Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

Acts 17:16 KJV

Paul was troubled at the sight of the people he encountered. He was dealing with people living in sin. People who were lost and worshipping false gods. His spirit was stirred at what he saw. Our spirit should be stirred as well at the sight of the very things going on around us. So many people today are lost; many who think their saved. We should do as Paul did and call things out for what they are. You can’t fix a problem until you first acknowledge there is a problem. Where there is sin in leadership, we must call it for what it is. Paul stood in the midst at Mars Hill and declared that the men of Athens were too religious. We must pray and seek the anointing of God to stand before trouble and call it for what it is. We must know that if God be for us, who can be against us. We can’t fear what man might say or do to us. Be concerned with what God is going to say and do when we stand before Him someday. When we have to give account for the things we did and didn’t do. Pray for boldness to confront these issues. Don’t be naive and think that these problems don’t still exist today. The church is in great need of bold witnesses to stand for the truth.

For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:11-13 KJV

We often call on many names when we need help. Maybe it’s our spouse or a friend we normally call on when we need help but when it comes to truly needing help, we must call on Jesus. The scripture tells us that God is the same over the Jew and the Greek. Meaning He is Lord of all. The greatest thing about all this is the fact that all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. We’re not just talking about troubles here on Earth. We’re talking about guaranteeing a place for us in heaven and a way out of this troubled world someday. Jesus is the only way. He tells us that He is the way, the truth, and the life. And no man comes to the Father, but by Him. If you have not called on Jesus, I urge you to do so today. He can help you no matter where your at. Call on the name of the Lord today.

Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

1 Corinthians 5:7-8 KJV

We must purge or get rid of the old leaven that corrupts the truth. 

The leaven or yeast is symbolic to sin and unrighteousness in the lives of God’s people. Yeast causes fermentation and so does sin. We have to get rid of the old leaven. Be unleavened, made without the yeast. It’s symbolic to purity. Don’t let the old leaven ruin the whole lump. It only takes a little bit of leaven to ruin the whole lump. And this is how it starts. A little here and a little there. One sin leads to another and, next thing you know, the whole church is affected by what once was a little leaven. Be unleavened and pure. Purge out the sins and things that are not pleasing to God. Just when the thought comes that says you can’t do it. Remember, Jesus gave His life so you can. 

And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost  was given, he offered them money,

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, He may receive the Holy Ghost.

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine  heart may be forgiven thee.

Acts 8:18-22 KJV

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13 KJV

We are born separated from God. But through accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we become sons of God. This was all made possible by the blood of Jesus Christ. The death of Jesus paid the price for our sins. The scripture tells us that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins; we, as Christians, must live accordingly. There was a time in our life that we were living apart from God but now, as believers in Christ, forgiven of our sins, we are to live as the scripture says. We are made nigh; we are now made where we can live near God. We need to ask ourselves, does our life appear to be living near God? Christ shed His blood so we can. We have no excuse.

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

2 Timothy 1:5-6 KJV 

Paul knew of the faith that Timothy’s grandmother and mother had. He told Timothy that he was sure that same faith was in him also. 

There are many that will read this today. I figure there are many that have this same faith. Paul told Timothy he had to remember to stir up the gift of God. Don’t let go of what God has gifted you. Fight for it, keep it. See to it that the gift of God be stirred up. Don’t let that gift go. God gives us what we need to minister with. He gave you the gift to use. To edify or build up his body. Pray about the gift God has blessed you with. God’s gifts never cease to be in operation. We can get complacent, or even feel the gift causes people to be uncomfortable and it seems we stop pursing to operate in the faith. 

Seek to be stirred up today. God is counting on us. Be His hands and feet. 

Let brotherly love continue.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Hebrews 13:1-2 KJV 

We must make certain that we always demonstrate love for all. We never know who God may put in our path today. Treat everyone with love and kindness. You might be dealing with someone that God put in your path to see how you will treat them. One day we will stand before the Lord and give an account for all that we’ve done and haven’t done. Make certain that we try to demonstrate the love of Christ to all people we come in contact with. You just never know who your truly dealing with. Make every encounter with others count.

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.

Hebrews 3:14 KJV

We are made partakers of Christ but we must not leave out the part of this verse that says we should hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast until the end. This walk with the Lord is one of endurance. There will be bumps and curves along the way. We must keep our faith in Jesus Christ, no matter what obstacles come our way. You can believe in Christ for the most part of your life but, then, due to hardening of the heart, develop unbelief and not make it to heaven. You can’t just believe at one time in your life. You must always believe in Jesus Christ being Lord and Savior. Life can and will throw some things at you to try to cause doubt and unbelief. Keep believing.

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

Proverbs 25:19 KJV

We don’t ever want to solely rely on man. Especially, not an unfaithful man. We are told the unfaithful man is like a bad tooth, or even a dislocated foot. The point is, you can’t count on either of these working when you need them. When trying to eat with a bad tooth, you know how much harder it is to eat. And often you can feel extreme pain. The same thing happens when trying to walk on a dislocated foot. This is how the unfaithful man will be in the time of trouble. Be cautious of who your relying on. An unfaithful man can cause you more harm than good.