25 Reasons to Remain Faithful to God

• To see God (Matthew 5:8)
• To encourage others to remain faithful (Hebrew 13:7)
• To know the wonderful feeling of victory (Revelation 19:1,2)
• To live in a place where there are no tears (Revelation 21:4)
• To live in a place where there is no more pain (Revelation 21:4)
• To see my faithful friends who have died (Revelation 14:13)
• To see my faithful family members who have died (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17)
• To have no regrets (Philippians 1:23)
• To live in a place where there is no more pain (Revelation 21:4)
• To meet Antipas, who literally gave his life for Jesus (Revelation 2:13)
• To fully realize that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18)
• To meet Abel, who, though now dead, still speaks (Hebrews 11:6)
• To live in a place where there is no more death (Revelation 21:4)
• To meet the great prophets of the past who remained faithful to the Lord (Hebrews 11:35-39)
• To hear the new song (Revelation 5:9)
• To hear the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb (Revelation 15:3)
• To rest from the labors of life (Revelation 14:13)
• To meet the children who never had a chance to grow up (1 Samuel 12:23)
• To hear “Well done” (Matthew 25:21)
• To live in a place that was prepared by Jesus for me (John 14:2)
• To live in a place where love continues and controls (1 Corinthians 13:13)
• To know the satisfaction of finishing the race (2 Timothy 4:7)
• To eat of the tree of life (Revelation 2:7)
• To avoid the second death (Revelation 2:11)
• To hear my name confessed before God (Matthew 10:33)

“. . . Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

"Prostitots"

No, I didn't misspell it. It is a new word, coined by a woman in California who has observed the behavior of preteen and teen girls who are trying to emulate the antics of young female celebrities. (Source: Kathleen Devey, with Raina Kelly, "The Girls Gone Wild Effect," Newsweek, February 12, 2007) In manufacturing the word, the woman is describing young girls whose immodest dress, luxurious tastes, and unbridled behavior are pushing past the previous limits of acceptable behavior.

The impact on society is just the latest one in a long line of celebrity misbehavior. Back in the 1960's the Beatles and other groups encouraged rebellion against the "system." The 1970's followed with the motto, "Do your own thing." Then came the 1980's, with Madonna and others flooding the airwaves and video screens with much more explicit lyrics and images. The 1990's just brought more of the same.

Now, those brought through those generations are parents and grandparents. Where the movements of the 60's, 70's, and 80's affected primarily the older teens and young adults, the present case of celebrity worship and misbehavior is affecting smaller children.

Why? 3 reasons: 1) The parents and grandparents have been desensitized by a society that has become increasingly accepting of outrageous behavior. Thus, they are allowing more and more to occur in the lives of their children and grandchildren. 2) In a "free" society, we have loosened the controls of what is said, done, and published, and we are awash in filth. 3) The things being done are not new--they have always been practiced by a fringe of society. However,with mass media, virtually anyone (including young children) can be affected by something that once was observed by only a few.

In addressing the situation, prayer is certainly and always appropriate. Pray for little children and their parents. Pray that worldly influence may be overcome by the light of the word of God and the lordship of Jesus. Parents of young children, be careful in your own dress and behavior. Further, be cautious in your reading and viewing material.

I hope you will read the Newsweek article mentioned above. I hope you will be shocked by the behavior described. Even more, I hope you will be moved to action, even if the least you do is pray about it.

This Sunday

This Sunday, thousands of people will gather to pay homage to that which means so much to them. They will gladly take time out of their busy schedules for this--this is no ordinary day, you know.

This Sunday, careful preparations will have been made. Some people will have traveled great distances to be a part of the gathering which means so much to them. Appropriate clothing will be selected and worn, and anything deemed necessary will have been carefully considered.

This Sunday, a long tradition will be continued. The fact that the gathering is held on a Sunday may be considered an inconvenience by some, but it is definitely not an inconvenience to those who really care. No, the gathering means so much and is steeped in tradition--why, it was even established on a Sunday! True believers would not dream of changing the day of gathering, not even to appeal to a broader audience.

This Sunday, praise will be offered in abundance. People will have no problem thinking of terms to express their adoration. Words like "great" and "powerful" will easily slip into their vocabulary. Such praise will be spontaneous and from the heart. No one will doubt the enthusiasm of the participants because it is so obvious that the occasion means so much to them.

This Sunday, thousands of people will make sacrifices to be a part of the gathering. Their time spent in travel, the gathering itself, will not be considered burdensome because of what they will get out of it. You see, they will have invested so much of themselves in the experience, it would be difficult not to get anything out of it. Likewise, great amounts of money will be sacrificed at the gathering. Money, after all, is something with which we have been blessed (and the occasion certainly is seen to be worthy of the sacrifice).

This Sunday, evangelism will be practiced all across America, as well as much of the world. Families and friends will gather for the occasion because such "good news" just has to be shared with those we love. When you think about it, it really isn't hard to invite a friend to share something with you when that "something" means so much to you.

Yes, I really think the Super Bowl is going to be great this year! What--You thought I was talking about something else?

Then again, maybe I was.