VERSE: “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7)
EQUATION: Determination + Scriptural Foundation = Sanctification

It’s no secret that we live in a day and age that Christianity is culturally vexing. There are so many delusional ideas about life, what’s right and what’s wrong, and where humanity is headed it will make your head swim. I have to say, this is a good thing for me. On the one hand, I have found if I try understand it all I will just get depressed; but on the other hand, the cultural, religious, and political confusion has taught me that I must rely upon God…always. His word has never changed and neither has His power to change situations or to reach the most hardened soul.

One of many biblical promises goes like this, “One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you” (Joshua 23:10). Although a promise to Israel, it is still characteristic of God to fight for the one who will put his/her trust in Him.

So if we allow too much focus on the world and its downward spiral, the passage becomes meaningless to us. Christians must never allow the ills of the world to bog us down. God is able to overcome all obstacles we face. Now is the time to pray and to focus on God, and like Paul, redeem the time for the days are evil (Eph 5:16).
Written by Pastor Mike Henderson, Springfield Illinois First Baptist Church