Single-Minded Focus

September 5   Single-Minded Focus    James 1:8

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8)

The longer that I live, the more that I am amazed at the inconsistent attitudes and actions of those who profess to be Born Again Believers, and I am constantly reminded of the necessity of remaining focused on what is real and just and edifying to my Savior.  A few years ago, the Texas Legislature passed a restrictive bill, limiting the timeline on abortions.  Fascinatingly, many professing believers found a “Soap-box,” in order to decry the violation of one’s rights, restated, the right to end the life of an unborn baby.  In the summer of 2020, I discovered, personally, that my Faith and Worldly Politics, could not and must not mix.  My Faith and My Commitment to Christ is the standard for my living and the Worldly influences must not take priority (It requires all of my concentration and the power of the Holy Spirit to achieve this).  How can we participate and support anything that is in direct conflict with the Holy Scriptures and still have a growing and dynamic relationship with God? How can we promote, by word and deeds, concepts that are absolutely opposed to the teaching of our Savior, JESUS CHRIST? You absolutely cannot serve two Masters!! What is more important?  Our limited and temporal existence, here on earth, or our eternal citizenship?  James 3:10 tells us, “Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”  BOTTOM LINE:  You are either for God and all that is associated with Him, or you are not!  I am committed to living, as much as possible, “peacefully” with everyone, even the hard to love, however, I draw the line when it violates the eternal and divine relationship with my Savior.  We, as believers, must make God, and His Ways, our ways and we must present ourselves as growing and forgiven witnesses of His Great Love and we must not be entangles in the issues of the world that tatter and destroy our witness!  We must be what He expects us to be!  1 Corinthians 14:8 tells us, clearly, “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?”  Is your “Trumpet” playing an uncertain sound?  Are you living with one foot in the world and one in the presence of God?  Remember---“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways!”  The world will be offended by your commitment, your lifestyle, and your witness!  Please take inventory of your life and determine who you will serve and how you will live!  Matthew 5:10-14 tells us “How’ and why’s” of serving Him… “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”  Be Real, Be Consistent, Be HIS Light in this dark and evil world… Remember, Your Political and Social Opinions Really Don’t Matter; It is the Fact of HIS WORD, and the Implementation of That Word, into Our Lives that really matters!!Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!

PS… Thank you to all of you who have been so encouraging, and prayerfully supportive, over these past years, and please know that I appreciate each one of you and consider it a privilege to serve our God together! Regardless of what the future holds, always remember that you are loved and genuinely appreciated! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!