First, Live in The Fear of the Lord; Proverbs 14:26,27 ”In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.“ What is it to walk in the “Fear of the Lord”. It is obedience, it is trust, it is complete confidence, it is comfort and a place of safety .

Second, live in, sincerity and Truth; Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.“ Matthew 5:37 ”But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.“ We all know it’s our choice how we live our life, so are the choices we’re making for God or for us? Joshua 24:1324 “The people were called to make a choice and they chose to serve the Lord.”

Third, live unashamed, bold and strong; Romans 1:16 ”For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” We are called to live a life for Jesus to be bold, strong and unashamed of our savior, am I? 1 Kings 18:17-21 “Elijah stood alone for God brave, bold, and loud for His Lord.”

Fourth, live despite the pressures of this world; Hebrews 12:1,2 ”I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.“ Today the world is pushing the followers of Jesus to be open and accepting of every religion or belief out there but we are called to tell the world Jesus is the only way and He does not change.

Fifth, live on guard because the traps are set; 1 Peter 5:8,9 ”Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.“ There are so many ways for us to fall, for Christians to do things that may seem good but the end will bring sorrow, destruction, and death. Daniel 6:5-28 “Daniel did not change His life or his worship of God even though the trap had been set, Daniel stayed true to the Lord.”

Living in the fear of the Lord, in sincerity and truth, unashamed, bold and strong, despite the pressures and the traps of this life takes one thing, and that is to follow the word of God!

Donnie Spears is the pastor at Corinth Baptist Church near Cassville. He may be reached at 417-847-4165.