But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

If we are going to be God's people we must be "unmovable".

Being unmovable is being steadfast in our walk with God.

The definition for steadfast is to be constant, firm, unwavering, determined, singlemindedness, unflinching, unfatigable.

Are you determined that nothing is going to move you from the Rock Jesus Christ?

Have things come your way that tempts you to move away from the Rock? How are you when the going gets tough?

There is a price to pay for serving God.

We have to count the cost and that means we may have to seperate ourselves from:

• old associations
• our own way
• things of the world
• wordly social life-style
• our own families behaviors
• time
• our fleshly desires

If we do these things we will enjoy the presence of God in our lives and have God's blessings on us as long as we are willing to count the cost.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:35-37

God tells us over and over again in the bible that if we obey and serve the Lord He will be with us but if we get careless and go our own way we will have trouble.

Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you. Joshua 23:6, 12-13

The Word of God is an encouragement to us and a warning so it is important to take heed to what we are shown.

Even if we think we are strong we can fall if we do not lean on the Lord.

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

With God's help we will overcome and prevail in our service to God.

To fear or to respect God makes us happy.

I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.  Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:  That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Psalm 144:9-15

We will be happy when we reach out and help others that are lost.

He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. Proverbs 14:21

We are happy when we testify of how God changed our lives.

I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: Acts 26:2

We are happy when we can deny our flesh and encourage our brother or sister in some way.

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.  And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?  But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 1 Peter 3:12-14

Tribulation will come and the question is, "how do we handle it?"

How we handle pressure will reveal what is in us. If the Spirit of God dwells in us then when pressure comes Christ will shine in our lives.

If we understand why the trial comes then we will be better able to handle it. We suffer for the glory of God.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 1 Peter 4:12

Why should we rejoice in trials? The reason we rejoice in trials is because it gives glory to God by Christ shinning through our lives.

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Hebrews 11:24

Moses was willing to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

You will not get saved unless you say in your heart of hearts that you do not want to serve sin anymore.

Scripture says that when we suffer affliction we are daily offering sacrifices to God.

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 2 Peter 2:20

When we crucify the flesh, it's a sacrifice.

God also perfects us through affliction and we grow through suffering.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:10

God wants people serving Him that have it settled in their heart that they are determined to serve God no matter the cost.

Are you settled in the truth?

All of us have many choices to make every day.

All of us that are privledged enough to hear and understand God's word have been chosen by God to follow Him.

Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.  Isaiah 49:7

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 2 Thessalonians 2:13

All of us won't follow Him, however, unless we ourselves choose to follow Him.

The bible says that we must choose who we may serve.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

It's a matter of life and death, spiritually.

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Deuteronomy 30:19

In order to choose life, of God's way, we must give our heart over to God and turn from our old way of life.

Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.  For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings. Isaiah 7:15-16

After we choose God's way, we won't live the same way we used to.

We must make a choice every day whether or not we will serve God.

Sometimes it's hard, and we may get discouraged, but if we want to make heaven, we must choose life, not death.

I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. Psalm 119:30

In order to make it to heaven, what are some things that we must choose to do?

1. Thank God for His blessings. Psalm 81

2. Witness and tell others about God. Matthew 24:14

3. Listen when God is talking to us. 1 Samuel 3:9-10

God will bless good choices and He will not bless bad choices.

Abraham and his nephew Lot had a choice in Genesis 13.

Sometimes a decision seems like it might suit you the best for yourself, but we need to consult God for our decisions.

Sometimes our decisions affect our children, our family, and the ones that you have influence over.

Lot's family, his wife and his children lost out because of Lot's decision.

Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;  And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.  But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:24-26

Even if you change your own decision, your first bad decision may affect your family forever.

What kind of choices are you making today?

The tribulation we receive for the sake of Christ is because we love God and are unwilling to comprimise our stand for God. We will receive tribulation if we are living for God.

Pressure that the world puts on us is a form of tribulation.

Have you felt any pressure recently?

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22

Are we proving God and His ability to help us out during hard times? What's inside of us is going to come out when times get tough. We want Christ to shine in us and through us even during difficult times.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Romans 5:3

God gets glory in tribulation when the pressure is tight and we handle it the godly way. When Christ is shown and God is pleased that's glorying in tribulation.

Going through tribulation the godly way has to be learned. We learn through tribulation and it can come in the form of ridicule, rejection, persecution, pressure... and so on.

When we were in sin who was our Captain that helped us in time of tribulation?

Christ is a Christians Captain during times of tribulation.

And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper. 2 Chronicles 13:12

Being consistant in your prayer life, bible studies, church attendance, and meditation is what will allow us to go through tribulation. And by this consistancy in our lives through our devotion to God will we be successful when we are faced with difficult situations. God needs to and must be the Captain of our soul. He is our help in time of need.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

It is a commandment from God that we love.

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:11,18

The first commandment God gave Moses was "to love".

God changes our heart to love.

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 1 John 3:14

Read what John 15:12-13 says: 

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

What does this scripture mean to you? It tells us that we need to love one another as Christ loved us soo much that He layed down His very life for us.

God wants a genuine love to flow through us.

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Romans 12:9

Our love for God should be greater today than when we first walked with Christ. As we walk with Christ we gain more knowledge and understanding about the things of God. If we continue to strive in our love for God the more love we will have for others.

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: 1 Thessalonians 3:12

The more we contend in the flesh which is really for our own way the further our walk will be with God. We have to contend more for God's Spirit and by doing this we will be careful in what we gives ourselves to.

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:21

This is not a physical but spiritual fight but the love of God conquers all.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:12-13

We have to learn to love others no matter who they are. Jesus tells us "  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil." Luke 6:35

 Can we love our enemies even those we may not get along with?

Jesus says that God is "kind unto the unthankful and to the evil."

Jesus is our ultimate example and as a Christian we must allow Him to lead our lives, our thoughts and our actions.

 A way that we can approach a person we may have a hard time getting along with is to think about this scripture and how would Jesus treat this individual.

Another thing to ponder which will help us in our dealings with others that we may conflict with is to understand that this individual has a soul that needs Jesus.

Jesus tells us, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Before we became a christian we may have had hatred in our hearts and when a person gets saved they have to relearn things and put in practise how to change our lives and our attitudes.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:29

We have a tendency as human beings to "strike back" when someone approaches us in a wrong manner. The tongue can be a fire (James 3:6) so we must be on guard with our reactions. Remember that Proverbs 15:1 says, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

 Praying for our enemies or those we may conflict with can help us carry a sincere burden for that person. This will remind us that we must be careful in how we act in order to see them get saved.

 We must exercise ourselves unto godliness.

 "But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness." 1 Timothy 4:7

 Sometimes the best thing is to not say anything so we are not biting and devouring one another.

 "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." Galations 5:15

 Only God can make loving others easier that we don't get along with.

 Maybe if we take time to figure out something that individual we don't get along with is interested in, that may establish a connection somehow.

 Also if we pray and establish positive thoughts about the person we don't get along with can help us be a good testimony as well.

 Below are some ways that we can make sure we are prepared to love our enemies and those we may not get along with:

 1. We need to have the love of God in our hearts.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:7-12

2. We must have His Spirit in order to love:

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 1 John 4:13


3. We must dwell or abide in love

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16

4. We must love our brother

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. 1 John 4:21

Notice it in the beginning of the of 1 John 4 John starts out by saying:

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:1-6

If someone has the Spirit of God in their heart they will have the love of God flow out of their mouth and lives. But John exhorts us to try the spirit and understand that some don't have the spirit of truth ( The Spirit which comes from God and teaches truth)
but they are living in error (the spirit which comes from Satan and seduces into error).
The error in the life causes an imbalance and even makes it hard for others to get along with at times.This may never change and even though this is the case, we must continue to live godly and not feed into a bitter spirit. By recognizing the spirit we will be better prepared to understand the spirit behind the motive and not give in to a spirit that is not dwelling in the love of God. There will be times that we may find ourselves struggling to love but if we understand the reasoning behind the spirit we will be better prepared to meet the challenge.

It is good to have a love in our hearts for one another. When God changes a life He puts a love in the heart.

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1 John 3:11

Love is something we need and it's a choice to love. Christ loved us all the way to the cross. That's ultimate love given as an example of how we ought to love one another.

Those that are doing the will of the Father are our spiritual brethren. We are the body of Christ and to be a part of the body successfully we must walk together in love.

How is your love for others, the church, and your family working?

Are we stepping our of our comfort zone to love or is the enemy of our souls taking advantage of the love in our heart for others?

We have a responsibility that we are going to let God rule our love.

Paul tells us that without love working we are nothing. 1 Corinthians 13

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. Galatians 5:13-15

We have a choice about the liberty God has given us. We need to be careful about biting and devouring one another. We all have irrritabilities but we cant let the enemy have his way with us.

Sometimes it is a good reminder to love and let love flow through our lives.

How is your love flowing?

As we read 1 Corinthians chapter 3 Paul is admonishing the Corinthian Church of God by sternly putting them in remembrance that Christ is the foundation and how we as christians are the temple of God and that the temple must be clean.

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. I Corinthians 3:11, 16-17

Below are 5 ways we can defile the temple if we are not careful in our experience with Jesus Christ:

•  If we take on too much of the world's wisdom we can get in trouble and defile the temple.

God's wisdom needs to be first in our lives. Wisdom for a Christian is to stay close to God.

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 1 Corinthians 3:18-19

• We need to be careful with what we choose to pay attention to. If not, it can cause us to defile the temple.

          It is better to err toward the things of God over the things of the world. In the world there are some things out there that can benefit us but God's presence in our lives will benefit us above everything.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 

 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:6-16

• Lust can defile the temple

Lust is an overwhelming desire that takes us away from God. Lust starts with the seed planted in the mind. It is up to us to recognize this and be able to cast it down right away.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John 2:15-16

Things we can do to cast off lust:

1. Rebuke it
2. Pray
3. Listen to a Church of God message
4. Read the bible
5. Talk to a saint of God

• Being enticed through temptation can defile the temple

We are going to be enticed but we must cast it down and not accept it cause if we do we will sin and defile the temple.

We have the power to resist temptation. It comes on strong but the power of God comes much stronger.

With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. Isaiah 26:9

If we are going to resist the enemy, the strong temptation, we need to cry out to God.

• Pride will defile the temple

We are only as strong as our willingness to lean on Christ. God hates pride.

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, Proverbs 6:16-17

And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. Mark 7:20-23

A successful Christian stays at the feet of Christ. We needed God before we were saved, today, and forever. It will never change. He is our only hope.