“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:2 NASB)

Resistance is not futile

In the Star Trek® television series, an adversary calling themselves the Borg attacks the Starship Enterprise while saying to them, “Resistance is futile; you will be assimilated!” The captain of the Enterprise and his crew do not give in but resist the enemy strongly and eventually overcome them and win. In a similar way, the devil and his demons attack us and want us to believe that resistance is futile. But the Bible instructs us to be strong. To submit ourselves to God. To resist the devil and his schemes, and then he will flee. We will persevere!

Submit yourself to God and resist the devil

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 ESV)

God will help you escape

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13 ESV)

Therefore

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.” (Eph. 6:10-18 ESV)

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.” (1 John 1-1-4 NIV)

Proclaim what “you have seen and heard”

At the conclusion of a recent business trip, I was picked up by an Uber driver to take me to the airport. As I usually do, I asked him a few personal questions to be friendly and to know a little about who was driving me. His name is Felix; he is 47, had moved here from the Dominican Republic, and loves it here. He then asked me what I was visiting his city for. I told him I was there in a chaplain capacity for an automotive recycling association to facilitate morning prayer meetings and speak to the attendees about Jesus Christ. I told him how Jesus had changed my life many years before when I had found a little booklet that explained the gospel message. I told him what I had learned for the first time from that booklet: that all have sinned and are lost (John 3:23); that Christ died to pay for our sins (Rom. 6:23); that we must turn from our sins (Acts 3:19); and we must receive Him personally in prayer (John 1:12). I told him that I had prayed to invite Christ into my life while driving. And my life was instantly turned around. He thanked me for sharing my story with him and said he was looking for help, too, but didn’t know how to find it. I told him that Jesus is the answer, easily found, and asked if he’d like me to pray with him to receive Christ. He said "yes,” and we prayed together just before we arrived to the airport. He was filled with joy, and so was I. I asked him for his address and promised to send him a Bible (the next day I did). This entire conversation was friendly, natural, and only took a few minutes. But it changed Felix's life. 

Sharing your personal experience

In the Bible passage at the top, the author says, “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard.” They tell of their personal experience concerning what they “have seen with their own eyes and what they have personally touched with their own hands." This approach to sharing one's faith is amazingly effective because it is difficult to argue against someone’s personal experience. In fact, the most powerful witness tool you have as a Christian is your own personal testimony accompanied with God’s Word, as they say above, “concerning the Word of life.” 

Therefore

·      Be prepared to gently and respectively give an answer

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15b NIV)

·      Graciously make the most of opportunities

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Col. 4:5-6 ESV)

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)

To God be blessing, honor, glory and might forever and ever

“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Rev. 5:13 ESV)

Honor Him in your heart as holy

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15 ESV)

Honor Him with your body

“For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor. 6:20 ESV)

Honor Him with your wealth

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.” (Prov. 3:9 ESV)

Honor Him Forever

“To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Tim. 1:17 ESV)

Therefore

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship.” (Rom 12:1 NIV)

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Rev 4:11)

Reasons to praise God

There are many compelling reasons to give glory, honor, and praise to God. First, it is because of who He is—He is God, and that alone is reason enough! He is the Creator who made everything that exists—the universe and its trillions of stars and planets, which He calls by name (Psalm 147:4); the world and everything in it, including you. He is worthy and deserves praise! Additionally, praise Him because He is present when you do; “He inhabits the praises of His people” (Psalm 22:3 and Psalm 109:4).

Psalms 150 tells us where, why, and how, to praise God

·      Praise Him in His sanctuary

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary.” (Psalms 150:1a NIV)

·      Praise Him in His mighty heavens

Praise him in his mighty heavens!” (Psalms 150:1b NIV)

·      Praise Him for His mighty deeds

“Praise him for his mighty deeds.” (Psalms 150 2a NIV)

·      Praise Him for His excellent greatness 

“Praise him according to his excellent greatness!” (Psalms 150:2b NIV)

·      Praise Him with music and dance

“Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!” (Psalms 150:3-5 NIV)

Therefore

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” (Psalms 150:6a NIV)

“Praise the Lord.” (Psalms 150:6b NIV)

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” (Prov. 19:20 ESV)

The late, great actor John Wayne is credited with saying, "You can't fix stupid!" He had probably observed that some people, no matter their level of education, consistently make unwise decisions that cannot be remedied. The issue lies not in their knowledge or education but in their ability to make sound judgments. Wise individuals consistently avoid foolish behavior, relying on good sense over mere knowledge. According to the Bible, obtaining wisdom is the most important thing to obtain: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding.” (KJV Prov. 4:7)

John Wayne was correct, in saying that you “cannot fix stupid,” in other people, but the good news is that you can gain wisdom for yourself with God’s help by asking Him for it and by studying and applying His Word to things and by surrounding yourself with wise counselors.

God gives wisdom to those who ask Him 

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

There is victory in the abundance of counselors 

“For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Prov. 24:6 ESV) 

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Prov. 11:14 ESV)

Fools do not take advice

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Prov. 12:15 ESV)

“By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.” (Prov. 13:10 ESV) 

Therefore

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matt. 7:24) 

“Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:11-12 ESV)

This is troubling

A headline I saw recently on a social media site about a well-known television preacher - “Exposed! A shocking look at why he is a fraud!” I did not read the article. I am sure it was meant to discredit and harm him. It seems the more famous you are, the more critics you will have to judge and attack you. Jesus not only had them, but they also crucified Him. I believe you should never attack others. Leave judgement to God because He will deal with these things correctly.

Passing judgement 

“Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Rom. 14:4 ESV)

Don’t side with the devil, who is the accuser of the brethren

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.” (Rev. 12:10 NKJV)

Therefore

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Gal. 6:1 ESV)

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:3-4 ESV)

The big secret

One of my favorite conference speakers was the late great Zig Ziglar. He was fun to listen to. He was animated, enthusiastic and passionate about everything he spoke about. He said the big secret to becoming a success at anything you do is to do everything you can to make others successful. He said if you did this, you would automatically become successful as a result. It is the biblical principle of sowing and reaping at work; you always get yourself exactly what you do to others. He was so right! The above verse makes it clear with the command, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Do to others what you wish they would do to you

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 7:12 ESV)

Bless others and be blessed yourself

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.” (Prov. 11:25-26 ESV)

Therefore

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” (Eph. 5:1 ESV)

“If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20 ESV) 

A hypocrite defined 

A hypocrite is a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs. In short, a liar. 

The truth is not in the hypocrite

“Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:4 ESV)

The hypocrite’s heart is far from God

“You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” (Matt. 15:7-9 ESV)

Hypocrites won’t escape God’s judgement

“Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?”

Covered things will be revealed 

“Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” (Luke 12:2 ESV)

The answer to hypocrisy 

“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” (Matt. 7:5 ESV)

Therefore

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16 ESV)

“Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!”  (Psalm 150:2 NKJV)

God inhabits praises

“He inhabits the praises of His people.”  (Psalm 22:3 NKJV) 

You enter God’s courts with praise 

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”  (Psalm 100:4 NKJV)

You should show fourth praises

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;" (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV)

Praise all day long

"And my tongue shall speak of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.” (Psalm 35:28 NKJV)

Praise with songs

“Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”  (Psalms 95:2-3 NKJV)

Therefore

“I will give you thanks in the great congregation: I will praise you among much people.” (Psalm 35:18 NKJV)