Fod God so loved the world, that He anointed me after His only begotten Son. That I would have the gift to lead souls to Christ and to the path of Holiness. That whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Speaking the Truth in Love
Comfortable or not, it is always the role of the believer to speak the truth in love. Just as a doctor is obliged to cut out a cancer if he is to fulfill his role of worthy physician, so we are compelled to speak the truth of God's Word with compassion. God says that we must warn people of the wrath to come, or their blood will be on our hands. It's the same message Paul communicated to young Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2:
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
This is what Daniel did once again. The prophet of God was not afraid. He had been given a message from God, and he would deliver it. Daniel was prepared to stand firm in his convictions. Even in a direct one-on-one situation with the king, Daniel did not hesitate to say, "Thus saith the Lord."
Turn Loose of Hindrances
God help us to keep our lives pure. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us (Hebrews 12:1).
Let's lay aside "every weight" -- we can't be just partially pure, you see. We must lay everything aside. The writer goes on to say, "and the sin which doth so easily beset us." I'm fully convinced that each of us has a tendency toward something that could cause us to fall. The passage doesn't say "sins," but the one particular thing that so easily gets to you. You know what it is in your life -- I know what it is in mine.
We need to examine ourselves to know where our weaknesses lie so that we can defend ourselves against the devil's temptations.
I was reading a devotional book about a woman who was extremely obese and was having a real struggle losing weight. (She may have been like the person who said temptation never bothered him because when it came around, he succumbed.)
As this lady was praying, she said, "Lord, You see what a problem I'm having. Why don't You just take away my appetite?"
And the Lord answered, "If I did, what would you have to do?"
You can keep yourself under control. You can avoid things you know are hindrances to victorious living. You can lay aside the weights that slow you down... the temptations that are your greatest weaknesses. God will protect you from the evil one. He will not protect you from yourself!
Be a witness in your "world"
This can happen to you, too. You have a mission field to work for the Lord...right where you are. The Bible says, The steps of a good man [or woman] are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way (Psalm 37:23). Think of it -- you don't take a single step by accident. God sends you wherever you go for a reason. Someone in your "world" needs to see the witness of your life and to hear your testimony in your everyday conversation. Don't ever forget this. The Bible says, Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man [or woman] be found faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2).
Patience to Endure
Let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1).
Everyone in the race can look like a champion at the starting line. But that's not where it counts! The winner is determined at the end of the course!
It's not enough to start strong. We must be patient... and have endurance. I noticed in the Olympics that particularly in the long races, the winner often was not the runner who started off in front. Sometimes the winner didn't make his move to the front until the final lap.
Patience and endurance are just as important to a successful Christian life as the dedication and commitment one has at the start.
At the end of his life, the Apostle Paul could say, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day (11 Timothy 4:7,8).
"Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm."
It is your duty and mine to obey God, and to give honor and respect to those who declare the word of truth. Some of today's "lions" waiting to devour God's servants may not be of the four-legged variety, but they, too, will surely pay the price if they demonstrate by their actions that they are failing to live in obedience to God's warning about His
