Ours is a hell-bound, degenerate world, and you know it. Political corruption abounds. International peace, a splendid ideal, continues to blow up in our faces. The crime rate escalates as domestic violence and gang wars and drug traffic and overcrowded jails continue to plague society. Pending legal cases choke the courts of our land with an endless litany of litigation. And even when cases are finally brought to trial, no courtroom or prison cell can remove madness from minds or hatred from hearts.

Satan, our relentless enemy, has a game plan, and it’s on the board. Knowing that his days are numbered, knowing that he has an appointed amount of time before the scoreboard counts him out, he holds the world in his lap and gives it directions, implementing his strategy day after day.

If our Christian message is a mirror image of the message of the world, the world yawns and goes on its way saying, “What else is new? I’ve heard all that since I was born.” But if the Christian lifestyle and motivation and answers are different, the world cannot help but sit up and take notice, thinking: How come they live in the same place I live, but they are able to live a different kind of life? Why is their love so deep and lasting and ours so shallow and fickle? How is it that she can forgive and never hold a grudge? Why do these people have so much more compassion, kindness, integrity, and patience than anyone else I know?

Do you get the message? It’s the difference that makes the difference!

Think about it: Do people feel more alive when they’re around you? Do you create within them a thirst for God? Does anyone ever wonder why you are so unselfish, so thoughtful, so caring? Do the neighborhood children want to be in your home because of the way you treat your children?

What do people see when they look at you? Do they see your good works? Do they hear your courtesy? Do they detect your smile? Do they notice that you stop to thank them? Do they hear you apologize when you are wrong? Do they see every visible manifestation of Christ’s life being normally lived out through you? When they see all that, Jesus said, they “will glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).

Isn’t it a pleasure when someone says to you, “Why are you like that?” And isn’t it a natural thing to respond, “I’m glad you asked. Let me tell you what’s happened”? (Charles Swindoll)

“When the Church is absolutely different from the world, she invariably attracts it. It is then that the world is made to listen to her message, though it may hate it at first” (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones).

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)

The Apostle Paul was determined to walk worthy of the calling of God. With this singleness of mind he zealously testified to all of “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” He refused to be detoured from his holy work by the evil activities of men. Even when the Holy Spirit witnessed that bonds and afflictions awaited him, he never wavered on his journey. Many of his brethren could not understand why he was so persistent, and many encouraged him to change his course to avoid the hardships. Paul, however, said, “…none of things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself.” If his holy ministry was worth anything at all, it was sure worth everything even if it cost him his life. Paul understood the gravity of his high calling; come what may, he could not but serve his received ministry to the completion of its course.

Paul knew if he had allowed others to sway him away from the ministry he had received of the Lord Jesus, that the blessed joy of obedience would be lost in the guilt of failure. He lived in the joy of salvation, the joy of his calling, the joy of faithfulness, and he was determined to finish his course with joy. The ministry to which he was called was “to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” He was not hired for a “job”; he received a “ministry” from Jesus Christ to give testimony of the grace of God. This is not like anything else upon the face of the earth. That is why the Scriptures do not speak of churches hiring a pastor; rather they reveal that a pastor is a gift to the church. Come what may, the pastor does not count his life as anything so that he might finish his course with joy and the ministry that he received from the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is also written: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2) There is a greater joy far beyond common comprehension. Let the gates of hell rattle; it will only make for sweeter joy!—By Dr.M.J. Seymour, Sr.

—-God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.–James 4:6

The single biggest obstacle between people and God is pride. So you and I must be diligent to always remain humble before the Lord-intellectually, socially, and spiritually.

Intellectual pride is when people trust what they know, rather than living by faith. But Jesus told us to come to him like little children. It’s his desire that we be teachable, transparent, and open with him and with others.

Social pride is when people want to feel important and try to surround themselves with the “in” crowd. But think about who Jesus’ friends were. They were sinners… people who were rejected by the religious system of their day.

Spiritual pride is when people think they can somehow earn salvation. But they can’t! Instead, grace demands that we humble ourselves before the Lord. Today’s verse says it so clearly: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Please don’t let pride or any of its subtle forms keep you from knowing and following Jesus!

WE MUST BE DILIGENT TO ALWAYS REMAIN HUMBLE BEFORE THE LORD-INTELLECTUALLY, SOCIALLY, AND SPIRITUALLY. (From Powerpoint)

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.–Colossians 1:10   God believes in growth! In the Garden of Eden, “the Lord God made every tree grow…” (Genesis 2:9). He designed grass to grow for cattle, and crops to grow for us (Psalm 104:14; Leviticus 25:5). He wanted the children of Israel to grow into a great nation (Genesis 48:16). We’re to consider the lilies, how they grow (Luke 12:27). Even the Lord Jesus grew and became strong in spirit (Luke 2:40).

The Lord expects His saints to grow, too, like palm trees and cedars of Lebanon (Psalm 92:12). We’re to grow up in all things into Him who is the head–Christ (Ephesians 4:15). Our faith is to grow more solid every day, and our love deeper (2 Thessalonians 1:3). Peter told us to desire the sincere milk of the Word, that we may grow thereby, and to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:2; 3:18).

Are there areas in our lives–whatever our ages–in which we need fresh growth? Focus on that area, memorize Scripture on that topic, pray for maturity, and ask God for a “growth spurt” in your life.(Turning Point)

The mind grows by taking in, but the heart grows by giving out; and it is important to maintain a balanced life.–Warren Wiersbe

“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”–Hebrews 13:6

General George S. Patton played a large role in the United States’ participation in the world wars. As a young commander in World War 1, he was assigned to the newly created United States Army Tank Division, leading his armored division into many battle victories. After the war, he spent much time as an advocate for the production of more armored defense machines. When World War 2 began, Patton was stationed in North Africa, then later moved into Sicily as Mussolini’s defenses crumbled. Patton played a large role as a commander in the European theatre of World War 2, but his outspoken and rough manner often got him in trouble. It was reported that he once slapped a soldier recovering from battle fatigue in a field hospital because he believed the man to be a coward. Other times he was known to berate his men if they showed weakness, and even demoted them for cowardliness.

Shocking to most, many people didn’t know Patton’s own fear and cowardliness during the war. While leading an army in Sicily, Patton was met by a military governor who praised Patton and admired his bravery in the midst of difficult fighting. Patton replied, “Sir, I am not a brave man….The truth is, I am an utter craven coward. I have never been within the sound of gunshot or in sight of battle in my whole life that I wasn’t so scared that I had sweat in the palms of my hands.”

Patton, the unstoppable, no-nonsense general that many soldiers depended upon, admitted he was nothing more than a fearful coward himself when it came to battle. As many soldiers looked to him as their guide and helper during difficult times, he proved to be as fearful as they were.

While Patton may have felt fear during conflict, someone who never feels fear in the face of difficulty is God. Hebrews 13 points to God as our helper, our strong anchor in the time of trial. No matter what others do to us, God is sure. He will protect us.

Consider Psalm 18:2, “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” The psalmist faced many difficult situations throughout his life. Whether enemies threatened him or the devil attacked him, he knew that God was his fortress, his hiding place for protection.

Times may come when men threaten you. You may be pressured to compromise your beliefs, cease your witnessing, or silence your faith. While God desires you follow authority, He reminds you to follow Him rather than men when you must choose. He promises that as you follow Him, He will be your helper, your rock, fortress, deliverer, strength, buckler, salvation, and high tower. He will protect you from men.

Have you felt pressure from others to silence your faith in some way? Have you been intimidated by others? God reminds us in Hebrews 13 that He is your helper, and because of that fact, you have no reason to fear what other people may say about you or do to you.

Don’t allow outside pressures to keep you from serving God. Critics will always abound and opposition may seem fierce at times. Yet God offers us rest and protection in Himself. Seek God’s protection through prayer and time in His Word. Build a wall around yourself through seeking His help during trials. Remember that with God on your side, no foe can prevail against you.–By Dr. Paul Chappell