Matters of Faith

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Reverend J. Loren Russell

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NKJV)

“Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” – NKJV

To stand is not exceptional for the Christian—it is expected. It is not extraordinary to stand firm in faith, to go where others dare not go, to speak what others are afraid to say, or to live visibly as an ambassador for Christ. This is normal Christianity. And yet, though it is not exceptional, it is increasingly rare. 

Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica with a clear and urgent charge: stand fast. His words still confront us today, because he reminds us that our faith was never meant to take a seat—it was meant to take a stand. We were not given a “sit-down faith.” We were given a faith that stands up, speaks out, and holds on.

When Paul says, “stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught,” he is calling believers to cling tightly to the truth of God’s Word—whether it was taught in person or written in a letter. Truth is our anchor. The Word is our source of clarity, accuracy, and power. Without it, we drift. With it, we endure.

And endurance is exactly what is required during times of trouble and trial…, in seasons of suffering and sorrow…, through persecution or poverty…, in unemployment and uncertainty…, in heartbreak, sickness, and overwhelming circumstances – we are charged to stand.

The world will try to seat us with fear, silence us with pressure, and distract us with comfort. But we must remember: if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.

Whether loved or hated, blessed or cursed, embraced or opposed, we stand on the promise that we were chosen for this moment. Someone loved us enough to take a stand—and to die—so that we could live. Now we honor that sacrifice by standing firm in faith.

Persecuted or prospered. Abused or advanced. Broken or blessed.
Homeless or heroic. An inmate or an investor. Sick or well. In every condition, the call remains the same: stand.

Scripture declares that when we suffer for doing what is right, it is commendable before God (1 Peter 2:20). Faith that stands is faith that endures—and faith that endures is faith that glorifies God.

Tomorrow, we will celebrate the birth of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who was not afraid to take a stand. In the face of tormentors, systemic racism, segregation, threats of physical injury and death, economic oppression, and even ridicule and rejection from members of his own community, he stood firm. He stood when it was dangerous. He stood when it was costly. He stood when it was lonely.

And isn’t it ironic that many of his detractors and persecutors—especially those who lived long after his assassination—came to regret their position? That is exactly what James was talking about when he wrote, “They will be ashamed of themselves for falsely accusing you when you have only done what is good.” (James 2:13, paraphrased)

Dr. King was willing to declare, loud and clear, that hate and racism have no place in a society founded on the truth that all people are created equal. His stand was not rooted in politics alone—it was rooted in faith, in truth, and in the unshakable conviction that justice is God’s idea.

So today, we are challenged to make up our minds to stand firm in faith, to grip the truth tightly, and to hold fast to what we have been taught – because in the end, we have only two choices:

We either stand for our faith—or we sit because of foolishness.

Be Blessed! 

Rev. J. Loren Russell

Isaiah 54:1-4, 17 (NLV)

“Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth!

Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem, you who have never been in labor.

For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband,” says the Lord. “Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense! For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities.

“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you. You will no longer remember the shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood.”

“But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed.

You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

When the book of Isaiah was written, somewhere between 700-690 BC when childless women were viewed as being punished by God or suffering the consequences of their sin. The comparison here is to the nation of Israel who became barren because of her sinfulness. But Isaiah tells them to sing songs of praise and redemption despite their barrenness. He says they should break into loud and joyful singing because the Lord was going to restore His covenant promise to them. 

Isaiah tells them that they were going to be blessed abundantly and would expand to the right and the left. They were told to enlarge their homes and spare no expense in doing so. They would soon be “bursting at the seams” with children and descendants who will occupy other nations and resettle ruined cities. Not only would they be fruitful again, but Isaiah also tells them that no weapon formed against them would be successful, and“every tongue which rises against them in judgment, they would silence”.  

Like the Israelites, there is a lot of spiritual barrenness in believers today. Some might argue that spiritual barrenness is more widespread now than it was in Isaiah’s time. There is a lot of profession of faith, but not a lot of practice, confession without conviction, faith spoken but not lived. But the God who gave grace, showed compassion, extended mercy and gave victory to the Israelites is the same God who wants to be gracious to His people today. He wants us to know that He has not abandoned us, and that we too must sing joy and redemption songs while in the throes of despair. Every foe will be defeated, every weapon destroyed, and every tongue that speaks against us will be silenced. The same assurance that was true for them is true for us.  

You can walk into your future with boldness. Know that the God who took away the barrenness and strengthened Israel so that they gave birth to many children and were victorious in battle, is the same God who has redeemed, blessed and gave you victory in all your endeavors. “These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!” This is your heritage also. Stress Less, trust more…,

Live Blessed!     

Reverend J. Loren Russell

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NKJV)

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.”

There is a famous poem entitled “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”, penned by Paul Laurence Dunbar and inspired a book of the same name written by Maya Angelou that has become a literary classic. 

Birds were not designed to be caged; they were designed to sing and to fly. But in man’s quest to harness nature, we create cages to hold birds for our pleasure. Yet, despite their restrictive and limiting environment, their resiliency allows the caged birds to defeat their frustrations, vent their misery, express their excitement for life, and create beauty through the gift of song the Lord has placed in their heart. Paul Laurence Dunbar heard the songs of joy from the caged bird and discovered, despite the turbulence of his era, that he too could sing and fly from the gift the Lord had given to him…, writing poetry.

Caged birds have only artificial restraints because their song and their flight are not dependent on their environment. Caged birds have the ability to sing and the audacity to fly because both were given to them by God, who did not say where to use them, only that they were gifts to be used. Just like caged birds, we have God-given ability to sing and the capability to fly. 

The dawn of a new year challenges us to stress less and change our limitations into strengths by recognizing we were designed by God to sing and to soar. Every one of us has limitations and restrictions that challenge our God-given abilities. So, every new year, we are offered the chance to alter our perspective of our cages. We are given the opportunity to sing the song we have in our hearts, and to use the wings on our backs that we haven’t even noticed were there.  

Whatever song the Lord has placed on your heart, it needs to be sung, no matter the cage you find yourself. Singing your song and using your wings frees you from the confines of the cage of social, financial, familial, or spiritual bondage that may have been imposed on you, as well as those manufactured by your own choices. Jerry Dunn said, “challenge your limits, don’t limit your challenges”. Stress less and be blessed in 2026! 

Be Blessed!