What is your definition of success? Most of us equate success with winning, don't we? We all want to be winners to some degree. We all know people like the famous football coach who said, "Winning isn't everything, it's the ONLY thing." To them, the only thing in life that matters is winning.

Some want to win so badly they are willing to do anything it takes to win. They are willing to bend rules, take every advantage, even cheat a little bit, if necessary. The ends justify the means, in their minds. They consider themselves to be successful.

Then there are some who claim "It's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game". They also want to win, but draw the line at some things. Success isn't everything to them. They know that no one can win all the time, and are willing to settle for whatever victories they may find.

But do you know there are times when success isn't measured by winning? Sometimes, all we have to do to be successful is simply STAND FAST in the Lord. Stand fast---- plant our feet and dig in. That's right, we don't have to WIN, we don't have to finish in the top 10, we don't have to DO anything; all we have to do is hang on until the game is over. Then we will have the ultimate success: sweet victory in Jesus!

There are so many times we are told to stand fast:

• Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. ( I Cor.16:13)
• Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Gal.5:1)
• Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. (Philippians 4:1)
• For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. (I Thes.3:8)
• Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (II Thes. 2:15)

There are many times in the Bible when we are told to DO something: we are told to go, to witness, to love one another, to take care of widows and orphans. There are dozens of things we are told to do, as we learn to put our faith into action. But in the great spiritual battle, the battle between good and evil, God knows we cannot possible succeed through our own efforts. He knows that our very best attempts are simply futile. There is no way we can win. That spiritual battle isn't against flesh and blood. God's Word is quite clear about that.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to STAND against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 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. STAND therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (Eph.6:11)