FROM THE KEYBOARD

What is happening in our country and world is not political, it's spiritual. And since it's spiritual, every true Christian is charged by God to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them" (Ephesians 5:11). You see, the writing is on the wall and "Christians" who cannot see it are clearly not reading the writing of God's will. If we don't wake up to it, we won't be able to wake up from it.

Trusting in God’s providence produces perseverance. In other words, when we place our faith in God's faithfulness, our lives are given a shot of endurance. So with our eyes upward, we can keep fighting forward in a world that is wayward. "Therefore we...

We are either taking our mark from the Word or we are taking our mark from the world. And likewise, from where we take our mark will be the influence by which we leave our mark. And that is why we need to keep our eyes on Christ so that it's from the landmark of His life that we leave a mark on others. "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).

The most powerful sermon communicated is not by lip but by life. In other words, Paul not only sent letters to the early church, but he presented his life as well as an example of what it looks like to trust the Lord through many trials. Again, such "sermons" speak volumes and affirm the truth that “we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

Because of Jesus, the believer isn’t just “acquitted” from guilt. But because of Jesus, the believer also acquires God’s grace. And these implications are huge. You see, when we put our faith in Christ, we aren't just forgiven from all unrighteousness, but we are even given God's very own righteousness. Praise the Lord, for we are acquitted of guilt and we have acquired His grace.

God is more interested in developing us through our trials than delivering us from our trials. He knows what He's doing, so let us trust Him and keep going. "Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer" (Romans 12:12).