VALUES THAT ENDURE

June 17      Values that Endure        1 Thessalonians 1:3

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

This life, that God has provided, is truly an adventure!  Sadly, Satan has done an amazing job of denying so many the skills necessary to live a successful, meaningful life.  Over the last several generations, the standards of “right” and “wrong” have undergone some troubling adjustments.  My parents, along with the parents of my friends, instilled in me the standards of living that would sustain my relationships with others and a clear foundation, based on the truths of almighty God.  This is just a personal observation; however, the evidence is quantifiable.  Recently, I had Annette in the Doctor’s office, and every seat was taken, and an elderly (and if I deem them elderly, you know that they were ancient) lady came in, with the aid of a walker.  There were 3 young people seated and, amazingly; me and another older man got up to offer her a chair.  The young folks were glued to their phones and were not even aware of the actions taking place.  Our Standards, our values, our recognition of right and wrong… What has happened to our thoughts?  Sin, deception, evil and a willingness to participate in the Satanic Lie are defining a generation.  My parents; and I suspect, your parents, instilled in you a respect for what is proper and decent and expected you to act accordingly.  My folks would set the example of proper behavior and would, from time to time, gently nudge me in the correct way (if a nudge didn’t work, then a stronger method of motivation was employed).  My dear mother taught me to be friendly!  She told me, over and over, “it costs nothing to be “friendly!”  Mama would talk to a “Sign Post!”  “How are you going to tell someone about Jesus if you don’t talk to them?”  This is a factual statement, and as Followers of Christ, we must live by HIS STANDARDS and SHARE HIS WORDS OF HOPE with this CHAOTIC and LOST WORLD.  When I think od values and the standards for living, I am immediately drawn to Micah 6:8.  “He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”   Regardless of the actions of others, you are required to live by the standards of God!  Let your life reflect and produce the “Fruit of the Spirit!”  “The Fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, and SELF-CONTROL.”  Are you living by these standards?  If not, you should!  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!!