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JFH Devotionals by J.M. Farro


Who Will Stand Up for the Lord?


"Who will stand up for me against evildoers? Who will take his stand for me against those who do wickedness?" - Psalm 94:16 NASB

When my son, Joseph, was a junior in public high school, he felt led by the Lord to start an after-school Bible Club. Everything seemed to be falling into place, until he met some resistance from the school authorities. He was told by the assistant principal that starting a Christian Club would be "too controversial" because of its religious nature. When Joseph arrived home from school that day, he was feeling discouraged and defeated, and he was beginning to doubt that starting this club was the Lord's will. We prayed about it together, and I told him that I would do some research to find out if the school had the right to stop Christian kids from meeting after school for prayer and Bible study.

I discovered a legal agency that would represent Christians when their rights were being trampled on. I spoke with some of their people, and they told me that the school could not prevent the students from organizing a club just because it was "religious". And they asked if I wanted to threaten the school with a lawsuit on behalf of my son, since he wasn't old enough to sue the school himself. They warned me that if I chose this course of action, there could be serious consequences for my son, and it could affect him academically. When I spoke to Joseph about it that evening, I told him that I was prepared to fight the school, if that's what he wanted to do, and we prayed and asked the Lord for His wisdom and guidance in the matter.

Joseph and I both agreed to proceed with the lawsuit, and when we did, the school backed down immediately. Once our attorneys informed the school authorities that they had to give Joseph's Bible Club equal access, the students were allowed to meet every week after school. They were even allowed to use the same school facilities that the other clubs enjoyed, and to advertise their meetings and events without restrictions. Joseph met with some resistance from some of the students and school staff after the lawsuit incident, but it was nothing he couldn't handle with God's help. And he was able to graduate with his class the following year without any problems.

When I sought the Lord about why so many Christians deserted my son when he took a stand for the Lord against those who opposed his new Bible club, the Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance some verses in the Book of Revelation. Here, Jesus accuses His followers of becoming bland and half-hearted. "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent." (Revelation 3:15-16,19 NKJV) When we lack zeal for the Lord and His purposes, we are sinning against Him, and we must turn to Him in heartfelt repentance, and begin serving Him with all of our hearts. Otherwise, He will have to "rebuke and chasten" us because of our indifference. What exactly is "zeal"? It is a fire or passion for a cause or objective. Many Christians these days have lost their passion for Christ and His causes in this world. They have become so complacent that the last thing they want to do is become targets of anti-Christian forces, by taking a stand for the Lord when His purposes - and those of this world - clash. And God finds their lack of enthusiasm distasteful and repugnant.

The apostle Paul wrote, "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." (Romans 12:11 NIV) Zeal should characterize the life of a true follower of Christ. The Bible goes so far as to say that Christ "gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." (Titus 2:14 NKJV) If my son, Joseph, had not been zealous for his Bible club, it never would have touched and changed the lives of the countless kids that it did.

Scripture says: "Who will stand up for me against evildoers? Who will take his stand for me against those who do wickedness?" (Psalm 94:16 NASB) The Lord is looking for people who will take a stand for Him and His Word against the hostile forces of this world. Could you be one of those He's calling upon today?

Prayer:Lord, whenever I demonstrate a lack of zeal or passion for You and Your causes, convict me by Your Spirit, and help me to repent for it quickly. Please work in my heart and mind, so that nothing will stand in the way of You blessing me and using me the way You long to. Teach me how to "stir up, rekindle, and fan the flame of the inner fire" that You have gifted me with. (2 Timothy 1:6 AMP) Strengthen me so that I "won't be intimidated in any way" by those who oppose You and Your Word. (Philippians 1:28 NLT) Thank You that as I serve You with joy, passion, and enthusiasm, You will make me a world-changer for Christ!

- J. M. Farro

 

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This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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