Personal Visibility and Effectiveness

When you have God in your life, it is okay if you have a flat tire on your way to work, and it is okay if you don't. When other people are trying to figure out how to handle a certain situation, you are not concerned because you know that you can handle it either way it goes.

Psalms 46: 1 & 2
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth is removed, and though the mountains are carried into the midst of the sea; When there are problems all around, sin is running rampant and you are discouraged in the world you live in and the people around you, it would be a good time to put on the full armor of God. The gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit and praying in the spirit. You are not fighting against this world or flesh and blood; you are in a spiritual battle with the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world and against the mighty powers of darkness that rule this world. They are depressing your spirit.

1John 2: 15 through 17
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are not of the Father, but are of the world. And the world passed away, and the lust thereof: he that doeth the will of God abided for ever.

God tells us to witness to others about His word and salvation through His son Jesus Christ, but He also tells us not to cast our "pearls before swine" such as in a place of drinking, for example. There is usually enough of God's work for us to do in our own church family. Visiting one another, sharing conversations and ideas with each other, enlightens and strengthens our relationships. That is the best way to build God's family. As outsiders see happy, contented, successfully living in believers lives that they would like to have. It also has a strong bonding effect within. A friend's countenance is a look or expression, indicative of encouragement or of moral support for one another.

Proverbs 27: 17
Iron sharpened iron so a man sharpened the countenance of his friend.

There are many places that a solid man of God can go or visit, but take heed to watch out for weaker believers that might say, he is going there or doing that, so it must be all right. We have a responsibility to lead properly.

Romans 14: 13
Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Although a believer may stumble and fall into sin at times; maybe even in a big way; the general path and direction of his life will be one of holiness and passion for God and His glory. The true believer will never sin flippantly and will strive, in the strength of God's grace, to live a holy life. Once truly saved; always saved. The key here is the Holy Spirit must convict you and you must accept God's gift on bended knee, with tears in your eyes and a heavy, heavy heart of remorse. No one can fool God.

John 10: 27 & 28
My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish; neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

 Galatians 6: 7 &8
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sowed, that shall he also reap. For he that sowed to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that sowed to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting.
Once you have recovered from the traumatic experience of being accepted by God into His everlasting family, you will become a new creature, with an assuredness of your salvation that you will never forget.

2nd Thessalonians 2: 13
But we are bound to give thanks always to god for you, brethren beloved of the Lord; because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification go the spirit and belief of the truth.