
Leslie Wittenmyer
October 12, 2024
John 6:68, New Living Translation
“Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.”
I want to encourage us, especially now, hold onto your faith! Hold onto Jesus! Hold onto his word! As Peter has said, “Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” (John 6:68, NLT) Any world where it seems as though evil is spreading, hold onto Jesus in his promises, the hope of your salvation
There may be times when it seems like God isn’t there, but I assure you, he is with you. The devil will do anything to shake your faith… To cause you to stumble… But Jesus is there! He is interceding for us even now! “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32, NLT)
Our relationship with Christ should not be built upon religion, but a relationship. Religion can become a form of oppression that leaves us trying to meet expectations that feel unobtainable. It is not religion that changes one’s heart but heart. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Jesus tells us that he is “The way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, NLT)
When Satan tries to shift you, to shake you, take it to the word of God. Take it to Jesus. What does Jesus say is truth? He will never steer us wrong!
Life can be, at times, overwhelming, but my brother and sister, “You Have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” (1 John 4:4, NLT)
When the negativity begins, or when the shaking comes, remember, “We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the stronghold of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NLT)
The enemy may keep knocking with thoughts that say “You aren’t good enough;” Or “You will never make it;” Or “ God never ever wants you.” Don’t accept these lies. Take these lies, these thoughts, captive, and make them obedient to Christ! Christ died for you because He loves you and He wants you to spend eternity with Him! Hold onto faith! And hold onto Jesus!
I share prayer for spiritual growth for us as the body of Christ:
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19, NLT)