Respond in the flesh or in Love

(Rom. 12:21) "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." This verse should have a profound impact on any believer who desires to see the blessing of God on his ministry. I have personally learned over the years that my reactions are just as important as the message that I preach. When conflict or persecution arises in our lives because of our witness, we have a choice to respond back in the flesh or to respond back in the love of Christ. The attack of evil is a common practice toward those that preach Christ, but in order for us to be victorious and see the power of God work in the hearts and lives of those that do evil to us, we must practice good back. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but spiritual. For example, (Lu 6:27-28) " Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you..." We have not been called to be vindictive, or hurtful, but rather to love all men, even if the men we love hate us, or do wicked things to us. Evil can be overcome, but it must be done God's way. Goodness is what performs the miracle !

Character

In (Rom.Chp.12) the most important character quality of the Christian, is love. We have been command here in this chapter to practice love by "being kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love," and as we continue, we also see that in order for us to treat one another with this affection it is important that we 1) "bless, and curse not." This teaching comes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. You see, it's not so easy to do good back to people that do bad to you, but the command is still the same regardless. We are to bless back. 2) "Rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with those that weep." It's easy to weep with those that are down, but it's not so easy to rejoice with those who are blessed and we're not. So love does not envy the success of others, but rejoices with them. 3)"Mind not high things" Love does not elevate itself above others or judge some as less important. Conceit is a terrible sin that chooses to elevate self, and look down on others.

Hospitality

(Rom. 12:13) 1) "Distributing to the necessity of saints;…" In other words, we of WSBC should be willing to help out one another when in need. The word distribute, means to partake or share in, but necessity could mean anything from money to just lending a hand. The key to this verse is to just be willing. God didn't call the church to pay one another's bills, but He did call us to help out when times get tough. Knowing that we have each other's back is a tremendous strength, and encouragement, and usually just enough to keep us going in hard times. 2) "given to hospitality," means to be given over to the practice of entertaining people. The problem with the church today is that we are no longer close brothers and sister in Christ, but rather casual acquaintances. To practice hospitality we must learn to open up our lives, and homes to the fellowship of the saints. The love of Christ demands that we love one another not just in word, but also in deed.

Let love be

(Rom. 12:9) "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." In order for us to successfully minister to others, we ourselves have to learn the practice of "agape love." A love that is both sacrificial and unconditional. In the above verse we are asked to practice love without hypocrisy or insincerely. In other words our love for others is supposed to reflect the same type of love that Christ has shown to us. A love that has the continual mindset of forgiveness and long-suffering toward others. That's why we must continually remind ourselves how much Christ has loved us and forgiven us. Also if we're going to love others as we ought we need to learn how to practice good and not evil. If our focus is on self or on the things of this world we will practice evil, but if it's focused on the things of God, we will practice good. We must learn the difference. That's why the above verse says "let love be." It's a choice we make

Renew

(Isaiah 40:31) "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." The word "wait" in the above verse, means to "Rely upon or lean upon for strength." It would be a wise thing for you and I to evaluate our walk in 2012. Sometimes we forget that the source of our strength is the Lord. If we are weary in well doing, it's usually because we have left the side of the Lord Jesus for selfish reasons or the cares of this world. If you desire to see your strength renewed as an eagle in flight, or to run and walk with the Lord without fatigue, then you need to repent and lean upon Jesus again in 2012. (John 15:5) "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
Let's not be disappointed in 2013 because we failed to renew our strength in 2012

Sin can be a unwanted side kick

(Gen.4:7) “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” This verse was spoken by God to Cain just before he murdered his brother Abel. Here, God attempted to warn Cain of the consequence of choosing sin over obedience. In the beginning God loved Cain just as much as He loved Abel, but when both brought an offering to the Lord only Abel’s was accepted. Why, because only Abel’s was in obedience to the will of God. Sadly, Cain learned first hand the significance of the above verse after he killed his brother. When we choose sin, sin like a crouching animal that waits at the door for attention, attaches itself to us like glue. Never leaving us, desiring our affection, and continually drawing us after its own pleasure, lest we learn how to rule over it. Through obedience God has promised us acceptance, but if we stubbornly choose to disobey Him, we gain a side kick that we will have to continually fight for control. Sin is a bad friend that will not leave you until you learn to repent an obey God & His Word!

Thank God

1Thess. 5:18) “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” It has been said that the happiest people in the world are those that are thankful, and they are happy because they have learned to trust the Lord in every circumstance in life. If we by faith come to the place where we believe that everything happens for a purpose (Rom. 8:28), then we will be able to thank the Lord when in both the good and bad times. For some reason we as believers have bought into this idea that if we are faithful then only good things will happen, and if we are bad then only bad things, but God wants us to see that both good and bad happen to all men alike, but the difference between those that are thankful and those that are not, is in their ability to simply trust God. Thank God for the good things, all of them, but thank God the more when in the bad times. Why, Because He is there for us every hour and every minute. The will of God is to be thankful, so may we this Thanksgiving be thankful, “in every- thing!”