Worldliness
Article: Active Engagement
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/dyet One of the reasons we're unsuccessful against temptation and sin is we don't take an active stance against it. 1 Peter 5:8-10 (KJV) - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen,...
Article: Blended Couches
Matthew 5:14-16 (KJV) - Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. The couch may partially disguise the soldier's uniform, but the solder is still a soldier. Many Christians often try to disguise who they are hoping not to draw attention to themselves (as Christians), but that's not what Jesus intended. He wants us to stand out from among the...
Article: Entertain Me?!
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/romexico There are many movies we would like to see because they provide an outlet of entertainment and fellowship. But as you seek movies for your enjoyment, you must consider the content and message of each. Many of the movies today contain images and messages that are ungodly. Cursing, sexual messages, nudity, senseless killing, blasphemy, etc. fill the box offices looking for our hard-earned dollars. As children of God, we must be careful of the movies we support. The movies described above do not support or provide the godly lifestyle our Father desires us to live. It only...
Article: Public Success, Private Failure
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/Mart1n Many people today lead different lives. They have different sets of behavior while at home and in public. Though this can be broken down even further, there are specific behaviors for the public and private life. People have a desire to be liked, understood, appreciated, and successful within their professional and personal life. To achieve these, people may adjust their conduct or character. (This doesn't mean the person will commit illegal acts.) Though someone may achieve success in their professional and personal life, they may experience the exact opposite in their...
Article: Pure Religion
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/bentedder James 1:27 (KJV) - Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. The word religion above is translated from the Greek as religious worship; especially external, that which consists of ceremonies (religious discipline).1 When the word 'religion' comes up in much of our society today, it comes of thoughts of a rules-based life that does not lead one closer to God. At first glance, we would feel our initial thoughts were...
Article: The Beauty of Now
Many days we think about when we will become 'somebody.' We want to have more money, the latest stuff, take a vacation, and be a celebrity (or at least well known). We want it so much that we often forget the beauty of all that surrounds us. We are fathers. We are mothers. We are brothers and sisters. We are family members. We are co-workers. We are supervisors. We are friends. We are children of God. There is great beauty in who we are right now. May we take a moment to consider the beauty of the relationships that surround us. May we see the benefit of our...
