THE BATTLE BEGINS
June 10, 2011
Some of you may remember a line from an old hymn which beckons us to “join in the battle for truth.” This battle, as the Home page article alluded to, is ancient and ongoing. In a way, my own personal struggle begins as I launch this website. For quite some time, I have weighed the positives and negatives for sharing my insights with others, and it feels at one moment as if I am inspired, and the next, totally discouraged. There can be no doubt that this is a spiritual battle, and it is real.
On the positive side, let me list four things that have motivated me to “join in” the battle. First, Scripture holds me accountable to use the gifts God has given to me, and writing is one that others have said I possess. Second, we are also commanded by Christ to let our lights shine, and I want to be obedient to share the joy I have received from my revelation of Christ as Savior, Lord and Creator of all things. Third, I have a great desire to proclaim the amazing truths I have learned and experienced from God’s Word, which I am sure will encourage and lift up the hearts of many who are struggling in the darkness of this world, as I once did. And lastly, I wish to glorify the Lord, who is worthy of praise and honor above all else, because of His great mercy and kindness to me and to all He has made.
However, the enemy has worked incessantly to try to dissuade me by reminding me that many others are more skilled and trained in writing than I am. Of course, he is correct, as he often is, but it is not my job, nor my intention to set myself up as the answerer to all questions. I am simply a witness to the truth and grace of God.
Another enemy attack that is not easily deflected is the fear of personal attacks and confrontations. Though I know these will be forthcoming, as the Scriptures often confirm that persecution awaits all those who serve the Lord, I have always remembered the quote from Theodore Roosevelt, who said “it is not the critic who counts….The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again….who spends himself for a worthy cause….that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.” And in reference to these stirring words, what cause is more worthy than the cause of Jesus Christ?
One of the sharpest daggers of the enemy was thrust into my heart on September 11, 2001. Before then, I had been writing articles and sharing them with my family, friends and co-workers. But as I tried to get my mind around the events of that awful day, my pen was silenced at the enormity of our nation’s pain. But now, I have decided to rejoin the battle for truth because, even though we definitely live in a day of great darkness, the truth is never silent to those who will listen.
“There is no wisdom and no understanding and no counsel against the Lord.”
Proverbs 21:30
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10
“-here is the conclusion of the matter – fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13
“Turn to me and be saved ALL YOU ENDS OF THE EARTH; for I am God and there is no other” Isaiah 45:22
– Steve Stone
THE BATTLE BEGINS
June 10, 2011
Some of you may remember a line from an old hymn which beckons us to “join in the battle for truth.” This battle, as the Home page article alluded to, is ancient and ongoing. In a way, my own personal struggle begins as I launch this website. For quite some time, I have weighed the positives and negatives for sharing my insights with others, and it feels at one moment as if I am inspired, and the next, totally discouraged. There can be no doubt that this is a spiritual battle, and it is real.
On the positive side, let me list four things that have motivated me to “join in” the battle. First, Scripture holds me accountable to use the gifts God has given to me, and writing is one that others have said I possess. Second, we are also commanded by Christ to let our lights shine, and I want to be obedient to share the joy I have received from my revelation of Christ as Savior, Lord and Creator of all things. Third, I have a great desire to proclaim the amazing truths I have learned and experienced from God’s Word, which I am sure will encourage and lift up the hearts of many who are struggling in the darkness of this world, as I once did. And lastly, I wish to glorify the Lord, who is worthy of praise and honor above all else, because of His great mercy and kindness to me and to all He has made.
However, the enemy has worked incessantly to try to dissuade me by reminding me that many others are more skilled and trained in writing than I am. Of course, he is correct, as he often is, but it is not my job, nor my intention to set myself up as the answerer to all questions. I am simply a witness to the truth and grace of God.
Another enemy attack that is not easily deflected is the fear of personal attacks and confrontations. Though I know these will be forthcoming, as the Scriptures often confirm that persecution awaits all those who serve the Lord, I have always remembered the quote from Theodore Roosevelt, who said “it is not the critic who counts….The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again….who spends himself for a worthy cause….that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.” And in reference to these stirring words, what cause is more worthy than the cause of Jesus Christ?
One of the sharpest daggers of the enemy was thrust into my heart on September 11, 2001. Before then, I had been writing articles and sharing them with my family, friends and co-workers. But as I tried to get my mind around the events of that awful day, my pen was silenced at the enormity of our nation’s pain. But now, I have decided to rejoin the battle for truth because, even though we definitely live in a day of great darkness, the truth is never silent to those who will listen.
“There is no wisdom and no understanding and no counsel against the Lord.”
Proverbs 21:30
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10
“-here is the conclusion of the matter – fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13
“Turn to me and be saved ALL YOU ENDS OF THE EARTH; for I am God and there is no other” Isaiah 45:22
– Steve Stone
