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1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Ephesians 6:18 NIV With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
Stay frosty is a term used by the military and found in movie and television dialogue. It means to stay alert and calm. It is opposite of melting under pressure. A soldier might tell a fellow soldier to stay frosty to remind them to stay safe. It means to not panic or get too comfortable. The term became well known because of a line from the movie Aliens. Corporal Hicks knowing his soldiers could die at any moment said, “We’re all in strung out shape, but stay frosty, and alert.”
Because of the threats from our flesh, Satan, and the world; Christ followers must also be vigilant. How do Christians stay calm and alert? From 1 Corinthians 16:13 we learn from Paul that we should stand firm in the faith. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ. In addition, we need to have a lifestyle that consists of reliance on the firm foundation of Jesus. Our Savior is the cornerstone of our lives. Nothing is more vital to us than the Triune God: Father, Son, and Spirit.
We are to act like men and be strong. Of course, there are also many women who are powerful in Christ. Whether female or male, we are to act like transformed adults. Paul tells us to fight the good fight with honor and power: we do not battle in vain. We are mighty through the Spirit.
Not only are we to be fierce, Paul reminds us to pray continually in Ephesians 6:18. This means to have a prayerful attitude daily, deepening our relationship to God, and interceding for others. We are to pray through the Spirit. We call out to the Father, in the name of the Son, and by the Holy Spirit. In prayer we find community with the Triune God. No relationship in our lives is more paramount than our relationship with the Lord.
Paul also prompts us to persevere. This trait is vital for the believer. So many people start their Christian lives on fire. They often pray, read Scripture, worship, and witness. Huge crowds would follow Jesus; however, many followers would fall away at His hard sayings. Paul often reminded the churches to endure in difficult times.
1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Stay frosty my friends. We run this race together and all of us need to press on until we reach the finish line. This life is a battle but rejoice because Jesus has already won the victory over death, sin, and Lucifer. Hallelujah! Our God reigns!
Excerpt from the hymn Our God Reigns by Leonard E Smith:
How lovely on the mountains
Are the feet of him
Who brings good news, good news,
Announcing peace proclaiming
News of happiness.
Our God reigns our God reigns!
Chorus:
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Prayer: Almighty God we praise You for Your mercy and protection. May we stay alert equipped with the armor of God and bathed in your grace, hope, and love. May we be faithful in our prayer life and our walk with You. In the victorious name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.