by Undre Griggs, Jr. As friends: we provide shelter when our brethren are without cover; food when we can’t afford it; we visit each other when we miss a service; we lift each other up when we stumble; we forgive each other when we are wronged; and we are willing to sacrifice our own interests for their betterment. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV): Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV): As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Of the many responsibilities we have to each other, we also have the responsibility to sharpen each other’s character. Much like the need of iron to sharpen iron, there is the need of one human to make another human better. Humans have a consciousness that only another human can understand. The words in which we communicate, the way our minds reason, and the joy/pain life brings can only be understood by another human. As a child, we are appreciative of everything a person is willing to teach us. We need someone to teach us how to eat, walk, talk, use the bathroom, and read. As an adult, we can lose our willingness to learn and the humility to be taught. That will only hurt us in the end because the only way we can learn and sharpen our character is by another person telling us. Proverbs 1:5 (ESV): Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
by Undre Griggs, Jr We have all been there at some point in our lives. We are faced with a decision and for one reason or another; we don’t make a judgment. We start to think, rethink, and think some more and as a result, nothing happens. God is there to help us make decisions. God wants us to be decisive, confident, and reliant upon Him. He is there for us when we are in need and there is not a question God does not know the answer to. Ask God for guidance in your decision-making. Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Be humble. Psalm 25:9, NKJV: “The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.” When God guides your path, He will stay with you. Psalm 37:23, NKJV: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” Plan for the task at hand. Luke 14:28-30, NKJV: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?" Make sure you have the facts and hear both sides of the matter. Proverbs 18:17, NIV: "In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines." Always pray. Luke 6:12-13, NIV: "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:"
By Undre Griggs, Jr Political correctness (PC) is defined as “conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated.” Notice that anything that could offend someone, should be eliminated in a world where PC rules. PC is the death of opposition and a tool used by people of all backgrounds to silence others. While PC calls for the elimination of speech that could offend; Christianity calls for the honesty of speech that will offend. Paul touches on the offensiveness of the cross in Galatians 5:11. Galatians 5:11: But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. Offense in the above verse according to Strong’s Concordance means - stumbling block. The truth of the cross will shatter the world’s view of itself and be a stumbling block for many. When you correct someone with the Word who does not believe they are wrong, it will offend them and cause them to stumble. Isaiah 8:13-15: But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.” PC can be used against the church by believers within and/or unbelievers left out. Be ever vigilant and watchful; be peaceful and gentle, be honest and unwavering in your conviction. Know that those who love discipline and instruction love the Lord; and they will not silence opposition. Proverbs 12:1: Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. Proverbs 15:32: Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
By Undre Griggs, Jr To be such an under-discussed topic, there can be no mistaking the results of being a coward. Revelations 21:8: But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. There are multiple reasons that being a coward will lead to your destruction. If you are a coward, that means you lack the understanding of God’s power and you do not have the necessary faith spoken of in Hebrews chapter 11. God did not give us a spirit of fear; but of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). If you seek the Lord, He will answer and deliver you from all of your fears (Psalms 34:4). These two verses help us begin to understand why it would be difficult to be a Christian and a coward at the same time. If you trust in the Lord, you understand He will deliver you from all of your fears and keep you safe. This is not a promise that bad things won’t happen to you or those you love, but a promise that He will be there to guide and protect you. If you are a coward, you are going to travel the easy, wide path that leads to destruction. Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. The thought of being afraid is not a sin, but the fruition of your fear (the lack of action that results), is a sin. If you are a coward, you will not be willing to make the tough decisions. You have let fear beat you and as a result, you would have fallen short of being a faithful Christian. You will undoubtedly compromise the Word to avoid persecution and you will certainly compromise your values and morals to keep from ruffling feathers. Be unyielding for the Lord. Be strong and show love in all interactions. Be the light that cannot be hidden.
By Undre Griggs, Jr Rejoice in Hope: Your hope comes from belief in Christ Jesus and that He will return for His people. Your hope comes in knowing that Jehovah sent his only begotten Son so that you may have an opportunity at going to Heaven. Rejoice in knowing that God is in control and He will always be with His people. Deuteronomy 31:6: Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Patient in Tribulation: 1 Peter 3:14: But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance There is an understanding that God is patient and longsuffering, so that all should come to repentance. We should have the same patience and count ourselves blessed to endure suffering for Christ; knowing that it could save a soul. Constant in Prayer: Through prayer we make our requests known to God. It is our avenue of communication and one we should not close for any reason. Prayer is our most humble and powerful position. Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Mark 11:24: Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
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Dean Road
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