Our Mission To love all people at all times and lead them into a new life in Christ.
Our Vision To be a church that will be multicultural and generational, having a lasting impact on the people to whom we minister.
To see the gospel extend beyond the walls of our church through various outreaches.
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FROM PASTOR SHIRLEY
Having Done All –Stand
I was raised in the Baptist faith as a young girl. The songs that we sang then are still in the recesses of my mind. “Standing on the Promises of God” is one of my favorites.
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Our heavenly Father is a God of promises! Doesn’t that make you want to stand up and shout!! In the Bible all the way from the book of Genesis to the book of the Revelation we find recorded promises which He has made. Promise means, “A divine assurance of good”. Stand means, “to continue and refers to another meaning, “upright active position.” God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Don’t give up; continue to stand on the promises of His Word. Do we dare to believe that God wants to daily load us with the benefits of these promises?
Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In Him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God’s Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting His Yes within us.
By His Spirit he has stamped us with His eternal pledge—a sure beginning of what He is destined to complete. 2 Corinthians 1:20 Message Bible
Come to Me with all your weaknesses; physical, emotional, and spiritual. Rest in the comfort of My Presence, remembering that nothing is impossible with Me.
Pry your mind away from your problem so you can focus your attention on Me. Recall that I am able to do immeasurably more than all you ask or imagine. Instead of trying to direct Me to do this and that, seek to attune yourself to what I am already doing.
When anxiety attempts to wedge its way into your thoughts, remind yourself that I am your Shepherd. The bottom line is that I am taking care of you; therefore, you needn’t be afraid of anything. Rather than trying to maintain control over your life, abandon yourself to My will. Though this may feel frightening–even dangerous, the safest place to be is in My will.
Luke 1:37; Ephesians 3:21-22; Psalm 23:1-4
“But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” Gal. 6:4(NKJV)
“Take a look at yourself and you will look at others differently. Put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee.” Words from a gospel song popular in the late 1900’s reflect the thought from Scripture. Our first responsibility is to keep our own standing before God in right order, not being a judge of others. The above verse reflects the idea of personal examination before God and not comparing ourselves with another believer.
“…But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” II Cor.10:12b (NKJV) The underlying reason for examining others is to make ourselves look better to ourselves. The inner thought is “Well, at least I am better than him. “ Paul warns the church that doing this is not wise.
The real “test” is what we find in us. Do you know what is in you? “You are what you eat.” Remember that? Also, “You are what you think you are,” at least in your own eyes. Regardless of how God sees you, you will never rise above how you see you. That is why it is important to know what the Word says about you. Do you see yourself as an over-comer or “struggling” human? God says in Christ you are righteous do you see that or are you working to become righteous? The Bible admonishes a man not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think. The opposite is also true– don’t think less of yourself than what the Word says you are. Remember, God knows you better than you know yourself. Listen to Him.
It is your pea patch-having done all stand.
Your pea patch is what God has promised to be yours as His child. Every born again believer at some time in their Christian life will find themselves having to defend those promises. I think most of us that have been saved for very long have been at this place at one time or another. It is sort of a midnight hour, so to speak.
We understand from the Word that satan is a thief. A thief comes in silently so as to not let you know he has entered in. Is your enemy trying to steal your pea patch where health is concerned, where finances are concerned, where peace or hope should reign? If we don’t defend our blessing (our pea patch), the thief will come to steal, kill and destroy. Satan comes in with discouragement, doubt, fear. These things slowly eat away at your faith to stand and to claim the blessings that are rightfully yours through the shed blood of Jesus.
Satan is your enemy and does not have your best interest in mind. He cannot be reasoned with or persuaded to change. There is nothing in him that would even show the slightest mercy or grace toward you. When he looks at you, he sees Jesus; and he knows only rebellion against God and those of us who have made a stand to be on the winning side. We demonstrate victory by standing firm in what we believe to be of truth which is only what the Word has declared. We demonstrate the victory we have by our actions and attitudes. In 2 Samuel 23 verse 11 says Shammah stood in the midst of a piece of ground full of lentils (peas) and defended it. Shammah’s action was he stood. His attitude was, “This is my pea patch; it may not be much in anyone else’s eyes, but it is mine.”
How determined are you today to hold on to what God has already given? I want to encourage you today to not turn back, but to fight the good fight of faith. Stand and having done all stand!!
“For all the promises in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” II Cor. 1:20(NKJV)
Standing on the promises I cannot fall, listening every moment to the Spirit’s call, RESTING in my Savior as my all in all, standing on the promises of God. Do you believe? “Oh, yes I believe,” you might say. But, are you “resting?” Resting means everything is finished and there is no more work left to do. There is not a cessation of activity but a sense that peace and promises exist. Is your Savior your all in all or are you still trying to work your way into God’s favor? What can you do that Jesus failed to do?
Your work is now to believe in He whom the Lord has sent. “Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28(NKJV). What was the labor He was talking about? It had to be the law they were trying to keep day after day, year after year. There was always a sense of failure in their conduct just as there is with us today who try to stay under the law. The law is a burden no man can bear. The more we try to conform to the Mosaic Law, the more heavy laden we become.
When God finished creation He rested. When Jesus finished redemption He rested. Now, what are you going to add to that? Resting is not being lazy or unfruitful; it is working to achieve something not to earn something. We do not work to solidify our position in Christ. We work to promote the Kingdom of God and see a harvest. We do not work just to stay saved but walk in grace and rest in Jesus as our all in all.
BE A FIGHTER!!!
I Tim. 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and (for which) you confessed the good confession ( of faith) before many witnesses”
To be aggressive is to be a fighter. Just as the apostle Paul said that he had fought the good fight of faith (2 Timothy 4:7), so he instructed his young disciple Timothy to fight the good fight of faith in our daily lives as we struggle against spiritual enemies in high places and in our own mind and heart.
One part of fighting the good fight of faith is being able to recognize the enemy. As long as we are passive, Satan will torment us. Nothing is going to change about our situation if all we do is just sit and wish things were different. We have to take action. Too often we don’t move against the4 enemy when he comes against us with discouragement or fear or doubt or guilt. We just draw back into a corner somewhere and let him beat us up.
You and I are not supposed to be punching bags for the devil; instead, we are supposed to be fighters.
Nowe the devil wants us to fight in the natural with everybody around us. But God wants us to forget all the junk that Satan stirs up within us to get us riled up against other people. Instead, He wants us to fight against the spiritual enemies who try to war over our lives and steal our peace and joy. “Come against Satan when he is trying to get a foothold, and he will never get a stronghold.” …Joyce Meyer
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another.” Gal. 5:14-15(NKJV)
Do unto others as you would that they do unto you. Remember that? It is good advice and will keep your heart at peace. This is all talking about attitude. Lots of things can affect our attitude. As a matter of fact everything we experience affects our attitude. Our attitude will normally agree with our human experience. Good things happen to us, and our attitude is good. Bad things happen and our attitude reflects our feelings about it. Under these conditions we are in control of nothing in our lives. Instead of being what we choose to be, we become a product of what happens to us. We should get tired of someone else always determining our attitude.
We need to realize that we can be what we choose to be. We can think like we need to think. We can be in control of our attitude. What would you choose– to be joyful, happy, kind, friendly, and pleasant; or bitter, pouting, hateful, worried, fearful, revengeful, and mean tempered? You will be whatever lurks within you. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” Matt. 12:35(NKJV)
Most people have never learned how they should act or think, or know how to change. The secret is to renew your mind by the Word of God. If you know the Word, think the Word, speak the Word, you will believe the Word and live the Word.This will have a profound effect on your attitude. Jesus was exposed to every mistreatment possible, yet it never ruled His attitude. In spite of the evil He encountered He always responded with the “good treasure” within Him. As a child of God that “good treasure” is within us and we need to let it create our attitude. Attitude will give you life or it will kill you. Attitude will cause you to prosper or it will rob you. YOU choose your attitude! Choose wisely.
Little disappointments can create frustration, which in turn may lead to bigger problems that can produce a great deal of damage. Besides the huge disappointments that occur when we fail to get the job promotion or house we wanted, we can become just as upset by minor annoyances. For example, suppose someone is supposed to meet you for lunch and fails to show up. Or suppose you make a special trip to buy something on sale and when you get there, they are sold out.
These frustrations are minor but they can add up to cause grief. That’s why we have to know how to handle them and keep them in perspective. Otherwise, they can get out of hand and be blown up all out of proportion.
Solomon 2:15 “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that are ruining the vineyards….”
We have to be on our guard against the little foxes that destroy the vineyards, because all together they can do just as much damage as the serious disappointments that often accompany them.
If we practice dealing quickly with disappointments as they come, they will not pile up into a mountain of devastation.
…Joyce Meyer
33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] Amplified Jn. 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulations; but of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jn. 16:33(NKJV)
Well, Jesus, you have it made. You have overcome the world. Hooray! Good for You, but how does that affect me? It is easy for You. You’re God. You should be in my shoes for awhile and You would see how hard it is to be of good cheer. Sound familiar? It is easy to have this attitude when one doesn’t understand the spiritual things.
Jesus was telling His disciples that His victory was their victory. In Him they had overcome the world as well. “In Me you have peace.” Jesus was speaking of position and not proxy. As He is, so are we in this world. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection secured our position as over-comers. Everything Jesus did He did for us. He did not have to overcome the world for Himself. It was all for us and He wanted His disciples to understand this and use it for themselves. The only reason you are an overcomer is because of Jesus. Live in peace and believe.
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” I Jn. 5:4-5(NKJV)
GIVE UP EXCESSIVE REASONING—–
Are you always trying to figure everything out? Many of us have fallen in the ditch. Instead of casting our care upon the Lord, we go through life carrying every bit of it.
When we try to figure everything out, we are exalting our reasoning above God’s thoughts. We are placing our ways higher than His ways. When we worry, we lose our peace, and when we try to figure everything out, we fall into confusion. Confusion is the result of reasoning with our own understanding when we should be trusting in the Lord with all our heart to make the way for us according to His plan. When we trust that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, we stop confusion before it starts. …Joyce Meyer
In Februay of 2010 Pastor Jerry had open heart surgery and spent several days in the Cardiac ICU. Of course, I spent those days and nights in the waiting room. On February 3 early in the morning I was awake and decided to read the Bible. The devil had come to me with the thoughts, “Well, Jerry will be okay but there is no way you will ever be able to pay for all of this. You will lose everything you have.”
I decided to read Proverbs chapter 3 because I knew I had to get those thoughts out of my head. Proverbs 3:5-6 in the Message Bible reads, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart, and don’t try to figure everything out on your own. Listen to God’s voice for everything you do; everywhere you go, He’s the one who will keep you on track.”
I commanded worry to leave and “quit trying to figure out” how we would pay for the hospital bill. God did completely provide for everything, and Pastor Jerry totally recovered. Put the Word inside you and the worry has to leave. Pastor LaVerne
“….The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” Matt. 13:33(NKJV)
“Then Jesus said to them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” Matt. 16:6(NKJV)
“A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” Gal. 5:9(NKJV)
All of these verses are talking about the same thing, but what are they talking about? Most people think they are talking about moral and ethical issues. Although they may ultimately affect this area of live they are talking about doctrinal beliefs. The first verse says that exposure to the leaven of heaven results in everything becoming like heaven. The second verse says beware of the doctrines of the Pharisee and Sadducees. Verse three says that exposure to leaven will affect the whole loaf of bread.
Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Jesus said He is the bread of life so we eat of Him and live. Every productive thing is in harmony with God’s Word. Paul was warning the Galatians not to introduce the Jewish law into their gospel of grace.
One of the most deadly religious practices of the church is our method of understanding the Bible. We are too prone to using our experiences to interpret scripture rather than allowing the Bible to change our experiences. For example, someone somewhere prayed for healing and it did not come. Attitudes then took over resulting in something like this, “I am the most righteous person I know. If God won’t heal me, He must not be healing anyone anymore.” Then the search begins to make the Word of God agree with his experiences. From this arises the religious doctrine that healing is past away along with the gifts of the Spirit. Although the bulk of Scripture teaches they haven’t, the party picks through obscure and unclear verses that seem to support his experience.
Anytime I interpret a scripture based on my experience , I am using the wrong “leaven.” It will grow until it destroys the life I am trying to build. We cannot allow our experiences to affect our belief in the truth and everlastingness of God’s Word. Remember, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes were the most “holy” and learned religious leaders of their day and MOST OF THEM WERE WRONG!! What about today’s religious leaders? Watch out for the leaven of “education.”
“…as He is, so are we in this world.” I John 4:17(NKJV)
Where are you? Do you even know or ever thought about it? When John wrote the above it wasn’t in reference to character or conduct; it was in reference to position. Do you understand your position in Christ? There are a multitude of places you could find yourself. I am not talking about your body and mind. I am talking about your spirit man. Your body might be “under the circumstances” but your spirit man (the real you) is seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
You must train your mind to see things from your spirit’s position and not from your body’s position. The way you see yourself is the way you will eventually end up. We are a product of our imagination. Proverbs says, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Thinking is using your imagination to visualize the outcome of what you are experiencing. If your body seems to be “under the circumstances,” you must remember the scripture says we are “seated in heavenly places.”
Your mind (soul) can’t be in two places at once. It will side with whichever “position” has the most influence on it. Take advantage of what the Word promises us. See things from Christ’s position because that is where you really are. That position is eternal. All other positions are temporary. They will change, but the Word of God abides forever.
S.O.A.R in 14
S-Seated in Christ
O-Overcomers in this life
A-Attitude will determine if we succeed or fail
R-Rest in the Lord
In todays message we are going to be looking at the word soar. Taking each letter and applying application of Scripture will see how we can go thru 2014 in expectation that our God is able.
This past year is over and as we step into the new year we can be encourage to know that it is a new season. God is birthing something new in the body of Christ. A fresh wind of revival is beginning to blow. We have been thru it and now we are over it. It is time to step into the new and embrace what God is doing in the earth now. There have been some that were told you are not going to make it but you did and you are here as a living breathing testimony of the power of God. No longer let it be in your mind you can’t when His Word says you can. No longer let it be in your mind you are not when His Word says you are.
A season of divine timing. A Spoken word that has already been spoken by God and is now been delivered to us for such a time as this.The same word that spoke and called you existence is the same word that will keep you. God has already spoken it and it shall come to pass. In His Kingdom it is already done and now we shall behold the manifestation of that word. Dare to believe!
*“And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.” Acts 10:45-46(NKJV)
What an amazing event that took place at Cornelius’ house of which this verse refers. Gentiles were saved and received the Holy Ghost just by hearing and believing the words of Peter. This group was not associated with Mosaic Law or Jewish teachings about God. To the Jews they were pagans and had no relationship with the true God. Yet, these pagans had just received the Holy Ghost of God by grace through faith. No works were involved in this transaction. That is why it is referred to as a “gift” because they did not earn it by their performance.
Later, when questions arose about Gentiles adopting Jewish practices, the Apostles and the Holy Spirit made no further Mosaic requirements of them (Acts 15). When something is done in exchange for a benefit it is not a free gift. A free gift is only a free gift when the receiver has done nothing to earn it. The free gift of salvation was not given only to those who deserved. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rom 3:23
This time of year many gifts will be exchanged. Do you believe you have earned a few gifts? If you earned them they are not gifts, are they? Exchanging gifts usually means, you give me something and I give you something. Free gifts have no conditions attached. Jesus wants to exchange gifts with you. Do you have anything to give Him that He doesn’t already have? I have a suggestion. Exchange your sin for His righteousness. It is a gift, you know.
“Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us.” So they were offended at Him.” Mk. 6:3(NKJV)
What is it like to do everything you can for the good of someone, and then to be rejected by them? What kind of a reaction should one have? If you have never been rejected by someone you have never tried very hard to help anyone. Why would you offend anyone by trying to help them? Is it because they do not want the help or they don’t want it from you?
One of the first questions we ask ourselves is, “What did I do wrong?” We examine ourselves to see what fault we have that led to our rejection. Why is it always our fault and not the one who rejected us? Were my motives pure and my desire genuinely to help someone?
What were Jesus’ motives when He went to His own country, town, and family? Did He go unprepared to minister or just to upset them with His teaching? Those who heard Him were amazed at the wisdom conveyed by His teaching. They were in awe of the mighty works done by His hands. Yet, they were offended at Him because of whom they thought He was. His background was not covered in mystery. They knew Him well and knew His history. To them He was an uneducated local boy who had no right to talk to them the way He did. To them He was nothing special. They had known Him all His life.
The important thing was not what the people thought of Him and His work but what He thought about Himself. He was without fault, sinless and He knew what He was doing was honest and God ordained. Most people would have faltered under the peoples’ offense because of uncertainty about themselves. What is one to do?
We need to make sure we are being led by the Spirit of God. If we please Him, what else matters? For over 33 years I have poured out my life trying to help people here at New Life. The ministry has never been about me but some people have not seen this. You can’t help but think about all the people over the years that have gotten help here and then for some reason or other became offended and left. You carry that with you as pastor and try to search yourself for the answer. Then you finally realize that people do what they want to do. Endure, quit, or choose an easier path. I’m not better than Jesus. I have no right to be offended at the ones offended at me. Even though He was rejected He never changed His vision. Neither can we.
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Rom. 8:37(NKJV)
What are the “things” in which we are more than conquerors? The general answer is in the verses that precede the verse above. Check it out. Every one of these things is negative and creates circumstances that are adverse to the one who finds himself caught in them. Feeling like a conqueror during positive times can be easy but let the situation change and feelings don’t seem so encouraging. You are not “something” just because you “feel” like it.
Your feelings have nothing to do with the truth of God’s word. “But I don’t feel like I am more than a conqueror,” you might say. Wherein then lies the truth? Is it in God’s word or in your feelings? Something has to change in order to change the circumstances; so ask, “What?” God’s Word is settled forever and never changes so that means that the thing to change is your feelings.
Man does not live by his feeling, he lives by his faith. You are what the Word says you are. You must choose which you are going to trust. One of the choices brings life and the other brings death. Every day you are in the valley of decision and you need information to make the right choice to get out. Where are you getting your information? Is it from the world, your feelings, or the Word of God?
Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. What difference does it make how you feel? The important thing is that you believe the Word because God said it. You cannot have “faith” after the fact. Faith is activated before it happens not afterward. Accept the Word, love the Word, and know the Word then you will know you are “more than a conqueror” whether you feel like it or not. You won’t get very far living on your feelings; but the living Word of God says all things are possible. Do you believe this?
This copy of these confessions was a part of our church in August, 2006. Brother Charles Gearhart found this copy in his files.
A. Confession – I am teachable, I am highly skilled in the things of God, and therefore I have the results, of what I have learned.
B. Confession – I am saved, I am healed, I am prosperous in my finances, and I am using the gifts of the Spirit, to build up this local body.
C. Confession – I cast the mountain of lack into the sea, I know now that God’s plan for me is to have health and prosperity. I believe I have received 3 John 2.
D. Confession – I walk in God’s plan, I say what God says about me, I think his thoughts, therefore my future is prosperous, I have peace, my mind is alert, my heart is receptive.
E. Confession – I have the Holy Spirit, I think like he thinks, I am secure, I am safe and I am prosperous.
F. Confession – I have the word of God, to teach me how to prosper, and I have the Holy Ghost to guide me, so therefore I am a tornado of prosperity spinning poverty out of my life by the power of God!
G. Confession – God is not a liar, I will obey him in giving and I am receiving, therefore I will have no money problems.
Are you saying and believing these things? Or has the enemy come in and deceived you into believing less that what these confessions say? This is who we really are as part of the grace that Jesus Christ has given us. As we think about 2014, begin today to line up your believing and confessing with the Word of God. When all of New Life allows these confessions to become a part of their lives, look how powerful in the Lord the church will be and what an impact we can make in the community for the Lord! Encourage your children and youth to proclaim these confessions.
Psalm 100:1-5
The Message (MSG)
A Thanksgiving Psalm
100 1-2 On your feet now—applaud God!
Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.
3 Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn’t make him.
We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
4 Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.
5 For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.
WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR OPINION?
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones.” Prov. 3:7-8 (NKJV)
The above verse holds many important concepts for the man who wishes to have a blessed life. As we look at these verses, let us consider what he is saying. First of all he admonishes the reader not to have an exalted opinion of himself. The tone of one’s life will be set by the opinion one has of himself. If he holds an exalted opinion of himself, he will become arrogant and self-centered. He is always “right” and feels he should be in charge. This leads to being critical of others, bullying, and degrading others for their opinions.
If a person has a low opinion of himself, it will produce fruit not desirable for a blessed life. We usually refer to this as “low self-esteem” and lack of confidence. The fruit of this is a lack of confidence in ones-self to measure up to the expectations of others. Goals in life are usually not set very high because they know they won’t reach them anyway. This can lead to giving up on life itself. On the flip side over compensating for insecurity can lead to bullying, arrogance, and evil actions. A man’s actions are the results of the opinion he holds of himself. Too high an opinion or too low an opinion is the results of self-centeredness. It is the results of always thinking about self and how everything should make self happy. Base your opinion of self on God’s opinion of you.
There are four opinions held about you. They are: your opinion of yourself, others opinion of you, the devil’s opinion of you, and God’s opinion of you. Sadly, our opinion of ourselves is influenced by two of the other three depending on our choices. What is the source of influence leading to your opinion of yourself?
God’s opinion of you is that you were worth saving no matter what the cost. He gave His own son to die in your place. In other words, He sees you as highly valued. The devil sees you only as “junk”. To him the only thing you are good for is to tease and then totally destroy. Other people’s opinions are formed based on their fellowship with God or the devil. The best choice is God’s opinion of you. Fear (revere) the Lord and you will depart from evil. The results will be awesome! God tells you in His Word what he thinks of you. Why don’t you listen?
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” I Pet. 3:15-16 (NKJV)
Why do you believe what you believe? Furthermore, do you believe it enough to live by it? What good does it do for us to declare what we believe and then violate it by our actions? When Peter wrote the above, Christians were being accused of all manner of evil. They were being persecuted and killed because they were preaching a gospel unfamiliar to the society of that day.
They were asked questions concerning what they believed about the man Jesus and God Almighty. “Explain your hope of salvation and a future life,” was a question they were asked. When that question was answered, they had to be ready to back it up with their conduct or even their lives. In that situation you have to be sure of what you believe. Martyrs do not die for something they do not believe.
Early Christians were willing to die for what they believed because they were convinced it was true. Skeptics of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would want us to believe that it is a story made up and told by the disciples and Apostles to fool the world. Were they then ready to die for what they knew was a lie? They knew that their “hope” was real. They had met the risen Christ. I have met the risen Christ. Have you? My faith is not based on another man doctrine or opinion. Opinions and doctrines can be wrong, but Jesus Christ is real. When you really meet Him you will know it. Are you ready to give a defense for the hope that is in you? Or, would too much pressure cause you to give up the hope?
Do you really believe what you say you believe? Then live like you do!
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