Old Paths Baptist Ministries
Be Stedfast

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

  1. Be Saved.
    1. Don't rely on your parent's salvation or your spouse's salvation or your church membership. If you are unsure or know you are not really saved, please don't let another day go by without being positive of your salvation.
    2. Without salvation we can not claim God's promises. We will not know God's real love and God's real joy in our lives.
  2. Be into God's Word daily.
    1. To learn to be steadfast we need to be in The Bible
      Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
      God says when we are in His Word and thinking and meditating on it daily and obeying it, then we will prosper and have good success. God's success is not necessarily the success as our world sees it.
      1. We can have real peace and joy in our hearts.
      2. God may allow us to receive material things that we can use for His Glory.
    2. To learn to be stedfast we need to learn that the Bible is:
      1. Our guide or our compass in life
        Proverbs 3:5-6
        Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
        We should live our lives trusting in God's word.
      2. A mirror to show us how we look compared to Jesus.
      3. A book that convicts us when we read it.
  3. Be Stedfast.
    1. Definition- Firmness of Mind or purpose, Fixed in Principal, constant, firm, resolute, not fickle or wavering.
      1. We need to learn to keep our eyes on the Lord and not on our circumstances or feelings or on trying to please men.
        Ephesians 6:5-6
        Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
      2. It is hard at times to stay focused on things of the Lord when we are bombarded by things of the world everyday.
        1. TV
        2. Movies
        3. Magazines
        4. Even unsaved family or un-saved co-workers.
        5. Health Problems can keep us from feeling well enough to serve.
    2. God gives us warning in His Word about the importance of staying stedfast or diligent.
      2 Peter 3 speaks of Christ's return.
    3. God wants us to live Holy while we are waiting for His return.
      2 Peter 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
      Note the "be diligent" so we will be found blameless.
      Also note verses 17-18
      Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
      These verses caution us to "…beware lest…" we fall from our own steadfastness.
    4. God desires that we should think on Godly things.
      Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
      Psalm 77:6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. We need to keep a check on ourselves, make sure we are doing what we are doing for the Lord and not for our own praise or for others.
  4. Be Teachable.
    1. Be open to making the changes God wants you to make in your life.
      1. Psalm 25:4 - Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
        We need to ask God to show us His path for our life.
      2. Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
      3. Psalm 27:11-14
        Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
        It is so important that we stay in God's path so we can receive strength as we live in this old world.
  5. Be Unmovable.
    1. Definition - "That which cannot be moved or shaken, firm; fixed."
    2. Have you ever had your foundation shaken and your faith tested? Or have you ever wondered what God may be doing in your life? Maybe God has taken a loved one home unexpectedly. Maybe someone you care about does not seem to feel the same about you. Has someone you trusted betrayed your trust? Have you been faced with a divorce or an illness or severe debt?

      There are times as we go through this life thinking nothing can ever shake my faith and then suddenly your very foundation is shaken. That is when only God can help.

    3. Be Sure your foundation is based on the Rock of Jesus Christ and not on man's word.
      Matthew 7:24-25
      Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
    4. When we read God's Word and obey it, God considers us wise.

      We are living right now in what could be truly the last days. A time when those around us are building their foundations or lives on money, fame or things of the world. These foundations will not hold up under the pressures of the day.

    5. When we don't read God's Word we miss out on God's great source of comfort and Peace

      .
    6. Psalm 34:18-19
      The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

      Psalm 46:1-3, 7
      1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 7The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

      These are just a few great promises from God's word that we can read and claim.
      We can Be Stedfast in our faith but only through being in God's word, obeying it and claiming His promises for our lives daily.

Written by Sharon Bliss



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