MESSAGE: Continue in the things of God

II Timothy 3:14 “You, however continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; (15) and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Are things seeming to crumble right before your eyes? Does it seem like things have gone from good to bad – then bad to worse? There are a lot of obstacles to face – not just face but to overcome in life. I exhort you to continue in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. Fight the good fight of faith. (I Timothy 6:12) Don’t bend, don’t bow and don’t break. “Fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector (or finisher) of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) Verse 1 just before this tells us to “lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” In another word, continue. Don’t quit, don’t weaken. We are in this life to persevere and win through God’s mercy, help, love and grace.

Look at our prime example, Jesus, in the above scriptures. He was determined to continue in the course God laid out for Him. We are the joy that was set before Him. He had to die on that cross for us to be reconciled to God. It is the shed blood of Jesus that cleanses us from our sin (I John 1:7). It sure wasn’t any fun. But our Lord Jesus had the “spirit of a finisher”. He prayed in Luke 22:42 saying, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Praise God, Jesus continued on to the cross at Calvary. Now, by receiving Him as Lord and Savior we don’t have to go to hell, separated from God; we can be in heaven and live forever with God, our Father.

Paul, the apostle, knew what it meant to continue in spite of his circumstances. (Philippians 4:11-13) Remember, your circumstances are subject to change, but the word of God is not. God is on our side when we love and serve him and are yielded to do His will. You may still have some battles, but you can go through them with God’s help. Phillipians 4:11 “Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in what ever circumstances I am. (12)I know how to get along in humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. (13) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Paul determined to continue in his love and faith in God and look what happened – vs.18 – says he had an abundance. Why? Because not only did he continue to serve the Lord but also the faithful people in the church at Philippi continued to give into his ministry and the work of the Lord. And then they too were blessed for continuing to give. They were told in Philippians 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (20) Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

So if you’re having problems continue to trust God. Resist the devil and he will flee. Draw near to God and He will, draw near to you. (James 4:7-8) I Peter 5:8-10 tells us to resist the devil, then after vou have suffered for a little whi!e, the God of all grace through Christ will himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Back to II Timothy 3 at the start of this article. It sounds like today’s news reports. Men will become lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. It goes on to say evil men will proceed from bad to worse. And then verse 13 tells Timothy in that atmosphere of events – continue in the things of God.

II Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; (17) that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

God has equipped you to win. He has given you the keys to victory. He loves you. Continue in His word. Do what He wants you to do. Be what He wants you to be. Continue!!

KNOWING THE FATHER- He wants you to become a child of His. You must accept Jesus to receive a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15) You can know you have eternal life. I John 5:12 “He who has the Son (Jesus) has the life; he who does not have the Son does not have the life. (13) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life.” If you’ve never received Jesus as your Savior, God is not your Father and if you’ve never confessed and have not been forgiven of your sins you are not on your way to heaven. Stop right now if your desire is to change all that and pray from your heart. “Dear Father I confess I am a sinner and separated from you. Forgive me of sins I ask of you. Cleanse me by the blood of Jesus. Dear Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for me while I was still a sinner. I accept you now as my Lord and Savior. I receive eternal life right now through my faith in You and I give you praise for saving me and giving me a home in heaven. Help me to continue in life to do the things that are pleasing in your sight. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.”

Now continue to read the word of God everyday, Pray everyday. get baptized, get into a Christian fellowship and bring others to Christ.

BAPTISM AT THE RODEO – We held Cowboy Church behind the bucking chutes at the Conroe, Texes P.R C.A. Rodeo. About thirteen Cowboys attended. Three or four accepted Jesus. As we were about to depart a rodeo cowboy came up to me and said, “I want to get baptized.” He was determined to be baptized right then and there. He said a horse water trough would be fine but they were all very small water tubs. We went to a nearby motel. It was about midnight but the manager opened the pool gate, supplied us with towels and a small crowd of motel guests gathered for his baptism, along with a few of the cowboys. He had accepted Jesus and was determined to continue to do what he needed to do and get baptized according to the scriptures. (Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38).

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE: Would you like to join in and continue with us in the vision God has given to reach not only cowboys and cowgirls but others through them? Many Israelites went through the Red Sea with Moses but only some of them continued through the Jordan River into the promised land. We hope you continue in support of this ministry and/or your church or some other Christian ministry as God leads you. II Corinthians 8:11 “But now finish doing it also; that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.” Let us know if you want to be a Cowboy Partner with us financially or some other way.

SERVICE: What about you or your group? Is there something I can do for you? Let me know. Isaiah 6:9 “Also, I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Then said I, send me.” I’ll Go.

God’s Blessing and peace be upon you
Your Cowboy Partner and Friend in Christ,
Ronnie Christian

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