Faith Focus for November 28

December: Being Meek

Psalm 37:11
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Meekness is power under control.

Faith Focus for November 21

November: Being Content

1 Chronicles 16:34
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Being thankful for the blessings of God extends them. Failing to be thankful ends them.

Faith Focus for November 14

November: Being Content

Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

"If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine." - Elisabeth Elliot

20 Qualities to Pursue - Part Two

See Part One

Here are the final ten:
11. Learn to make good decisions Biblically. Consider how you make decisions. Are they based upon emotion, impulse, and personal desires? Or are they based upon God’s Word, the leading of the Spirit, and the wise thing to do? Learn to do the right thing no matter how hard it is or what it costs.
12. Learn to control your temper. People who cannot control themselves do hurtful things to others. God wants us to be angry at sin but loving towards people.
13. Learn to have a great testimony. Past friendships, past trouble, present friends, dress, music, lifestyle, posture, countenance, habits, and outward appearances all impact what others think of you. This is called your name or your testimony, and you must learn to protect it. God says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1).
14. Learn to work hard. Life is hard work, especially family life. Even church life, if you are in a position of ministry, takes hard work. Take value in the work you do. If you wait until the last minute, sloppily do your work, and then don’t care about the outcome, you’re developing lazy character. Learn how to pour your best into everything you’re given to do. Develop a solid work ethic, and don’t be afraid of hard work.
15. Learn to take care of your body. Stay healthy, eat right, and discipline yourself. Your body belongs to God and is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Bad health habits will greatly limit your usefulness to God.
16. Learn to tithe and to trust God. If a man will rob from God, that man should not be trusted. Of everything that God gives to you, give Him back at least ten percent through your church.
17. Learn to be real and sincere. Stop playing games, and refuse to be a hypocrite. Too many young adults act one way around friends and another way around authorities. This will only make your future worse!
18. Learn to be understanding and accepting of others. Not everybody is just like you or your close friends. That doesn’t make you better. Godly people love and treat everybody with decency and respect.
19. Learn to get along with others. Some people seem to relish conflict. Like that Charlie Brown character, Pig Pen, everywhere they go they have a little dust cloud of fights, gossip, and strife following them. When there is no strife, they make it up—it’s like Dracula needing blood! They must have it. Don’t be this way and don’t spend time with these people.
20. Learn to have discernment and discretion. Discernment is the ability to perceive and see things through God’s wisdom. Discretion is knowing what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. This is the opposite of being obnoxious, foolish, flirtatious, and boisterous. It’s not having to be the center of attention, but letting God be the center of attention. For a young lady, the Bible calls this a “meek and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4).

Understanding the Early Years of Adulthood - Part Three

Friends—
Who will you hang around and spend time with? Who will you be like and be associated with? What kind of person do you want to become? Who will you decide you want acceptance from and why even care about acceptance? These issues are very significant. People will judge you based upon the people you spend time with. “Not fair,” you might think. Wrong. It’s completely fair, and you do the same thing. You’re human, and God makes it clear that man looks at the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).
“Yeah, but God looks at the heart,” you argue.
Yeah, but man looks at the outward appearance. People only have what you give them to formulate their opinion of you. If it’s a bad opinion, it’s probably your fault. Don’t go blaming everyone else for misjudging you. Take a look in the mirror and study what you’re giving them to work with. Start with a good look at your friends.
The fact is people are right in judging you this way because you will become like the people you spend time with. So rather than looking for who’s cool, who’s “in,” or who’s acceptable, start looking for who you want to be like and be associated with and make them your friends. Hopefully, those people will be people who are faithful to God and serving Him. This decision determines who you will be like which again has profound effects on everything else—who will marry you, who will hire you, who will help you in time of trial…on and on.

20 Qualities to Pursue - Part One

1. Learn to be spiritual. Seek first God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33). Desire to do God’s will more than anything. Be involved in winning others, serving God, and walking faithfully.

2. Learn to develop godly character. This is subconsciously doing right, or, as someone put it, “right by reflex.” This includes the ability to say no to sin, get up on time, be on time, etc. Character is who you are when no one is around.

3. Learn to be loyal. Start with God and authorities. Be loyal to your church and pastor. Learn to take a stand and to speak in defense of those who love you. Don’t put up with gossip and bad attitudes.

4. Learn to treat your family well. If you treat your parents and siblings right, you will one day treat your spouse and children right.

5. Learn stability. Learn how to be content and to wait on God. Don’t be constantly reconsidering good decisions, looking for the next fun thing, or changing your mind about what you believe. Learn to establish your heart in God—don’t have a “plan B.” Be constant and consistent—in your attitude, your service, your respect, and your treatment of others. Learn to not quit when things get tough!

6. Learn to develop convictions. Do you know what you believe and why? It’s time to establish your own convictions and personal standards (with the help of godly authorities). Learn to stand on what is right and not to waver. Have convictions as strong as those of the guy or girl to whom you may be attracted!

7. Learn to look sharp. Have a clean and appropriate appearance. Learn to dress right for various occasions. Guys—keep a short haircut, dress sharp, and avoid worldly styles. Cut your nails, wash your hands, polish your shoes, iron your shirts. Girls—be modest, feminine, and godly in your appearance.

8. Learn to set and pursue goals. Set your direction in life. Decide what you would like to learn, read, do, and experience to become the right person. Set goals for sharing the Gospel with people, serving God faithfully, giving, and helping others—and then pursue those goals until they are fulfilled. Then set new goals! Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish….” Today’s average high school senior upon graduation has no idea what to be or do. This is is usually due to a poor walk with God. I'm not saying you have to know exactly what you are going to be or do; but start taking inventory of how the Holy Spirit has gifted you and check your desires to see if they line up with Scripture. Then be in ceaseless prayer and counsel from godly, Biblical authorities as you seriously consider the direction the Lord may be leading you.

9. Learn to be unselfish and submissive. Begin to live for others. Give other people their way in areas where it will not compromise Truth, just because you want to be nice. Think of others before yourself. This is what it takes to have a strong family someday.

10. Learn to be respectful and attentive. Build great listening skills in church, in school, or when another person is speaking.

Faith Focus for November 7

November: Being Content

2 Corinthians 10:12
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Nothing will destroy contentment like comparison.