Neither give place to the devil

 by David Long

"Neither give place to the devil" (Eph. 4:27). How would we give place to the devil? By allowing bad thoughts into our minds. Notice we give the devil a place, he can't force us to give him a place. Read Acts 5:1-4 for a good example of this. The battle is for the mind and when we start thinking wrong, that gives the devil an opportunity take control. "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). Let the Bible guide your thoughts and fill your mind (Psa. 119:105; Matt. 4). 

hope in death

 by David Long

The atheist may say, "I have no fear in death. So what's the difference between me and a Christian?" The difference is hope in death. You may have no fear in death but so does a cow. Do you have hope in death? "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil" (Heb. 6:18-19). 

The world hates the righteous

 by David Long

"For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you" (1 John 3:11-13). Get the Point? If not then listen to John 15:17-19, "These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." Follow Jesus and you will get the same treatment He got from the world. 

Defining your Christianity

 by David Long

Is your Christianity defined by what you don't do: "I don't steal, I don't kill, I don't cheat, I don't lie, I don't..."?  It is true that as Christians we don't do some things but if that's how we define ourselves as Christians then our entire perception of Christianity is one-sided and out of balance. As Christians we need to think proactively  in terms of what we do as God's people. We not only avoid the wrong but we do what's right. We are doers of the word (James 1:22). Just being a "don't" Christian will not get one to heaven, we must do (Matt. 25:34-40).  

Lying

 by David Long

Lying seems to be the norm for people in today's society, practically when it comes to politicians. But a lying society is nothing new. The Bible says of some in the first century, "one of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons" (Titus 1:12). Liars are born of the Devil because he is the father of lies (John 8:44). Liars go to hell (Rev. 21:8). Don't be a liar and don't believe the lies. Speak the truth and only believe the truth. Reject any falsehood of any kind! Follow liars and you go to hell with them, no matter how sincere you are. 

What will it cost?

by David Long

 "And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Lk. 14:25-35).

Following Jesus comes with a cost. Are you willing pay it? Won't make it to heaven unless you do.. 

Don't live like the world

 by David Long

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness" (Eph. 4:17-19). What's wrong with living like the world? 

1. They walk in the vanity of their mind.

2. Their understanding is darkened.

3. They are alienated from the life of God through ignorance. 

4. Their heart is blind or hard.

5. They are past feeling (calloused). 

6. They have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.