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Listen while you read: "The Strife Is O'er"1 (Lyrics) |
Recently, I was overjoyed by a lovely surprise visit from my grandson and his wife, both RCMP officers, who drove a long distance to come by with their 11-month-old baby daughter.
As we were in conversation, the baby was crawling on the floor entertaining herself. Unexpectedly, we noticed her standing and holding onto the coffee table. She had figured out how to get up on her feet, but we had missed her standing up on her own. As it was a first-time accomplishment, she smiled a brilliant and victorious smile, as if to say, "Look at me now!" We were delighted.
It didn't take me long to think of the song, Stand up, stand up for Jesus.
Ephesians 6:13-17 – Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (NKJV)
My great-granddaughter's experience is just like when we get up and stand for Jesus! After crawling on the sinking sand of the worldly scene that has nothing solid to offer, when we reach out to Jesus, He lifts us up to stand on the solid Rock of Ages. Our first few steps become many and noticeable in our lives that include the more abundant way, truth, and life.
The Bible that I had on that coffee table now has a new home in my grandson's home, so as to keep it in the family. My dream is for my youngest great-granddaughter to find the Word of God reliable not only to stand on as solid ground but also to use as the double-edged sword of the Spirit.
I picture her standing up, hungry to know more of God and Jesus for herself and desirous of being a sunbeam to shine around this world with the love of God! We love because God first loved us.
Many of us received the faith from our fathers and mothers, soldiers of the cross of Christ Jesus. How important it is for us to pass on the faith to our grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and generations to come!
Prayer: O Holy One, thank You for blessing generations of believers on the way of Jesus — truly the more abundant way. Sincerely thankful, we pray in the only Name given to us in which to pray: Jesus! Amen.
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Thank you, Kirsti, for this encouragement.
Thanks for the wonderful story and application, Kirsti.
Oh, the sweetness of that message. Thanks for the fine reminder.
So good to hear from you again and what a meaningful meditation.
What a very special memory and complete hope that the younger generation will have your faith.
(TX)
Thank you, Kirsti, for sharing this devotional with us. As I read, I could picture your wee one. What a delightful image and lesson drawn. Blessings.
Amen and amen! So good to hear from your Kirsti. We’ve missed your offerings on Presbycan daily devotionals.
(NH)
Well done Kirsti! I had been thinking about you a lot lately as l had not seen one of your devotionals for awhile. How wonderful to be able to pass your bible down to your grandson and his family. Be blessed my friend!
Hi
Yes… I will pray your granddaughter grows to know the Lord. The greatest gift we can give our grandchildren is that direction with thoughtful prayer.
Blessing.
Kirsti, we recall just your story, seeing our own children stand for the first time, thanks for the memories. Our sons, wives and grand-children fill our hearts with overflowing joy. They are following our Lord and Saviour.
(Ontario)
Hi Kirsti,
Thank you for this lovely devotional and a callout to proclaim generational blessings. How lovely to see your great-granddaughter standing up and holding onto the coffee table!
Blessings.
What a joy it must have been to see those first steps your great-granddaughter took.
My heart was so touched as I read your devotional and could feel your love for Jesus!
The prayers and spiritual vision you have for your family and others is beautiful. Thank you for writing!
Dear Kirsti,
You are so right. What a privilege we have to share Jesus with new generations. Your devotional encourages me to continue on with my great grands. They seem to remember what they’ve learned from the visits previous. I am overjoyed for Jesus that we can share with great grands.
Greetings Kirsti,
Thank you for this sweet devotional relating the “standing up” experience of your little great granddaughter to the importance of standing up for Jesus. Yes, He truly is our rock to rely on at all times.
Blessings and may you continue to enjoy times with the family generations.
(B.C.)
Hello
Congrats on your great granddaughter’s accomplishment of standing on her own. It is amazing how they can figure this out and also praying with you too that she will also learn and depend on Jesus as she stands on His Word and promises.
God bless
(ON)
Thank you for this lovely story, Kirsti. May we all be moving ahead in our own understanding of standing up for Jesus. So many situations – I don’t understand why it takes so long to learn how to mention Him and speak His Word into conversations! He gives us lots of opportunities – but I don’t always seem to recognize them. May I be more and more responsive to His leading.
Nice to see your name Kirsti.
And what a delightful message.
Hello
Thank you for your devotional today, I enjoyed it very much and felt encouraged.
God bless.