The Lesson of the Leech

LessonOfTheLeech

Some things never say “that’s enough.” They just keep taking and taking; they are never satisfied. The Bible gives us an example of one such creature – the leech – and then offers four more examples of things that never say, “Enough.”

The leech has two daughters—
Give and Give!
There are three things that are never satisfied,
Four never say, “Enough!”:
The grave,
The barren womb,
The earth that is not satisfied with water—
And the fire never says, “Enough!” (Prov. 30:15-16).

A leech only takes. And it takes, and it takes. It is never satisfied! The Bible says that its daughters are “Give and Give.” In other words, they only want more. Further, the grave, the barren womb, the earth and its relationship to water, and fire are four more examples of things that are never satisfied. You know, a fire will continue to take wood as long as you continue to feed it wood. It’s never satisfied!

If we aren’t careful, we can become people who are never satisfied. Sin will make us that way. Is there anything wrong with things? Not until those things begin to rule our lives. The same goes for money (1 Tim. 6 will tell you all about that).

That’s why learning contentment is so important.

Yesterday, we noted Philippians 4 where Paul states that he had learned to be content in whatever circumstance life threw at him. He realized each day’s blessings. He recognized that God gives us every good gift. He had a relationship with Christ, and continually reminded himself of his focus. He repressed self-centeredness, substituting it with godliness. That’s contentment, and that’s what it takes to learn contentment.

As we go through life, we have to be on constant watch for the leeches. We can become addicted to something – yes, it could be drugs or alcohol, but it could also be something like TV or the Internet – and, almost before we realize it, we’re hooked to a leech. We become covetous or jealous or lazy or rebellious, and all of these things can become leeches to our souls; they’re never satisfied, always taking.

Let’s wrap it up: No one has to go on living an insatiable life. Real satisfaction is available! Jesus says that the truth can set you free from the leeches of life (John 8:32). You can truly be satisfied in Him.

So, today, I want us to conclude these thoughts together by considering Hebrews 13:5-6:

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say:
“The LORD is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”

[divider]

TheNewYou1400 This is a partial transcript from my weekday podcast, The New You, where we focus on maintaining and accentuating the new that Christ created in each of us as Christians. A new episode is available each Monday through Friday on The Light Network. Click here to see all of the episodes.

Learning Contentment

LearningContentment

Webster defines contentment as “the state of being happy and satisfied.” But is that even possible in today’s world? It’s not only possible, it’s a spiritual necessity.

In Philippians 4, Paul says that he is content. As you and I well know, Paul didn’t live a life of ease and luxury. In 2 Corinthians 11, he describes times when he was beaten, in perils, sleepless, hungry and thirsty, and even naked! How could this man actually say that he was content?!

Paul teaches us that contentment is learned behavior. He says, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil. 4:11). So contentment is a choice that we make. And we can choose contentment regardless of life’s circumstances.

How can we learn contentment?

Contentment comes from at least five vital mindsets.

1. Contentment comes from a REALIZATION of each day’s blessings.

Remember how Jesus taught us to thank God for our “daily bread” (Mat. 6:11)? We have something for which to be thankful every day.

2. Contentment comes from a RECOGNITION of the Giver of all good gifts.

James 1:17 states that everything comes from God. Paul asked, “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Cor. 4:7).

3. Contentment comes from a RELATIONSHIP with Christ.

In Philippians 4, Paul points to the One Who made his contentment possible. He says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). His ability to endure hardships came from his trust in Jesus.

4. Contentment comes from a REMINDER of our focus.

If your treasures are here, then your reward is here and, thus, your heart is set here. But if you treasures are in heaven, then your heart’s focus is there and, consequently, that’s where your reward is (Mat. 6:19-21). We need that regular reminder of where our focus should be. Paul said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).

5. Contentment comes from a REPRESSION of self-centeredness.

You’ll never be content if your self absorbed. That’s why Paul wrote to Timothy that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6), and “having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Tim. 6:8). He’s talking about a frame of mind that views one’s lot as enough. God has supplied everything that I need, therefore I can be content.

Let’s wrap it up: Contentment does not mean that we can’t strive for better. There’s contentment and then there’s complacency. We shouldn’t confuse the two. It is contentment that can look at life – even though things aren’t going the way that you wish they would – and still see the good that God gives in it. A contented person is the one who can truly say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”

[divider]

TheNewYou1400 This is a partial transcript from my weekday podcast, The New You, where we focus on maintaining and accentuating the new that Christ created in each of us as Christians. A new episode is available each Monday through Friday on The Light Network. Click here to see all of the episodes.

I Need God in My Life!

NeedGod

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water (Psa. 63:1).

Our world affords many, many comforts. If you’re a citizen of the United States of America, then you are among the richest people in the world – regardless of how much money is in your bank account. And yet, even with all of the blessings that this life can give, we are nothing without God.

The Psalmist said that he lived in a dry and thirsty land. When we look at our world through the lens of Scripture, then we will recognize that we live in a dry and thirsty land, too. Sure, sin offers some pleasures, but they’re brief and passing (Heb. 11:25). They don’t really satisfy. That’s why Jesus said that we should hunger and thirst for righteousness (Mat. 5:6).

“Hunger and thirst” describes an intense desire that we have. So, we are to desire righteousness – and that’s something that only God can give.

Speaking of desires, in 1 John 2:15-17 John describes three desires that the tempter uses to draw us away from righteousness: the lust (or desire) of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These three desires are “not of the Father but … of the world.” They teach me a valuable lesson, though, as I strive to be like the person Jesus described in Matthew 5:6, one who hungers and thirsts after righteousness. Here’s the lesson: I may have to stop loving some things and start loving other things.

See, I live in a dry and thirsty land. There is no nourishment without God’s provided necessities. There is no hope without God’s hand of grace. Jesus knew that. That’s why He said in John 4:34: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”

When our appetites, or desires, recognize that there is no true life without God, then we are ready to receive the complete satisfaction that He promises. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” That word “filled” refers to complete satisfaction of spiritual hunger and thirst. The world can never satisfy. Only God can satisfy the human soul.

Let’s wrap it up: Ultimately, we do what we want to do, don’t we? If we want to know God’s will, we will. If we want to do God’s will, we will. It’s going to take effort and deliberate choices, but you can do it. You can hunger and thirst for righteousness, and, when you do, you will be filled.

I don’t think it’s true, but there’s a story about the great artist Michelangelo. He, of course, sculpted the statue of David that is on display in Florence, Italy. As the story goes, someone once asked Michelangelo, “How did you create such an amazing statue from a piece of ugly stone?” The artist replied, “I just chipped away the parts that weren’t David.”

If you want to change your desires, you’ll do the same. Get rid of, chip away, the parts that aren’t Christ-like, and hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness.

[divider]

TheNewYou1400 This is a partial transcript from my weekday podcast, The New You, where we focus on maintaining and accentuating the new that Christ created in each of us as Christians. A new episode is available each Monday through Friday on The Light Network. Click here to see all of the episodes.

Blessed are the Hungry and Thirsty

Have you ever eaten or drank something that didn’t really satisfy your need? I have been really thirsty before and have reached for my old go-to beverage of choice, a Mello Yello. The only problem was, that soda didn’t really satisfy my thirst. In some cases, it made me even more thirsty!

Hunger&Thirst

Sin is like that, isn’t it? Its possibilities are enticing – pleasure, power, fortune, or fame – so you give in, only to find that it didn’t satisfy. It left you feeling worse than you did before.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Mat. 5:6). Psalm 119:172 reminds us that God’s commandments are righteousness. So Jesus is saying that we should crave God’s commands. Our appetite should center on doing right.

How can I reset my appetite to crave God’s righteousness? This may surprise you, but it begins by taking off your grave clothes.

Are you confused? Let me explain.

In John chapter eleven, Jesus is in Bethany where his friend, Lazarus, has died just a few days before He arrived. But an amazing miracle is about to take place here. You know what happens, don’t you? Jesus says, “Lazarus, come forth!”

And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go” (John 11:44).

Lazarus was resurrected from the grave! Amazing! However, there was still some evidence that he had once been dead, wasn’t there? Jesus told the observers to “loose him” from his grave clothes.

Sometimes, we need to be reminded to get rid of our grave clothes. Romans 6:4 puts it this way:

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

When we’re immersed in water, we are united with Christ’s death and burial. His blood cleanses us and we are forgiven of our past sins. When we come up out of the water, we are united in His resurrection. We now have a responsibility to “walk in newness of life.” The difficulty lies in the fact that we were once dead. We’re not dead anymore. We’ve been made spiritually alive by God’s grace and our obedient faith (Eph. 2:1-5). However, the fact remains that we used to be spiritually dead. Sometimes, we forget to take off the grave clothes.

Let’s wrap it up: Do you want to change your desires so that they seek God’s Will? It’s going to begin by taking off the grave clothes. Get rid of everything in your life that brings out the old you, and accentuate everything in your life that promotes the new you. Only then will you find true satisfaction and fulfillment.

[divider]

TheNewYou1400 This is a partial transcript from my weekday podcast, The New You, where we focus on maintaining and accentuating the new that Christ created in each of us as Christians. A new episode is available each Monday through Friday on The Light Network. Click here to see all of the episodes.

Cheap Crosses

I recently read about a man who was traveling in Brazil and happened upon a Brazilian religious festival. He perused all of the festivities surrounding the festival and came to an area with venders in their different booths. He noticed a booth that was selling religious-themed goods at low prices. The sign over that particular booth read, “Cheap crosses.”

That’s what we’re looking for sometimes, isn’t it? We look for the cheap crosses. We try to find ways to squeak into heaven, turning Christianity into a checklist religion rather than an obedient faith that responds to God’s amazing grace, mercy, and love. We try to find ways to water down the gospel so that we can justify our shortcomings and transgressions. We look for the easy way out, that path of least resistance, that will not call upon us to go outside of our comfort zones and that will not force us to go against the grain of our culture.

All the while, Jesus says this:

If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? (Luke 9:23-25).

Just as Jesus bore a cross for us, so we are called to bear a cross for Him. This is a Christian’s daily activity.

Jesus’ cross wasn’t cheap, was it? Peter says that we were bought with “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:19). That’s the blood of the “only begotten Son” of God (John 3:16). That’s no cheap cross.

Let’s wrap it up: Why would we expect our crosses to be cheap? Jesus gave His life for us, and He calls us to give our lives to Him. Why would we expect anything different? The Christian is called to fully surrender to the Lord. He surrenders his life, his will, his interests, his pleasures, his thoughts, and his speech to Jesus. “It is no longer I who live,” Paul wrote, “but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

The Gift of Giving

This is the season of giving! Or, is it getting? Sometimes I’m not sure.

I’m a huge fan of Christmas. I love the gifts, the decorations, and all of the festivities. However, I do believe that we – especially us Americans – need to exercise caution not to become too materialistic this time of year.

In Acts 20:35, Paul reminded the Ephesian elders about the words of Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Interestingly, this is the only time that we read these words of our Lord. I’m thankful that Paul cited them so we could have them for all the ages. Let’s notice three points about this passage: the example, the expectation, and the experience of giving.

1. The Example of Paul

In Acts 20:34, Paul states that he had worked hard to provide for his own necessities so that he would not be a burden on the Lord’s church. As such, Paul provides a wonderful example for you and me. Let’s work to serve others instead of sitting by and waiting on others to serve us. Which leads us to the second observation.

2. The Expectation of the Church

Paul makes it clear that God expects all Christians to look for ways to serve each other – especially when it comes to spiritual needs. He says, “you must support the weak” (Acts 20:35). Galatians 6:1-2 is a parallel passage, which tells us to bear one another’s burdens, or trespasses. We are to help each other, walking with each other to remain faithful together. Camaraderie is an amazing gift you can give.

3. The Experience of Giving

Let’s focus in on Jesus’ words that Paul quotes. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Paul called on the elders to “remember the words of the Lord Jesus.” That word “remember” means to constantly call to mind.

Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give…” (Acts 20:35). That word “blessed” refers to a higher, deeper, and fuller experience than mere happiness. Gareth L. Reese, in his commentary on Acts, says this on page 757:

There is a deep sense of blessedness that is experienced by the man who gives! There is a more lasting satisfaction resulting from being one who gives, than there is in being one who simply gets.

The word “give” is given in the present tense form in the original language. It could be translated, “constantly giving.” Wayne Jackson says that the sense is this: “Happier is the one who consistently practices giving, than is he who constantly receives” (Acts: From Jerusalem to Rome, page 263).

Let’s wrap it up: Paul’s words from Christ are, of course, absolutely true. The one who gives is absolutely blessed. He or she finds a deep sense of satisfaction and joy in giving that just cannot be found in receiving. Sure, receiving brings gratitude and it ties us together as people, but giving reminds us that what we have is from God; it’s not ours to begin with! This helps us to avoid selfishness and greed. Giving helps us to become more godly as we consider our heavenly Father who gave His only begotten Son for us.

How to Make and Keep Spiritual Resolutions

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2).

As Christians, we seek that spiritual transformation in our hearts and our lives. The problem is setting the right goals, and achieving those goals.

Michael Hyatt is a leadership expert. Having served as the chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, one of the largest publishing companies in the world, Hyatt gained invaluable experience in goal setting and achievement. Today, Michael Hyatt works as a virtual mentor through his website and online courses to help others achieve their goals.

In a blog post titled How to Make New Year’s Resolutions Stick, published in 2009, Hyatt gives four strategies that are certainly applicable for one who seeks to be transformed in the sense that Romans 12:2 describes.

1. Keep your resolutions few in number.

Hyatt recommends keeping your goals few in number to keep them manageable and attainable. You want to be able to memorize your goals so that they can constantly be in the back of your mind. Here’s the application – identify an area (or several areas) in your spiritual life that isn’t what you want it to be. How can we improve to render better service to God? Focus on that area for now, then go from there. Maybe it’s that you need to increase your study time. Perhaps it has to do with your speech. Whatever it is, seek transformation in the word of God by identifying the issue and reshaping your life by the guide of God’s word.

2. Make your goals “SMART.”

“SMART” goals are not just intelligent or wise. SMART is an acronym. Our goals should be …

  • Specific – Hyatt says we should be as specific as possible in identifying exactly what we want to accomplish.
  • Measurable – You must have some means to demonstrate and evaluate that you are accomplishing your goals.
  • Actionable – It needs to be something that you *do*. Hyatt recommends beginning each resolution or goal with a verb.
  • Realistic – If you’re like me, the temptation is to somehow go from planning to dreaming beyond what I’m ready for right now. We have to be careful that we stretch ourselves without overdoing it.
  • Time-Bound – You need to set a date for when you want to have this goal completed. Since we’re dealing with spiritual maturation, perhaps we should say that we need to set a date to check in and measure our improvement.

These SMART goals will help us find the clarity we need to become more like Jesus.

3. Write them down.

Michael Hyatt says that writing down your goals is powerful. Putting those goals on paper adds a level of authenticity to me. Once it’s written down, it’s official.

4. Go public.

Hyatt urges his audience to share their goals with other people. In the family of God, we know that God designed the church to be interdependent to a large degree. We confess our faults to one another (James 5:16), and we rely on each other to lift us up and encourage us (Heb. 10:24-25; Gal. 6:1-2).

Let’s wrap it up: Let’s give some quick examples of how some SMART spiritual goals might look. Instead of your goal being, “I want to increase my Bible reading,” make it like this: “Read through the entire Bible by December 31, 2015.” Instead of “conduct a Bible study,” write it like this: “Study the Bible with so-and-so by March 2015.” These are just a few examples that might help us get clear with our goals and make next year a year of spiritual transformation.

Paul’s Resolution

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14).

Are you interested in taking steps toward spiritual improvement in 2015? I’ve been making some personal plans over the past several days. In Philippians chapter three, we see a wonderful pattern for spiritual goal setting.

Here are five observations from Paul’s resolution statement in Philippians 3:13-14.

1. Prioritization

Some things are more important than others. Paul had his priorities right. He says, “one thing I do” (Phil. 3:13). He was focused on the spiritual things first. Will your 2015 (Lord willing) reflect that same focus?

2. Progression

Paul said that he was forgetting the past and reaching forward to the future. There were some things in Paul’s past that I’m sure brought shame to his mind. Conversely, there were perhaps some parts of Paul’s more recent past that may have made him proud (in a good kind of way). However, those things were behind him. The fact that he had a past meant that he had made progress, right? Be sure that you are making progress – and that you’re making it in the right direction (Mat. 7:13-14).

3. Pressure

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus,” Paul said (Phil. 3:14). The word “press” means to put in rapid motion; to pursue. There was a time when Paul put pressure on the cause of Christ (Acts 9:4-5; 22:4). Following his conversion to Jesus, Paul pressed toward the finish line of a life well lived. In what direction are you pressing?

4. Prize

Paul was pressing toward the prize. There’s a reward, a rest, that awaits those who faithfully run the Christian race and cross that great finish line. John was instructed to write,

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them” (Rev. 14:13).

It’s important to remember why you do what you do. There was a heavenly home upon which Paul was focused. But it was about more than just the prize. The prize’s value was found in Who resides in heaven. Back up to Philippians 3:8-11 and you see that Paul was fully focused on heaven because of his focus on Christ. Notice that, in those verses, Paul expresses his desire to…
* … Gain Christ (Phil. 3:8).
* … Be found in Christ (Phil. 3:9).
* … Know Christ and the power of His resurrection (Phil. 3:10).
* … Attain to the resurrection from the dead (Phil. 3:11).

It’s important that we maintain our motivation in living for Jesus.

5. Planning

Paul had clear goals. He lived with the end in mind, focusing always upon his promised prize and on the One who had given Him that promised hope. This doesn’t happen by accident, does it? And it won’t happen by accident for you or me, either. We won’t grow by osmosis through hearing sermons on Sundays and sitting through Bible classes on Wednesdays. We will have to focus our hearts and employ our hearts on studying and practicing the truth.

Let’s wrap it up: Prioritization, progression, pressure, prize, and planning: these are all elements that accompanied Paul’s resolution statement. These five elements will undoubtedly be included as you and I make plans for spiritual improvements.

Are New Year’s Resolutions Scriptural?

Are New Year’s resolutions scriptural? We have come to that time of year again when we begin to think about our plans for the future, including changes that we would like to make in the coming year. Is there anything wrong with making resolutions to spiritually improve? Not only is it not wrong, I want to encourage everyone to make spiritual resolutions – and to keep them!

When we think about planning for the future, it’s important to remember the James four principle. In James 4:13-17, James states that we should carefully and considerately make plans. He notes that there is a significant temptation to live day to day without remembering that every day is a gift from God – a gift that we are not guaranteed. So, as we plan, we ought to make sure that we consider the Lord’s will. We are supposed to remember that we may not be here tomorrow. We may not be here one hour from right now!

Taking that principle from James into consideration, we must also note that being a Christian can be hard work. Let’s face it, no one squeaks into Heaven on a whim. Being admitted into Heaven on the Judgment Day is all about God’s grace coupled with our faith and obedience to God’s word.

That’s why, in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul likens Christianity to a race in which runners are competing for a prize. He says that, in physical races, all compete, but one receives the prize. The New Testament makes it clear that everyone who is faithful to God will receive the heavenly reward (2 Tim. 4:6-8), but Paul’s point in 1 Corinthians chapter nine is that Christians should give deliberate, strenuous effort in reaching for the prize – just like the runner in the race who comes in first place.

So, should Christians make new year’s resolutions? Well, the Bible certainly encourages regular self-examination and good time management.

In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul said,

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

We must constantly evaluate our spiritual lives. We know that we’re not Jesus, we’re not the Judge. However, we have the standard by which we will be judged and it’s important that we are constantly checking up ourselves to ensure that we’re in line with that standard.

Further, in Ephesians 5:16, the Holy Spirit says that we are to redeem the time because the days are evil. The idea in the verse is that we’re trying to snatch up the time from loss. It’s like when you drop your hat into the flowing river and you have one shot to recover it before the waters carry it beyond your reach and it’s gone forever. Christians don’t have any time to waste. We must ensure that we are being good stewards of our lives. What better way to do that than to set goals, or make resolutions?

Let’s wrap it up: It’s the second week of December. Now is a great time to take a minute to think about where you want to be spiritually and what you need to do to get there. But remember that James four principle. If you see an area lacking in your life – especially if your relationship with God isn’t what it should be – don’t wait until January 1 to correct it. Take action today to get closer to God.

The New You 148: “Six Lessons We Can Learn from Persecution” Part 2

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For Friday, December 5, 2014
“Six Lessons We Can Learn from Persecution” Part 2

 

 

 

 

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Episode Transcript:

You’re listening to The New You, the daily broadcast for people who have been made new by the blood of Christ. I’m Robert Hatfield, and here is today’s Scripture:

If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter (1 Pet. 4:14-16).

There are blessings in persecution, lessons that we can learn that can strengthen our faith and help us to grow as Christians. Yesterday, we noted three of those lessons. Today, let’s notice three more.

1. Satan’s army is strong and convicted in what they do.

In Acts 12, Herod was so vehemently against Christianity that he killed James with the sword, and threw Peter into prison. Now stop for a minute and reflect upon the level of commitment to a conviction that would cause you to kill others in order to support that philosophy.

Satan has deceived many people into thinking that they are right and that the Bible’s path is wrong. They are many in number and strong in their convictions. We must be prepared to give an answer to them, and we must wear the whole armor of God in order to combat their fiery darts.

2. Sometimes persecution comes from people who are supposed to be religious.

Of all of the people whom we would think would be early adherents to Jesus and to Christianity, we would think the Jews would have been quick to accept and obey Jesus Christ. After all, the prophets had foretold of His coming and His ministry for centuries! However they, the ones who were supposed to be religious, rejected Christ and, consequently, all who would follow Christ.

When Paul became a Christian, Acts says that “the Jews plotted to kill him” (Acts 9:23). Sometimes persecution comes from surprising directions.

3. The power of the gospel is never diminished by persecution.

To this point, I think Acts 12:23-24 is extremely interesting. It records when Herod (who killed James and imprisoned Peter) died:

Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God grew and multiplied.

Notice that contrast! It’s there for a reason. Herod – who had given part of his life to trying to stop Christianity – died, but the word of God grew and multiplied. Amazing!

Persecutors may try to stop us, but God’s word is powerful – more powerful than our enemies! It can save souls! It can show us the way to heaven! It is not diminished in any way by efforts to diminish its light!

Let’s wrap it up: If you read through the book of Acts, you’ll notice something about the first century church. The first century church thrived during persecution. The church has been persecuted since its very establishment. Why do we think it would be any different today?

Don’t ever give up. Trust God. Be faithful even if it means death, and the Lord will give you the crown of life (Rev. 2:10).

Memory Verse: Do you have this week’s verse down yet? This one was one of the most difficult that we’ve done because of its length. Let’s try it one more time for this week. Here’s 1 Corinthians 1:10.

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment (1 Cor. 1:10).

The New You 10 Week Challenge for a Better Internet! This week I want us to answer this question: What will you do in 2015 to improve the new you? So head over to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the like and compose a post which says, “In 2015, I will ______ to better serve Jesus. #NewYouChallenge” This is the final week of the 10 week challenge for a better Internet!

Over the weekend: Be sure to worship God on Sunday, the Lord’s day. Assemble with God’s people in your area and worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Need help locating a place to worship? Check out the interactive map (available from our friends at In Search of the Lord’s Way) that will help you find a congregation of God’s people in your area! Just go to thelightnetwork.tv/worship.

Thanks for joining me today for The New You. You can find us each weekday at thelightnetwork.tv. You’ll also find episode archives, transcripts, and more Christian podcasts there. That’s thelightnetwork.tv

Contact me by email at robert@thelightnetwork.tv or by voicemail, by calling 903-26-LIGHT, that’s 903-265-4448. I’d love to hear from you!

I’m Robert Hatfield. You are the new you! Go live like it!