Steadfast Men in a Shifting World

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58

Men, the world shifts daily. Pressures rise, responsibilities multiply, and opposition to truth increases. Yet God calls us to be stedfast — firmly planted in conviction. He calls us to be unmoveable — not easily shaken by culture, criticism, or circumstances. And He commands us to be always abounding — not barely participating, but overflowing in faithfulness.

Your labour — at work, in your home, in our church, in private obedience — is not wasted. The word “labour” speaks of toil that costs something. God sees it. God records it. God rewards it.

Growth Point:

Stand firm in your convictions.
Lead faithfully in your homes.
Serve diligently in your church.
And remember — nothing done for Christ is ever in vain.

Have a strong week in the Lord.

Positive Influence

"I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one."

1 John 2:13-14

You do not have to invest hours of research to know that our society has major problems. The Christian principles that undergirded the foundation of our nation are being destroyed at a rapid place and replaced with a hostility that we have never seen in our country. As a result, some believers are discouraged. Their lives are characterized by a worry about the future and a fear of what may happen. That is not the way God intends for us to live. He wants us to not only be confident but to encourage others as well.

President Dwight Eisenhower, who commanded the Allied armies in Europe during World War II said, “Optimism and pessimism are infectious, and they spread more rapidly from the head downward than in any other direction. Optimism has a most extraordinary effect upon all with whom the commander comes in contact. With this clear realization, I firmly determined that my mannerisms and speech in public would always reflect the cheerful certainty of victory—that any pessimism and discouragement I might ever feel would be reserved for my pillow.”

Each of us influences others daily, and we should make sure that our influence is a positive one. God does not promise us calm and peaceful lives in the absence of persecution, but He does promise that we will be victorious. His power is the guarantee of our triumph over the world.

Growth Point: 

Live each day with confidence in the ultimate victory that God has promised in His Word.

 

 

How to Keep Walking the Right Way

 "Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

Amos 3:1-3

God had a special covenant relationship with the nation of Israel, but they repeatedly turned away from following Him despite His goodness to them. The people of the surrounding lands drew their hearts away. Their desire to be liked and accepted by their neighbors overwhelmed their desire to be true to God. So they began to worship other gods and abandoned their moral values. As a result, they no longer agreed with God and could not walk with Him.

It has been said, “Most men change their fellowship before they change their doctrine.” We need to be extremely careful of who we allow to influence our thinking and our actions. Today we often hear people call for unity, but without regard to truth. That is a recipe for disaster. Charles Spurgeon said, “Truth alone must determine our alignments. Truth comes before unity, because unity without truth is hazardous. Our Lord's prayer for His disciples in John 17 must be read in its full context. Look at verse 17: 'Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.' Only those sanctified through the Word can be one in Christ. To teach otherwise is to betray the gospel.”

Those with whom we walk will influence us to become increasingly like them over time. This is a natural process, and no one is exempt from it. Just as a sick person infects someone who is well rather than the other way around, our walk will be pulled away from God if we associate with those who are not committed to following Him.

Growth Point: 

Choose your influences wisely, for these choices greatly determine the direction of your future.