If you have a set of beliefs that makes up your core being, then you should live by it — no matter what. My beliefs come from the Bible, the Word of God; and quite often they conflict with the culture of the day, going against what is popular and accepted as appropriate behavior.

So what do we do when we’re attacked and criticized because our beliefs conflict with society? We should defend them and never compromise. If you compromise on something you say you believe in, then it was never truly a belief. In fact, we can compromise on a lot of things, but never on the Word of God.

We should learn how to defend our beliefs and values so that, when others criticize, we are not put to shame; because we are prepared to answer (I Peter 3:15-16). I’ve been criticized a lot for what I believe on certain issues, but — no matter what people say — I stay true to my beliefs.

The Bible is truth and knowing the truth makes us free and gives us confidence. Therefore, take a stand, and don’t give ground to compromise.

Just a thought,

PSS

As the old saying goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This is erroneous, however, because words really do matter, and they have a bigger impact than we may realize. In fact, words have the power to affect us positively or negatively (see Proverbs 18:21). The words we say about ourselves and others have an enormous effect on our behavior and reveal a lot about our mental state. Words also affect us on an emotional level and speak to the content of our character.

For instance, if you think and say things such as: I’m not talented, I’m not good enough, I’m not smart, or I’m not pretty enough, this will only make you feel less than you are and keep you from pursuing your dreams altogether. On the other hand, however, words can also be a vehicle for change and inspiration. If you think and say things such as: I have talent, I can do whatever I put my mind to, I am smart, I am good enough, you will go from self-doubt to self-confidence — giving you the courage to accomplish your dreams.

As you can see, words truly do matter. Changing your words from negative to positive will help you feel better about yourself and accomplish more. So, let’s take an inventory of our thoughts and the words we speak about ourselves and others.

Just a thought,

PSS

Nowadays, so many focus on what they don’t have and what’s wrong with their life, instead of what they do have and what’s good in their life. For some, it’s the difference between possessing a good attitude or a bad one. For others, it’s a matter of what they watch or listen to on the news, causing their attention to be on the negative rather than the positive. Unfortunately, so many live their lives based on this way of thinking, which is exactly what the enemy of our souls (the devil) desires.

Don’t allow the enemy to steal your joy by getting you to focus on what is wrong with your life. It only divides and separates us, based on what we believe is a need or a lack in our lives; and it only makes us miserable. For some, it’s about material possessions; for others, it might be about status. Whatever the case may be, focusing on what we don’t have will only cause us to think we are being left out, harmed or mistreated, in some form or another, because we have been trained to see what is wrong in our society.

As a consequence, we need to refocus and retrain our hearts and minds to see the positive in life. In doing so, we will become more and more thankful — thankful to God, and thankful for what we do have. As a result, we will become more satisfied with life. Purpose to think about what is good, honest, and truthful (Philippians 4:8). There is always good to be thankful for, but we must change our focus to see it.

Just a thought,

PSS

The voice of those who still believe that right is right and wrong is wrong, is being silenced by a society that calls right wrong, and wrong right (Isaiah 5:20). As a consequence, the body of Christ has been deceived into believing a lie — confusing love with tolerance — and the church is suffering an identity crisis because of it. Most Christians don’t even know what a true follower of Christ is supposed to be. Instead, they believe that staying silent and being the world’s friend is what Jesus taught.

God’s Word, however, teaches that to be a friend of the world makes you an enemy of God. In fact, we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. In Jesus’ day, salt was used as a preservative to slow down decay, and as an antiseptic to kill bacteria in a wound. And light is something that is meant to be seen, not to be hidden — especially behind the guise of political correctness or immorality, just because it’s the popular thing to do.

The church never wins anyone to Christ while behaving like the world. We are meant to be salt and light in our lives, so people will see that we are different. Then the lost will be open to hearing the gospel and receiving the truth. It’s time we understand who we are and realize our true identity is found in the Word of God, not in our culture.

Just a thought,

PSS

A person’s worldview is what determines how they see the world and what they believe. It is the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world. David Noebel says, "[It's] any ideology, philosophy, theology, movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God, the world and man's relations to God and the world."

According to Del Tackett, “A personal worldview is a combination of all you believe to be true, and what you believe becomes the driving force behind every emotion, decision and action. Therefore, it affects your response to every area of life: from philosophy to science, theology and anthropology to economics, law, politics, art and social order — everything.”

Everyone has some type of worldview. Today, some Christians compartmentalize their lives, which directly results in a disconnect between what they believe and what they do. You will even hear some Christians say, “I don’t want to hear about politics.” The problem with this, however, is that the Bible teaches that we should not only pray for all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2), but we should also be informed about whom we vote for (Romans 13).

I don’t understand how any true believer can support someone who thinks it is OK to kill innocent babies or who believes in redistribution of wealth. Yet, our current president believes in both. As Christians, however, we can’t have both a biblical and a secular worldview. Either we have a biblical worldview of how we live life, or we have a secular one. Either we are true believers, or we are not.

If we truly have a biblical worldview, it supersedes everything else in our lives and should determine how we live, act and vote, because we understand that our primary purpose is to love and serve God. Once we’re born again, receiving Christ as our Lord and Savior, we must allow God’s word to transform us. I pray that, as believers, we will allow God’s word to shape every area of our lives.

Just a thought,

PSS