“Be on the alert...stand firm in the faith...act like men...be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)
Where did we get the idea that everybody has to like us? Cause certainly that myth didn’t come from the Word of God! How do I know? Because Jesus said His blessings were reserved for the “...PERSECUTED ...[and] REVILED” (Matthew 5:10-11). Therefore, if you’re thin-skinned, you forfeit His blessing!
Endurance is the secret, Not Popularity!
Paul Endured desertion by friends, ugly letters from the Corinthians, disappointment with the Galatians, mistreatment in Philippi, mocking in Athens, plus imprisonment and beheading in Rome! And yet despite all this, we still find Paul giving 4 Valuable Lessons we need to follow today!
Remember: This Is Only For the Thick-Skinned!:
1. BE ON THE ALERT! In case you didn't know, the enemy is out to get you!And I don't mean to hurt you, but to Kill You! According to the Word of God, "The thief's [the enemy's] purpose is to steal AND KILL AND DESTROY..." (John 10:10 NLT). And what does he want to steal, kill and destroy? The Deposit of God Within You! Even the devil knows you have a seed capable of producing a harvest for God in the earth that will wreck havoc in hell, that's why you've got to protect yourself and guard your gifts! Stay in the Word, in Worship, in Praise, in Prayer, in Fasting, and in the Presence of the Lord! Make it your business to surround yourself with ALERT PEOPLE! “Iron Sharpens Iron”. Therefore, surround yourself with people who are fighting just as hard as you to Stay Alert! In other words, if you want to stay focused, hang around focused people! If you want to enter Destiny, hang around Destiny-Driven people! Now the word 'Alert' means to be 'Quick To Notice And Respond To Danger Or Unusual Circumstances.' It's origin is from the Italian word All'erta' which means 'To The Watchtower.' In other words, you need Nehemiah-like folks around you! Nehemiah-like folks speak like this: "I knew they were scheming to hurt me so I sent messengers back with this: "I'm doing a great work; I can't come down. Why should the work come to a standstill just so I can come down to see you?" (Nehemiah. 6:2-3 MSG). People of God, surround yourself with folks alert enough, to be quick enough, to notice and respond to the schemes, devices and attacks of the enemy! Understand the greater the anointing, the greater the attacks, therefore, the greater your alertness needs to be! So Be On The Alert!
2. STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH! You can’t stand on your circumstances or the opinions of others, because those things Constantly Change! You can stand Only on the Word of God. "...Sky and earth will wear out; MY WORDS WON'T..." (Matthew 24:35 MSG). Remember daily what the Lord has done, is doing and has promised to do. "...don't forget a single blessing!" (Psalm 103:2 MSG). “He is the same yesterday, today and forevermore”! Therefore, keep before you daily the Promises of God! "Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus...By His Spirit He has stamped us with His pledge - a sure beginning of what He is destined to complete." (2 Corinthians 1:20 MSG). The Word further declares, "...God is not man, one given to lies, and not a son of man changing His mind. Does He speak and not do what He says? Does He promise and not come through?" (Numbers 23:19 MSG). Lastly, "...Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don't go back until they've watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, SO WILL THE WORDS THAT COME OUT OF MY MOUTH NOT COME BACK EMPTY-HANDED. THEY'LL DO THE WORK I SENT THEM TO DO, THEY'LL COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT I GAVE THEM" (Isaiah 55:11 MSG). So Stand Firm In The Faith knowing that w
