Stand Firm - Part 1 - a podcast by Steve Dow

From the church email newsletter:

August 20, 2021

Church Family,

When we see the condition of the church, our country and the world we often conclude we are living in tough times.  I certainly won't dispute that.  However, when we compare our life in the US with other parts of the world we must conclude we are blessed.  Certainly, there is pressure toward and against Jesus Followers even in the US, but no one is going door to door to arrest or execute us, yet.

As believers we must determine that regardless of the climate of the world toward the Church we will not fold, fear or faint.  We will STAND FIRM in the Promises of God.  In order to do that, we must be filled with His Holy Spirit everyday.  We must be submerged in His Word everyday.  We must spend time in prayer everyday.

Truth: none of us are strong enough to stand against the attacks and plans of the enemy without the Spirit of the Living God dwelling richly in us.  God's Church, the one Jesus declared, 'on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it', will always live in victory!  That doesn't mean we won't endure some tough times.  But it does mean we will NOT succumb to pressure those tough times place on our lives.  

Today, realize the Kingdom of God is much larger than you, me and All Nations Church.  The Kingdom of God, His Church, is world wide.  Will you stop today and pray for fellow believers around the world who have it much tougher than we do? Specifically, pray for believers in Afghanistan who are being hunted and killed by the Taliban.  Pray that Holy Spirit will infuse them with strength to STAND FIRM in the face of persecution, imprisonment and death.

When we read the New Testament, we soon realize the church grew the fastest during times of intense persecution.  Please understand, I am not wishing for that to occur here, but we must consider the reality that as Jesus tarries His coming, it is a very real possibility.  We have  seen and are continuing to see the system of the world slowly applying a strangle hold to the Church.  But let me remind you, His Church thrives and grows under pressure.

When a farmer places a seed in the ground, he knows it will take days for that seed to sprout.  Have you thought about that process?  The seed is being pressured by the soil.  There is no sunlight but complete darkness.  The rain beats down on the seed applying more pressure.  Then the sunshine somehow causes the life that was already in the seed to begin to sprout.  The forces that were pressuring the seed, soil and rain, then are used to feed the growth of the seed.

Please understand, the pressure being applied to the Church will not cause the Church to die, but to bring new LIFE!  Today, pray for the persecuted Church around the world.  Pray for believers in Afghanistan, Cuba, China, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Russia, Nigeria, Sudan, Eritrea, Yemen, Venezuela, North Korea and the list continues on.  Pray that Holy Spirit will strengthen believers and their witness will be strong and powerful in these dark places.

This Sunday I am starting a new series from 2 Thessalonians 2, entitled Stand Firm.  Please read this chapter, begin to meditate on it and pray for the Sunday service.  Pray that God will soften hearts, bring powerful conviction and fill believers with His Mighty Power!  

In order to stand in tough times, we must be filled with Holy Spirit!

Remember, Sundays-9am-three adult classes are meeting.  In the Chapel-Gifts of the Holy Spirit, in Room 103-The Great Wealth Transfer and in Room 105-Fight Like a Girl.

Come be a part of what God is doing through All Nations.  Bring someone with you who needs to hear a right now word for the day in which we live.

Come Expecting,

Steve and Yvonne Dow

Further episodes of All Nations Church, Tallahassee Florida - Pastor Steve Dow - Sermons, Teaching and Inspiration - Reaching All People by All Means With the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

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