DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT - TUESDAY - HOW TO KEEP GOING FORWARDS WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS GOING BACKWARDS! Part 2.

Theologian John Calvin was afflicted with rheumatism and migraine headaches. Yet he preached, wrote books, and governed Geneva, Switzerland, for 25 years. - Source Unknown.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. - Col 2:6 -8.

As we conclude our series of... looking over the shoulders of the church at Colosse, having a glance at the letter that they have received from the great missionary, the apostle Paul. He is concerned for the believers at Colosse and he is burdened for them, even though they believe correctly now, they will remain faithful throughout the years. In these few verses, the apostle gives some sound advice to these fundamental believers.

We discovered, that we don’t stop now, knowing that we are on the right track, remembering not to be deluded by persuasive arguments, realising that our progress is evident and understanding that we do not need confusion in our lives; it needs to be in good order, and standing firm in Christ!

Follow these principles, then we, too, will be able to keep going forwards when everyone else is going backwards. Here are the final principles...

Continue Our Growth… Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. - Col 2:6-7.

Walk in Him… Don't stop with salvation, keep moving! Stick to the fundamentals and continue in the doctrines of Christ, maintain them and let them propel our lives!

Be rooted in Christ… Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. - Ps 1:1-3.

Be built up in Christ… For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-- each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.. - 1 Cor 3:11-13.

Continue in the faith… if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. - Col 1:23.

From the diary of John Wesley. . .
Sunday, A.M., May 5 Preached in St. Anne's. Was asked not to come back anymore.
Sunday, P.M., May 5 Preached in St. John's. Deacons said "Get out and stay out."
Sunday, A.M., May 12 Preached in St. Jude's. Can't go back there, either.
Sunday, A.M., May 19 Preached in St. Somebody Else's. Deacons called special meeting and said I couldn't return.
Sunday, P.M., May 19 Preached on street. Kicked off street.
Sunday, A.M., May 26 Preached in meadow. Chased out of meadow as bull as turned loose during service.
Sunday, A.M., June 2 Preached out at the edge of town. Kicked off the highway.
Sunday, P.M., June 2 Afternoon, preached in a pasture. Ten thousand people came out to hear me.

Keep your eyes on Jesus..! For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. - Col :9-12.

He is the fullness of the Godhead and we are complete in Him… we don't need anything else! Not miracles and sign gifts and not extra revelation! We are set apart in Christ; Free from sin and alive in Christ.

I would propose that the subject of the ministry of this house, as long as this platform shall stand, and as long as this house shall be frequented by worshipers, shall be the person of Jesus Christ. I am never ashamed to avow myself a Calvinist; I do not hesitate to take the name of Baptist; but if I am asked what is my creed, I reply, "It is Jesus Christ."

My venerated predecessor, Dr. Gill, has left a [theological heritage] admirable and excellent in its way. But the [legacy] to which I would pin and bind myself forever, God helping me... is Jesus Christ, who is the arm and substance of the gospel, who is in Himself all theology, the incarnation of every precious truth. - C.H. Spurgeon, first words in the pulpit of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London.

Paul’s purpose in writing this letter… was that we may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that we may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that we may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Loving Father, I thank you for the Holy Spirit who guides me into all truth. Help me Lord not to become tossed around by man’s doctrines, but to hold unswervingly to your word and its fundamental principles. Help me Lord to stay on course and to keep my eyes firmly fixed on Jesus , for His glory and in whose name I pray! Amen!