1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or Whatever you do, do all for the Glory of God.

As followers of Christ we must give him our total alliance, and we can not eat at the Lord's table, and at satans. Eating at the Lords table means communing with Christ, and identifying with his death. Eating at satans table means identifying with satan, by paticipating in actions that worship or promote heathen or evil activities.

QUESTION: Are you trying to lead two lives, following the desires of both Christ and the crowd (world)?

RESPONSE: The Bible says you can't do both at the same time. God has a work for each of us... A positive and prayerfull attitude will enable us to accomplish Gods purpose in our lives.

ARE YOU PUSHING OR PULLING?

The Downward Pull

(1) Some people claim the name of Christ and seldomly speak a complimentry word... In stead they continually critisize and find fault.

(2) An inferiority complex, experiences envy and strives to demean or discredit others in an effort to lift thier own sagging ego.

(3)Christians with confidence in God need not pull others down. We should be quick to forgive and express cleansing Love, and Faith to lift the estimation of ones worth.

The Upword Push

(1) Happy Christians push upwards. Although they are aware of the worlds chaotic conditions, they look beyond dicoragging circumstances, with Faith.

(2) Christians reach for the highest and the best. They look for the good in others.
1 JOHN 5:4 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the son of god.
We please God and help others by pushing upword in Faith. Faith brings Victory.

HEBREWS 11:30-40

The real Victory that God promised even though we may physically die, we will live forever because of Christ. When we suffer, we say "Why me?" we might even think God deserted you or was not as dependable as you thought. In all reality there is much suffering, even for believers. Just remember God is still in control. He allows Christians to become martyrs for Faith and he allows others to survive persecution. Rather than asking "Why me?" it is more helpful to ask "Why not me?" The values of this world, and are values (as Christians) are on a collision corse. We should expect pain and suffering to come (without shock when it hits). Jesus understands our fears, weaknesses and dissapointments. He promisses never to leave us, we should remember to trust confidently in Him, and Him alone.

THE INWARD PULL
(1) Some Christians pull inward...They are self centered, concerned only with thier interests.

(2) Some feel unwanted and unimportant. They fail to realize that God is no respecter of persons...God loves each of us EQUALLY.

Christians should not pull inward...God has given each of us certain talents or gifts, and we must recognize our God given abilities and develop them to glorify God...just as MATHEW 25:14-30 (THE PARABLE OF THE LOANED MONEY) Jesus talked about.

THE OUTWARD PUSH
(1)These fortunate Christians push outward. They loose thier selves in the service in the services of God, and find joy and blessings in doing so.
(2) They push outward by helping people in need, comforting the sick and lonely, and They share Christ.
Pushing outward is rewarding in this life and the life to come.

THE BACKWARD PULL
Christians sometimes pull backwards...becouse they lack vision...This can discourage or hinder others from God's Kingdom on earth.
II CORINTHIANS 6:1 We then, as workers together with Him, also plead with you. Not to recieve the grace of God in vien. We must cooperate with God and His cause and His people.
II CORINTHIANS 6:4 We must approve ourselves as ministers of God...We must not hinder God's work by pulling backward.

THE FORWARD PULL
(1) Victorious Christians push forward.
MATHEW 17:20 When the mountains are steep or the valleys seem deep. These Christians continue to push forward, and they dont stop.

IF YOU ARE FACING A PROBLEM THAT SEEMS AS BIG AS A IMMOVABLE MOUNTAIN...TURN YOUR EYES AWAY FROM THE MOUNTAIN AND FIX YOUR EYES UPOUN JESUS.

We must push foreward when lifes results seem slow.

We must continue to be faithful...God will send the increase in His own time, and in His own way.

REVELATION 2:10 Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.