Time to Heat Up!

There is too much going on in America and the world to remain neutral...

Where do you stand? Wherever you plant your feet...right?! Friend, it has never been more obvious that you and I need to take a stand for right and wrong than right now. Therefore, we need to decide whether we want to be hot or cold. Being lukewarm is not the place to be...according to Jesus, that is.

Never has sin been more flaunted in America than right now. The sins that were tolerated by the last generation have been embraced by this generation. What is at stake? Your family. Your neighborhood. Your church. Your nation. So, where you stand matters. Being hot, cold or lukewarm matters.

Children are not only used as pawns in our culture - they are being sacrificed! All at the selfishness of individuals, groups and community activists. Store owners are not just disrespected, but despised by community leaders who will not step in and stop the criminals from stealing and destroying the establishments the owners worked so hard for. Law, order and life should win the day! Chaos should go away!

Anger, viciousness, bitterness, resentment and violence are tolerated...as if it's their right to take out frustrations on someone else - especially, on easy targets. Far too often, people who are not disciplined enough to have a content, well-ordered and joyful life - blame others for there mistakes and failures. Personal accountability and responsibility have been thrown out the door as if it is no longer in style. Like it is unnecessary. Out dated and old fashioned. Well, owning up to your own decisions and consequences is a sign of growth and maturity. So, it should be quite obvious that we are an immature and childish culture.

So, what should you do in order to be hot - not cold or lukewarm in todays culture:

First, Be Decisive.Take a stand for the truth. Make a commitment to standards...and then uphold those standards. Quit being wishy washy! Stop flip flopping back and forth. Stand firm on your convictions, but make sure those convictions are not based on your feelings, but facts and faith!

Second, Be Disciplined. Paul told Timothy, "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." Be a good reader, listener and learner. Know what the Bible says about living well in dark days. Get to know your American forefathers. Be reminded how they took a stand for truth, standards and freedom. Be the best spiritually, mentally and physically fit person you can be.

Third, Be Discerning. Wisdom is at an all time low! We need men and women who live life with discernment amidst the chaos of the times. Ask God for wisdom from heaven. Read the book of Proverbs. Gain knowledge and trust that God's way is spot on...all the time! His way is right, not only for you, personally, but for our society, government, churches...yes, all of life!

Forth, Be Distinct. The mob is driven by fear. Don't give in to fear! The mob wants you to conform. Do not conform! Stand out from all the lies, deception, hatred and vitriol. Instead, be the wisest, most patient and loving person in the room. Let your light be contagious. Substitute courage for fear. Stand firm in the faith while others give to the demands of a selfish culture. Be different or distinct from the madness of todays world.

Hang in there, brothers and sisters! It's time to heat up - not with anger, anxiety, fear, bitterness, etc. Instead, heat up with the light of God's truth. Allow the passion of a loving God to fuel your purpose for living. You were made for such a time as this. Don't isolate yourself. Don't go in hiding. On the contrary, be a luminary in the darkness. Take time to memorize and meditate on God's Word and find rest in Him. Then, when given the opportunity...don't stutter, but speak the truth in love. Let God use you for His glory and the growth of His church! It's time to heat up!!

Bruce