Standing on Grace.

It's a lonely place when you're standing on the Rock, but you're still in this world. The company is few...but the company is committed. The enemy likes to deceive us...he is a liar and an accuser...he likes to discourage us...because when we let one ounce of doubt enter into our hearts, he runs with it. When we allow that to happen, we open ourselves up to distraction...and we lose sight of our rightful place, standing on the grace of Christ. This is dangerous...and not in the exhilarating sense...it is detrimental.

"'But the time is coming--indeed it's here now--when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.'" --John 16:32-33.

This, of course, is Christ speaking to His disciples before He was led to His crucifixion...but if we are truly seeking Christlikeness and sanctification as we should be, these words will be true of us. God has placed us on this earth, but He has not left us without the things we need in order to stand strong and to accomplish the work that He has created us to do here.

"I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation--the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God." --Philippians 1:9-10.

Being honest with people and approaching them when something that they are doing is contrary to what God calls us to is a rough thing to do. It is often self-condeming as well...because sometimes the things that stick out to we most in other people are precisely the things that we struggle with most. Nevertheless, it is sometimes painful...but adversity builds character...woo hoo!

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment, for we know how much God loves us because He has sent us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love." --Romans 5:3-5. (yes, Romans.)

May we never forget that we are never alone.