grounded and settled

I always find encouragement and challenge when I read Paul's writings. Paul was sold out to the work of God. He denied all else so he could preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone and everyone. God used him mightily to spread the message to not only those he spoke to, but also to every generation since through his writings. Paul wrote half of the New Testament.  He gave details and explanations about what it means to live as a Christian and to be Christ like. When I read his writings, I end up feeling challenged to be better, to change and allow more of God in me.  I highlighted the following verse a few weeks ago and it still stands out,  especially the first part.

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Colossians 1:23 KJV

Grounded and settled.  We must be grounded and settled in the gospel. We cannot allow anything to draw us away or distract us from the truth of the gospel.  We can see examples all around us of beloved friends, family and even leaders whom have lost the way in Christ.  We try to understand, explain, and even question why, but we are not always able to change their minds on our own.  Only they can come to the realization that they still need Jesus in their lives.  They are not grounded, rooted, nor settled in the truth.

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Luke 8:13 KJV

We need to be aware of where we stand in our faith. We need to be settled and grounded,  immovable. We cannot allow ourselves to be distracted from the  truth of God's Word. We need to always be in the process of drawing closer in our relationship with Him. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus. When we become complacent,  even comfortable with where we are, is when other things can creep in and take our focus off of God. We become lackadaisical in our commitment to Him.

This happens in many relationships. This same thing happens in marriage and other important relationships. Ideas, thoughts, and distractions enter in when we are not proactively guarding our hearts and minds from distraction or malcontent. Many hearts are broken by lack of attention, lack of pursuit, and downright betrayal.

God will never be the one to turn away, cheat, lie, or break our hearts. We do that ourselves when we do not pursue Him with our actions, our thoughts, and our love. We become unsettled and are no longer standing firm on the foundation of his truth. We become easy prey for the lies and distraction of unbelief and betray the One who loves us most.

We need to keep our eyes on the prize, our hearts set on Him, our minds engaged in His word, and our actions ever leading is closer to Him. We need to be as Paul said, grounded and settled, and cannot be moved away.
Regardless of what others may say and do, we need to stand our ground.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:13 KJV

We must be ever mindful and on guard of the attacks against our minds, hearts, and faith. We can easily be persuaded when we are not on guard and sure of the truth. We need to be ever seeking more of God to find strength,  we need to be emersed in the faith, encouraged and be an encouragement  to others with fellowship aand church attendance, as well as seeking God through prayer, Bible study,  and fasting. We must daily be engaged with the Spirit of God to be lead by Him and protected by Him
He will guard our hearts and minds when are submitted to Him in obedience. We cannot give up on Him. He will never give up on us. He will never leave us or forsake us. How can we ever forsake Him? He redeemed us by the shedding of His blood. He bought and paid for our salvation and freedom. He set us free. He loves us more than anyone else we could ever meet. I cannot turn back now. I am all in. I am His and He is mine. My commitment is rooted in His blood and in His love for me. I want be able to say as Joshua said:

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord , choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord .
Joshua 24:15 KJV

I may not be able to change your mind or anyone else's mind, but my mind is made up. I will be grounded and settled. I will not be  moved away from the gospel. My root will be planted in God's righteousness. I am firmly planted in the Rock, Jesus Christ.

A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
Proverbs 12:3 KJV