Be Strengthened Pt2 — Remember The Basics

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10 NKJV.

It’s pretty clear that we need to be strong for the days we live in. But purely human strength will not cut it. We need a supernatural Divine strength which is above and beyond the realm in which we live. I take great courage from our text for this Brief Word, with the words, “be strong in the Lord”, and then in those incredible words, ”and in the power of His might”.

The ability to survive and live above and beyond our circumstances, the ability to live in the world but not affected and tainted or coloured by any of its culture, is not our own ability. It is His. We need that, “power of His might”, these days.

The question is, how do we get that?

Let me share with you five (so you can remember them easily by the fingers of one hand), absolute basics of the Christian life.

I’ll never forget (the great sailing legend) the late Sir Peter Blake, when he was asked what was his key to success? He just simply said (in effect) “always, always, always, remember the basics. Always check and recheck and re-recheck that the basics are done properly”.

It’s just the same and true of any sport, or just about any activity. Sports teams constantly work on the basics, practising, practising, and practising, so that they become second nature.

It is much the same in our Christian life. So here are five foundations, or five basics to our Christian life which will enable us to connect and stay connected with the Father and thus be empowered with His might to live our life in this world.

1. Feeding

We feed our bodies every day, not just because we enjoy it, but because it’s necessary for life. It’s just the same for our spiritual life. What are we feeding our spirit on regularly? This is about regular Bible reading, Spiritual formation, learning, studying, taking on board, delving into, and keeping a constant input of the word of God. No matter how old we are in the Lord, this is a good reminder and encouragement to maintain, (as we should already have established) a regular daily time with the Lord to receive His word and strengthen our relationship with Him.

2. Fellowship

We usually associate the word fellowship in regard to our relationships with other Christians. But the word is first used in reference to our relationship with Christ.

The English word fellowship is translated from the Greek work Koinonia, which means connection, relationship, intimacy — with God of course. It’s a word rich in meaning and carries with it things like, a shared life, partnership, intimate association, spiritual and relational unity. It also implies belonging, mutual participation, and shared purpose.

Imagine that? It’s that kind of relationship God wants with us. It’s that kind of relationship God wants with you. And that is one of the basic fundamentals of Christian living. Rich Fellowship with God! I love it. I trust you do too.

Of course fellowship with God’s family, the church, is important as well — but fellowship with God a prerequisite to fellowship with one another.

3. Family

Here’s the first two verses of a little poem I wrote for my wife’s birthday just recently.

I know, I would not have such a life,
Were it not for, my God-given wife.
I’m happy to say, through testing and pain,
My troublesome living, she’s turned into gain.

“Ministry” has been our life from the start,
Never a chance, of less than our heart.
She’s always given, the best of her best,
Because of this, so many are blessed.

I’m so thankful for my amazing wife, and my incredible family. At the start of my Christian walk it was just me. Now it is me and one wife (whoever want’s more than one is crazy), two children, eight grandchildren, AND, three great-grandchildren! I am a blessed man. They have stood by me through thick and thin. There’s been many ups and downs, health scares and happy times, challenges and victories. And that is not just my life but right across our whole family group. But my family have been a key part of the fact that (by the grace of God and to His glory) “I’m still standing”, when many of my contemporaries who started with me in those early days are not now walking with the Lord.

Oh yes. Love your family. Fill their emotional tanks. Bless them. Pray for them. All of them. They keep us grounded, they keep us honest, they keep us real, and they keep us in their prayers. Wow!

4. Function

Have you found your identity in Christ, and your function in life? Have you discovered your talents, the God-given gifts He’s placed in you, the call He has upon your life, the area of your service in the community and the church?

One great and important revelation to receive I believe, is the revelation of who God is. When we begin to understand who God is, His identity, we can then understand what He does. It’s much the same with our lives. If we first discover our identity in Christ, then out from that flows what we are to do. It’s always Identity first, then Activity second.

Find out who you are in Christ, and then you’ll naturally and easily discover what you want to do for Him (which is His will for you). Because activity flows from identity.

5. Future

It’s good to be future minded. Because we have an absolutely amazing future. We need to think and talk and discuss and study about this more I believe. I’m so looking forward to being in the presence of my Lord and Saviour, serving Him with a new body that doesn’t shake, or get weak and out of balance.

We don’t belong here. We are here, but we are not of here. We may even suffer somewhat while we’re here, but we are looking forward to the absolute joy of being in His presence and glory, and in the splendour of His Majesty, and in the unmatched unfathomable love of the Father…, forever!

So many scriptures come to mind about each of these points. But I’ll leave you to ponder these points and add them in for yourself.

So these basics, Feeding, Fellowship, Family, Function, and Future, built into our lives as a regular, ongoing, daily habit, become foundation stones upon which our spiritual life is built. God will be pleased to pour into you and I His strength, His power and His might.

We are not made strong simply by positive confessions or motivational slogans; but by truth confessions, confessing Jesus and His word! He is after all the Living Word.

May this year be a year where you find yourself becoming stronger in the Lord, and more and more full of His might, as you go about your daily lives serving Jesus.