Answers to questions Native North Americans are asking.
I made the decision to follow Jesus. It's been three years now, but the problem is, I can't seem to live and stand for Him for more than a short period of time. I see others doing it. What can I do to make it?
This is a great question; no doubt asked by many born-again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Ephesians 6:10–18, the Apostle Paul wrote of the spiritual battle we are constantly engaged in and how we are to respond while in the battle. He wrote of the helmet of salvation, which protects our minds. Our thought life greatly impacts what we believe and live by on a daily basis.
To stand strong in the Lord, our minds need to be renewed by the truth (this is an ongoing and deliberate everyday process, Romans 12:1–2.)
Paul also mentioned the breastplate of righteousness. A breastplate on a Roman soldier's armour protected all the major organs including the heart. The heart greatly influences the direction of our life, so we need to continue to surrender our heart to the Lord on a daily basis-so He can fill it with the Holy Spirit of God, who gives us the victory in living life on the earth.
Then, Paul talked about the belt of truth, which holds everything in place. The truth of God must rule our mind, heart and soul, and every Christian must endeavour to deliberately seek after the truth of God for himself or herself.
Then, there is the shield of faith. Our faith in Christ is what extinguishes the fiery darts of the enemy. Continue to make steps to grow your faith in Christ, through continued fellowship in a Bible-believing church.
The sword of the Spirit is mentioned as an offensive weapon. Satan and his minions will continue to attack and tempt us. However, through memorizing key verses, we can protect ourselves from these attacks.
Then the footwear-we should be shod with the gospel of peace. Paul instructs the Ephesian believers to put on the whole armour of God and having done all, to stand. . . .
The Christian life will continue to be an upward battle, but the Lord will give you strength to stand.
Frank Ward and
his wife, Lori, serve
at Kikino, Alberta, in pastoral ministry with the Kikino Bible Church. Frank is of the Cree tribe in Alberta.
I understand your feelings of discouragement. We all have those moments where everything seems to be going great, and then-bam!-it feels like you're sinking.
The apostle Paul spoke to this in the book of Romans. He understood the weight of his own sin and felt powerless because of it. He confessed, "For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I." (Romans 7: 15). So how do we break free from the power of sin?
Our answer is found in the very next chapter, in Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Our walk with the Lord is a spiritual one, and we must walk by faith. That means pursuing Christ, drawing near to Him and trusting in what He has done.
Jesus condemned sin and defeated it at the cross of Calvary (Colossians 2:14–15). Sin has lost its power and dominion over us. Jesus did not come to condemn us-on the contrary, He gave power to those who believe in Him (John 1:12).
So why do we still struggle with sin?
Too often, we stop short of truly knowing Jesus and standing on His promises. Meanwhile, our adversary is relentless in his pursuit to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He succeeds when we neglect prayer-and many give up when they don't see quick answers.
What do we need to do?
The Lord calls us to fully depend on Him. Only in Him can we overcome all our enemies. He is the One who will walk with us through adversity and be our help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).
In fact, He will take you places you never imagined. When you wake and when you rise, have sweet communion with Him. Share your heart and cast your cares upon Him, for He wants you to know Him as your Heavenly Father, friend, healer, defender, and deliverer (1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 91:2).
The first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart (Matthew 22:37). When you walk in this love, you will know the hand that holds you, and He will keep your foot from slipping (Psalm 121:3). You will prosper in all your ways. And when you stumble, He will be there-with arms wide open-to pick you up again.
Sonia McLeod is Plains Cree/Saulteaux. Although raised in London, Ontario, near the Oneida settlement, she is a member of the Key First Nation in Saskatchewan with family ties to Cowessess First Nation. She and her husband, Derek, currently live in Kittanning, Pennsylvania.
