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He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
The Lord is my refuge and my fortress.
My God, in Him will I trust.
PSALM 91:1-2
As I stood before 24 men last week at the Haven of Rest mission teaching them hope in Christ, a revelation came to me that a key aspect of my ministry is to defend them!
This ministry of defense is by the Spirit of Christ through me defending the men from the enemy who tempts them to find victory from their addictions through their own "religious" efforts. These men need to know that Christ, not their good efforts, is their only true refuge and fortress.
DEFENDING YOURSELF IS SIN
People who try to live "right" according to their own efforts always become defensive when their "right" behaviors are called into question. Wrong ways we use to protect ourselves from pain and rejection include the following:
Deny a painful reality
Escape reality (daydreaming, TV, drugs, music, etc)
Withdraw from people to avoid hurt and rejection
Take out frustrations on innocent people
Rationalize our actions to ourselves and to others
Protect our reputations through falsehoods
Project a false image to others
Jesus never ever defended Himself, although He is the one exception ever of someone who had the right to do so! However, Jesus always always defends us!
When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus simply testified of the truth that His Father had told Him. Jesus now defends you and me by truth through God's Word.
When the Pharisees led Jesus to a cliff, Jesus said not a word and simply walked away. Jesus now lives in us to manifest this princely majesty through us!
There are so many more examples of Jesus being our Advocate. However, suffice it to say that Jesus defended you and me all the way to the cross! He could have defended His innocence; however, even in our guilt He said from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
This is the heart of the ministry of defense given to us!
CLOSING
Because we are truly free in Christ, we do not have to defend ourselves. We are free to lovingly and confidently testify of Christ to others even when we are tempted to be defensive.
I hope this Rest Stop helps defend you in your true standing in Christ. Standing in His grace with you,
 
PS, Journey in Christ has awarded a ministry grant by the South Carolina Christian Foundation (SCCF)! Our $5,800 grant is earmarked to reach and defend more people through one-on-one discipleship counseling and training. :)
Many Christian business leaders attended the grant awards banquet. SCCF's goal is to raise the awareness of Christian business people to the needs that exist in our community and to raise the recognition level of local ministries who are meeting these needs with God's love and mercy.
Some of the Journey in Christ staff after the SCCF banquet
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