Guest Speaker: Steadfast - George Elias

The service began with wonderful worship, numerous baptisms, and memorable communion. Several phrases stuck in my head: “Oh how we love you!”; “When faith meets the water”; “Jesus says it and does it.”

Then Pastor Josiah introduced the speaker, George Elias, his father, evangelist, and head of the FC Missions’ Committee. As George began sharing, he showed pictures of Pastor Josiah being baptized when we was around ten and when he was ordained. George expressed the joy that he feels as Pastor Josiah and Ashley shepherd FC with love for the Almighty Father and for the FC family.

George began with reading Psalm 57:7. “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.” (NKJV) The focus was steadfast, which is defined “to make firm, to establish oneself, to make yourself ready, prepared for use.” The enemy tries to throw each of us off balance. Our work it to keep balanced through a steadfast walk with the Lord. Two important days in “your life are the day you were born and the day you found out why,” declared George.

The enemy can’t stop you, but he can try to derail you or distract you from what God has for you. George often asks people,”Are you pregnant?” With a dream? “Nurture what the word has given you. Travail until it comes forth,” he continued. “Birth it.”

To finish well George gave us “6 Keys to Living Steadfast in 2026”:

1. Marriage and Family-

“Because the LORD has been witness

Between you and the wife of your youth,

With whom you have dealt treacherously;

Yet she is your companion

And your wife by covenant.

But did He not make them one,

Having a remnant of the Spirit?

And why one?

He seeks godly offspring.” Malachi 2:14-15 

God is a covenant God, the God of promise. He wants the wife and husband to have godly children.

Fathers are so important to the family and the future of the daughters and sons. Husbands and fathers enforce identity, provision, and protection. For example, George cited these statistics: 85% of the people in jail have no father or step father in the home; 90% of the homeless come from fatherless homes. Fathers show daughters how to be treated and model  for the sons how to treat women. “Children’s children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their father.” Proverbs 17:6 (NKJV) 

2. Calling and Purpose-from 2 Timothy 1:9 it states “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus….” (NKJV) George told of a family kayaking time in Texas where  he fell out of the kayak, which began to sink. As he treaded water, he grew tired and felt like the Lord was going to take him. Then Josiah and Clay rescued him and retrieved the kayak. Think of a thousand piece puzzle. If one piece is missing, it is incomplete. If George had gone under with the kayak, his ministry would not be fulfilled. “Your life makes a difference,” George emphasized.

Another significant verse to consider is 1 Corinthians 15:58. “…be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (NKJV)

3. Prayer and Intimacy-Prayer is a great privilege, and being human when we “drop the ball,” 

“the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. For we do not know what 

we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes 

intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is because He

makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” 

Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV)

The Holy Spirit can pray through you.

Also “And Jesus said to them,’ Yes out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have perfected praise’?” Matthew 21:16 (NKJV)  What is childlike intercession? It is trusting and obeying.“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

4. Life’s Circumstances-Don’t let life derail you from the purpose God has for you. “The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.” Psalm 112:6-7 (NKJV)  The Lord wants us to remain firm and steadfast in our walk with Him and to complete the task. Even when circumstances are hard and discouraging, remember who He is, what He had done on the cross, in the tomb, and out of the tomb.  He came, lived, died and defeated death for us. We can trust Him.

5.  Stand against Sin-Though it is a challenge to stand against sin, as Christ followers we do not want to succumb to the glitter of the world or our culture. We need to stand firm with the Lord Jesus as our model for standing against evil. Think of when Jesus was in the wilderness and satan tempted Jesus three times; Jesus rebuked him. That is the Jesus we follow! We can support each other as we “exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 13:3 (NKJV) 

6. Soul-winning as a Lifestyle-Tell your story of how the Lord has transformed your life. That is how you share Jesus so that others can know. George leads a team every Saturday at 11:00 that goes out and prays for and with people. You can join them and share your story or pray for another. Just saying you follow Jesus is not enough. Demonstrating your faith in Jesus is the significant part. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30 (NKJV) 

May our lives reflect the love of Jesus to a sick and derailed world.

Calendar:

Jan 16 at 11:00 in the Activity Center-Ed Moore’s celebration of life. LBs, please bring finger food for the reception following the celebration.