(August 28, 2024) Richard Winter gently and cooly shares ‘food for serious thought’…

Who is this man to the right?

• A tough guy.
• Distinctive hair style.
• Famous saying – ‘I pity the fool.’

Mr T, of course… from The A-Team TV series, known for his ‘toughness.’

Christians also have to be tough — spiritually tough — in this world because we are involved in a spiritual war! So I’m going to share about five T’s every Christians should be awake to and delevop, noting that we must —

• Not be foolish in our faith.
• Be wise in what we say and do.
• Remember that when we lie down to sleep our protective God is awake!

Those ‘Five T’s’ that we must be aware of in these troubled times —

T1 — Trust
It can be easy to plan our own lives, our kids, families. But if we want to have work of lasting value we need to partner with God!

The world has changed and we need to trust God even more for the unknown future. Are there areas where we — (you, me) — are trying to do it all by ourselves?

These are days for personal committal —  it’s time to fully trust God. Come before Him in prayer and give it all to God lest we’re labouring in vain!

Read Psalm 127:1… and trust God to build your house… your family, your future, whatever you’re into for Him.

T2 — Trials
Christians everywhere face daily trials! And the apostle James says that when we face trials of many kinds, … ‘Count it all joy.’

Count trials as joy? Trials are an experience for faith… we develop in difficulties. God is not looking for an argument on trials — He’s looking for us to know His will in these situations! What is required in times of trial is wisdom for which we ask God — and be obedient to His directions.

There are two ways to face a problem — go it alone, the natural way or ask God for divine wisdom. This life will need God in it for us to survive devils evils… and He is for the Christian! He has given us the powerful Holy Spirit to help us overcome trials and at the end of life we are promised a crown of eternal life.

T3 — Temptations
Someone said opportunity may knock but once…but temptation leans on the doorbell!

Temptation is when we feel like doing the wrong thing, which is not sin itself — even Jesus was tempted. Rather it is a call to battle!

• Temptation doesn’t come from God — He can’t do evil.
• It can come from Satan, but it normally comes from within.
• The evil works on our desires which will give birth to sin.

We are deceived when we believe we can have things God says are not good for us cf Adam and Eve.

Every time you feel like doing the wrong thing and then do the right thing, you are growing in maturity, strength and wisdom!

T4 — Tongue
One of greatest tests of character is our tongue. James says we need to keep a tight rein on it!

In James 3:10NLB he wrote: ‘… blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!’

Christians who wrongly speak badly need to get their mouth under control. The Message Bible strongly states, ‘My friends, this can’t go on.’

In James 1:19-20, we are instructed: ‘My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.’

In other words, press the delete button on immoral speech! And accept the word of God which will save you. Remember that God’s word is all about transformation… it is like seed and seed needs time to grow. We all need time to grow and understand God’s word.

Reading God’s word, listening to it being preached is not enough — we must do what it says.  Our prayer should be ‘Help me listen to you, Lord.’

T5 — Turning
God has no pleasure in condemning people and He has always called people to turn from their wicked ways! Ezekiel 33:11, for example: ‘Turn! Turn from your evil ways!’

Now you are not responsible for another’s decisions… but Christians are called to serve God by sharing His word. We are responsible to tell others about salvation in Jesus.

All Christians are involved in the task of telling unsaved souls to turn from their sins. Yes, we are disappointed when some don’t respond and turn away from evil and sin… but our responsibility is love, encourage, provide opportunity to turn.

Remember also that Christians must be on guard that we don’t turn from trusting our God and His word! Hebrews 3:12 warns: ‘See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.’

Tenacity
This is one more T that I would draw your attention to. It means being able to grip something firmly. Paul urges us in Ephesians 4:1 be tenacious about our Christianity: ‘I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.’ 

Message Bible is very strong here: ‘I want you to get out there and walk — better yet, run! — on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere.’ 

God wants us all to live righteously, to — 

• Trust Him
• Overcome trials
• Resist temptations
• Guard our tongue
• Have believing hearts!

I’ll close by putting the above this way…  we must be like Mr T —  that is today’s Christian Mr T’s. (Right: Mr T today, sharing the good news).

Remember what I said above… we’re in a spiritual war! Develop your spiritual toughness! Fight the bad guys of sin and deception —  become a warrior for Jesus! 

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Dr Richard Winter pastors The Connection Church, Huntington Beach, California. Link: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com  
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