The Struggle For The Faith

Have you learned to rejoice, no matter what your situation may be? What do you think, despite what you feel? We must accept how it is, no matter what we feel.

Many people are obsessed with what is going on in culture. We can be concerned, but not be a part of the situation. The enemy attempts to put you in an arena that puts you off balance. No one gets a pass; we have to walk worthy of our vocation. We are supposed to be about our Father's business.

Many are concerned about the end of this age, but we must be concerned about the end of our lives. You do not want to leave without having lived a good life; you will have to present to Him. We have to keep in mind the eternal consequences of our decisions. We have to answer to Him. He does not have to answer to us.

We live in a version of Sodom and Gomorrah. It is only because of the lives of the believers who live here that this nation receives mercy. This is similar to the situation with Abraham and Lot. Sodom was living while shaking its fists in the face of God. God wanted to find fifty righteous people. Not perfect people, but righteous people. God is not a monster. He gave them a chance. In fact, he lowered the bar to find a certain number of people who would persuade Him to spare the entire city. The end of that story was that Sodom was destroyed. We cannot flit around with the devil in darkness, thinking that we are not seen. God wants to save. He uses the life of the believer to draw those in darkness to salvation.

We must contend and struggle "for the faith". We have to speak up "for the faith".

The western church is sick and anemic. We hear screams for justice, but do not hear prayers for righteousness. There is an air of anti-righteousness. Do not be like a Ken or Barbie with a string in the back, causing them to say something. Culture will attempt to tell you what to say and how to think.

We must evaluate ourselves to see if we are in sin, and especially see if we are sinning against ourselves. It is the sin within that pulls us down. Do not look around to see who your man is, but look up to God. If you cannot win from within, you can't win from without [on the outside]. If you cannot contend, you will pretend.

We do not have much time. We have to be ready.