Building Yourself Up

By Pastor Jeff Hanson

Jude 20-21, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” 

Roger Campbell wrote a book in the 1980’s titled, “Staying Positive in a Negative World” and a couple authors used the same or very similar title for books they wrote, this theme is even more appropriate in our world today as this country becomes more and more divided and more and more anti-Christian.

If you base your emotional state on the ups and downs of what is going on in our world today, 

1Corinthians 15:17-19, “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” 

 Institutions no matter if it’s the government, the health system, the psychiatric care all have been a huge disappointment to many of us.

Even family can disappoint us, I have been blessed to have been raised in a very loving and supporting family, but I also know this isn’t the case.

Abuse, both physical and emotional is becoming more and more common, it is seen in our educational system as well in religious circles (not just the Catholic church).

Now I will state that not everything is negative in our world as we seen how people are genuine in helping, they neighbor when tragedy happens as we witnessed in the last couple years of hurricane, tornadoes, fires, flooding, and even with the recent government shutdown (churches used to be the place to go for help).

I recently saw on the news that this year it is estimated that 2000 or so new churches will be started in our country, good news?

It went on to say that 16,000 churches will be closed this year, Axios makes the claim this is overstated and would only be 15,000.

2Thessalonians 2:3, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”

2Timothy 3:1-7, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 

So, how do we keep a positive attitude in spite of what we see?

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

How do we build ourselves up in this run by “feelings” world?

Looking for direction?

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” 

Dealing with anxiety?

Philippians 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

Dealing with lack of self-worth?

Psalms 139:14, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

1Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

Dealing with failure (sin)?

1John 1:8-10, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”  

1John 2:1, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

Vince Lombardi is quoted as saying. “its not how many times that you get knocked down that counts, it’s how many times you get up”.

We know how it feels to get knocked down even to the point were it seems so much easier to just give up. Been there!

Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not final, It is the courage to continue that counts”

2Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” 

Be careful of allowing feelings to control your life, Joy is not based on we feel, it’s based on who He is!

Build Yourself up, and let it be known if you are struggling, you have in this church a family that are here to help!