle in front of us, God will reward us also.
I challenge you today to think about this truth. Are you willingly allowing yourself to toy with the thought of sin, to test the desire of playing with the bait, and of dancing with the enemy? Or are you one of those stubborn fish who see the hook and bait dangling in the water and yet instead of testing the limits, run the opposite direction? David prayed that God would free him from traps laid for his destruction. I pray that is also your prayer.