June 9 STAND UP FOR JESUS Philippians 1:27-30
REMEMBER Vacation Bible School: Volunteer Meeting, June 12th at BTC, 3:00pm – 4:00pm ~ Kick-off July 10th, 3:00 -4:30pm ~ VBS: July 15th, 6:00pm – 8:30pm~ July 16th, 9:00am – 2:00pm
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Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” (Philippians 1:27-30)
Can you believe that I was told, just a few days ago, that I was controversial? Really? Sharing the Good News of the Love of God, through Jesus Christ, and the transforming power of His Grace, is controversial? SO, BE IT! I am witnessing a sad and factual phenomenon, that causes me to pray with more intensity, and to reach out to this lost and confused world, with more passion, and to be, as the Word declares, that “Bright Light” in this dismal and dark existence! Pay attention! What is it, in the 10 Commandments, that would cause a professing believer, to have a problem with the simple message of moral standards offered within the words of this simple, and effective standard for living? Oh yeah! When there are NO standards, then everything is acceptable and is deemed appropriate for everyone to participate. Evil is absolutely opposed to anything that will thwart the progression of lawlessness and the idea that, “if it feels good, do it!” The original deception occurred, in the Garden of Eden, and Adam & Eve, with the beautiful environment of the perfect paradise of the garden and the run of the entire place, yet with one restriction, and humanity just could not resist the wiles of the Devil! Folks, please understand that, as Born-Again Believers, and as Americans, we hold dual citizenship. We are privileged to be Americans and live in a land that, at least at this moment, still has a measurable level of personal freedoms, yet as Born-Again, Blood Bought Believers, our citizenship in the Kingdom of God, must take priority! Everything that we do, everything that we say, should reflect the commitment to God, and the reverence for His will for our lives. How is it possible, that a professing believer, can espouse a political position that is absolutely and diametrically opposed to the teachings of Almighty God, that are found in His Holy Word? I am amazed, and I will continue to be amazed, at what is acceptable behavior for some, and the idea that the twisted and perverse nature of the behaviors of many, are deemed appropriate! Keep this one fact in mind! I respect ones “right” to determine what and how one does anything, and I respect the idea of personal freedoms (as Americans), yet I do not understand how a professing Christian can accept and participate in actions and positions that are in direct conflict with the same Word that proclaims the Good News of God’s Love and Grace! FACT: There are wolves among us, that are clothed in “sheep’s wool!” FACT: This evil and debase world hates you and all that you stand for, as a Born-Again, Living by Standards, Believer! John 15:19 speaks the fact to us… “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” FACT: I am to live peacefully, as possible, with everyone, but that does not mean that I am going to compromise my Faith, my Witness, my Commitments, in order to placate a twisted and deceptive moral standard! BOTTOM LINE!! BELIEVERS, IT IS TIME TO CHOOSE! WHO ARE YOU GOING TO SERVE? WHAT IS GOING TO DETERMINE YOUR STANDARDS OF ACCEPTABILITY AND YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF TWISTED BEHAVIORS? WILL YOU COMPROMISE YOUR FAITH TO APPEASE A WORLD SYSTEM THAT HATES YOU? WILL YOU DESTROY YOUR WITNESS TO BE APPROVED BY THIS EVIL AND DEBASE WORLD? Choose today who you will serve! As Joshua 24:15 says, “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Regardless of what may come my way, I choose to claim God’s Love for me and His saving and redeeming Grace, through the Blood of Jesus, and I choose to serve GOD BOLDLY and CONFIDENTLY! HOW ABOUT YOU? Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!