If ye were of the world, the world would love his own:
but because ye are not of the world,
but I have chosen you out of the world,
therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:19
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;
I have overcome the world.
John 16:33b
For he hath said,
I will never leave thee,
nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5b
but because ye are not of the world,
but I have chosen you out of the world,
therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:19
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer;
I have overcome the world.
John 16:33b
For he hath said,
I will never leave thee,
nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5b
Have you ever considered the religions and religious people--some very well known--who are warmly embraced by the mainstream media? Beware. Be wise. Jesus said the world will hate those who belong to Him. A strange barometer it is, but I've noted with great interest its seeming accuracy.
Sometimes there isn't an abundance of love and acceptance for those who speak the truth, especially when the truth stings or threatens to interfere with another's style of living. Religion is held in high regard. Biblical Christianity is not popular. Speaking the truth today often requires courage and a true commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. It's sometimes more comfortable to exercise (or reap the benefits of) the increasingly popular tolerance...at the expense of truth. There seem to be a lot of people enjoying a lukewarm Christianity bath and if the heat is turned up, they may come leaping out of the tub...at you.
Sometimes there isn't an abundance of love and acceptance for those who speak the truth, especially when the truth stings or threatens to interfere with another's style of living. Religion is held in high regard. Biblical Christianity is not popular. Speaking the truth today often requires courage and a true commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. It's sometimes more comfortable to exercise (or reap the benefits of) the increasingly popular tolerance...at the expense of truth. There seem to be a lot of people enjoying a lukewarm Christianity bath and if the heat is turned up, they may come leaping out of the tub...at you.
Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Galatians 4:16
Galatians 4:16
God's children are sometimes called to stand alone. We all realize we're never truly alone because our Lord is always with us, but when voices rise against us, or all others seem to flee from our presence, we sometimes feel alone.
Are you alone in your community? Alone in your neighborhood? Alone in your church? Alone in your home? If you feel you're alone, I have just the message for you to read. It was emailed to me by a ministry when our family left a church where we'd been in fellowship for a year-and-a-half. We became what's known in the seeker-sensitive church movement as "blessed subtractions". According to Rick Warren, guru of the church growth movement:
"Be willing to let people leave the church. And I told you earlier the fact that people are gonna leave the church no matter what you do. But when you define the vision, you're choosing who leaves. You say, 'But Rick, yes, they're the pillars of the church.' Now, you know what pillars are. Pillars are people who hold things up ... And in your church, you may have to have some blessed subtractions before you have any real additions." (FOUNDATION Magazine, March-April 1998)
I urge you to read this very encouraging message and trust you'll find solace in it if you're standing alone:
Are you alone in your community? Alone in your neighborhood? Alone in your church? Alone in your home? If you feel you're alone, I have just the message for you to read. It was emailed to me by a ministry when our family left a church where we'd been in fellowship for a year-and-a-half. We became what's known in the seeker-sensitive church movement as "blessed subtractions". According to Rick Warren, guru of the church growth movement:
"Be willing to let people leave the church. And I told you earlier the fact that people are gonna leave the church no matter what you do. But when you define the vision, you're choosing who leaves. You say, 'But Rick, yes, they're the pillars of the church.' Now, you know what pillars are. Pillars are people who hold things up ... And in your church, you may have to have some blessed subtractions before you have any real additions." (FOUNDATION Magazine, March-April 1998)
I urge you to read this very encouraging message and trust you'll find solace in it if you're standing alone:
