Stop~n~Think is a weekly encouragement from IHL Ministry Coordinator Tim Chastain. We encourage you to stop for a moment, read it, and reflect on it with your teammates in the locker room and during the week!
Following Christ in a Culture gone awry
Today men in the U.S. who are Christ-followers must understand that they are in an all-out fight against the culture in which they live. I think we can safely say that the current U.S. culture is trying very hard to wipe away all that remains of biblical Christianity in America. Be it media, arts, education, science, medicine, business, government or law, the mere mention of anything Christian, including overtly religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter, will often trigger a visceral and even hateful reaction. Today we are in the midst of the Christmas season. Will you proclaim the good news of Jesus through your actions and words? Will you wish (proclaim to) others a “Merry Christmas” or shrink in your faith as cultural pressure continues to mount against all Christ-followers and succumb to “Happy Holidays?” Make no mistake, our words and actions as Christ-followers matter. Acts 5:29 tell us: “We must obey God rather than men.” This is naturally a great time of year to proclaim JESUS …after-all HE is the reason for Christmas!
Jesus spent time preparing His disciples for adversity and tells us to do the same … to expect adversity! "You will be hated by everyone because of Me … but stand firm” (Matthew 10:22).
REMEMBER THIS: “We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when evil comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will be standing firm. -- Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet” (Ephesians 6:12-13,15).
An Integrity Hockey Stop~n~Think 12-1-2023
