For a New Beginning, Forsake the World

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Bishop Keith Butler

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. Hebrews 11:23 (KJV)

Do you want this new year to be have some new beginnings? Then you're going to have to forsake the world system. The world will bombard you with the easy way out. However, you have to decide that by faith God's way is the only way for you.

Moses is a good example of a man who forsook the world. You see Moses was raised in Pharaoh's house. He was someone of privilege and authority. Yet, he had compassion for his Jewish brethren and killed an Egyptian for beating one and he was driven out of Egypt.

It seemed as though Moses was going to spend the rest of his life in the desert, then God approached him and called him to be the deliverer of His people. But there were some steps that led to Moses having his new beginning:

Verse 24, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. In other words, he made a decision that he was not going to accept any benefits by any other means than God. If you're going to have an anointed new beginning, you have to refuse to do it any other way than God's way.

Verse 25, Moses chose to go God's way than enjoy the pleasures of sin. You have to make up your mind that as for me and my house; we choose to serve the Lord. This has to be your attitude even if you don't get blessed--to go God's way.

Verse 26, Moses esteemed God's blessing higher than anything man could give him. His attitude was, I would rather get it all from God and nothing from man. You see, you have to stick to this regardless of what men offer you. Yes, you may have to wait a little longer, but that's all right. If I can't have it God's way, I don't want it period.

Then verse 27, Moses forsook Egypt and followed God. When you decide to follow God, many times you will have to go against the wind. Egypt represents the easy way, the sinful way, and the crowded way. It's the way everybody wants to go. But Moses made a decision, and he did it by faith, that was to forsake Egypt.

Listen, God is about giving you a new beginning, but you have to determine that it's going to be God's way or no way.

Scripture References: John 8:12; 12:25; Matthew 16:26; Mark 4:19

What To Do in Times of Trouble

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Bishop Keith Butler

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15 (KJV)

Do you know what time it is? It is time to give God thanks because He is your Deliverer! In the time of trouble, you have to abound in thanksgiving to God. Thank Him for protection. Thank Him for provision. Thank Him for your food. Thank Him for your job. Thank the Father whether or not it looks like things are working. When you do, you release His ability and power.

In 2 Corinthians 4:16 it says, "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not s een: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (KJV)

We have no need to faint and no need to fear. When we are in Christ, we don't gauge our future by what the stock market does. We don't gauge our future by what the news reporters say. We gauge our standing in this life by the word of God which lives and abides forever.

So I'm telling you today, don't look at all the things you are reading in the newspaper. Instead look to God. You may not see God, but you know He's there. You know He makes a way for you. So begin to thank Him for doing it right now.

In 2 Thessalonians 1:6 it says "it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you." In other words, God is going to trouble your trouble. In 2 Thessalonians 2:2 it says, "That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand ."

So, know what time it is and don't be troubled. Don't be frightened. Don't be full of fear. God is pleased by our thanksgiving, and He will move in our situation. It is time now to thank God for delivering us by His mighty power!

Scripture References: 2 Thessalonians 1:6; Acts 16:25-26

Keeping Yourself Holy and Pure

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Bishop Keith Butler

But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6:17-18 (KJV)

There are many traps set for the single individual who is living holy. The Bible tells you what to do in a dating relationship that begins to develop into ungodly behavior. 1 Cor. 6:17 says to flee fornication. What does "flee" mean? Flee doesn't mean, "I can deal with it." Flee means get on your running shoes and run. In other words, when you come into a scenario and sense that there is ungodly potential there, don't hang around. Get out of Dodge. That is how you keep yourself holy.

Prayer is essential for the single individual. You have to be prayed up so that you can see trouble coming, and so that you will have strength to flee. Proverbs 6:27 says, "Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" Flee that situation.

This is one reason why a born again brother may end a relationship with a born again sister. Men know that they cannot deal with holding on to a woman and stay holy. So, if he dates a single woman a couple of times, and she jumps all on him, he is going to cut it short. He is trying to be saved. If this woman keeps on messing with him he knows he is going to get in trouble. So he decides he cannot see her anymore, and ends it.

That goes the other way too. Here is a single woman living holy before God. She is dating this guy. They have only been out once or twice, and he has his paws all over her. Here is what to do with him: "Sorry Charlie." I'm looking for a holy man. She will not deal with him any further. She is looking for somebody who can exhibit control.

Holiness is self-control. The way to get a godly mate is to exhibit self-control in your life. Nothing is worth losing your testimony over. So, stay in prayer and in the Word. It is there that you will be strengthened to keep yourself holy and pure, and to live a life pleasing to God.

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Peter 2:9