Be A Good Defenseman

Be On Guard (Mattew 25, 1 Peer 5:8-11) The Devil is the opposition, we are the defenseman that are protecting the word of God and the way of salvation for our souls and for the souls of others. As I have been watching the NHL's Stanly Cup play offs lately, you really see how important the defence men are for protecting the net and goalie. Those guys are willing to lay down their bodies to block a shot, and some of those shots are going over 90 miles an hour.. A guy got hit last night with one coming at him at 80 plus miles oer hour. Those guys do a lot better job at being a defenseman for hocky, than we do being a defense man for the gospel. As believers in Jesus Christ and His defence He put up for us on the cross are urged to “resist [the devil]” and he will flee from us. To stand “firm in the faith”, and we will stand for what is right (1 Peter 5:9). Jesus told the disciples and the followers in His day, “The one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13). A good defence men does not always win. As we watched a couple hockey games last night, and those defenseman stood firm until the end of the game, and one team lost, but they did good and stood strong In their own mind and heart they were winners because they had done their best. But as beliebvers in Christ when we put up a good defense and stand firm we are winners and our enemy the devil is the loser He lost, the morning Jesus arose from the dead.So as Paul urged believers to “be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). He also told them its not you thats standing strong,God is the one who enables us to stand firm in Christ through faith (2 Corinthians 1:21, 24). As we ase being strong in our battle of faith against the devil we are being good defence men by putting on “the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:13). A part of that armour is being filled with the Holy Spirit, as we ask, as we seek, the Hly Spirit comes and fills us to over flowing and we cannot help but defend wh=at we believe inside us (Romans 8:26). Friends, I have found that the best defense and strategies against the devil and any temptations he may throw at us is to read, and study the word of God, to pray continually-without ceasing, as well as depending on God to help us on a daily bases, moment by moment, minuite be minute, hour by hour, and day by day. One day at a time. And then one day, when Jesus returns we will hear Him say. Well done though good and faithful servant. Read Matthew 25, its real good but especially take note of verse "23" "His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." When you hear these words from your Lord, you will know that in your life time you have been a good defence men and you will know that you have been on the winning team. You will have the reward of Heaven forever, no one can take that from you. The NHL hocky played defend to attempt to win the stanly Cup. But we my friends, stand strong to defend the Faith of what we believe in with all of our life. So that in the end when we reach the end of the game. "The end of this earthly life" We will win HEAVENS GOLDEN CUP. Are you going to be there, to help raise the cup, as the buzzer goes to end the game. Father God, thank you for being my coach and helping me to stand strong as a defender of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so glad that He and you never Change. You God are the same yesterday, today and for ever We just have to play by the rule book of life.. The word of God. it is the road map to heavenly grace, love and peace. Thank you.. In Jesus name I pray AMEN