School's Back!

I'm sure you're reading this because of your overexcitement because of school starting back up...but maybe not. Maybe you are heading into the 2006-07 year with the reality that your faith may be challenged, even moved by some temptation or problem you do or don't yet see.
1 Corinthians 15:58 says, "Stand firm...let nothing move you..." Have you purposed in your heart, like Joseph around Potiphar's wife, like Daniel around the king's delicacies, like Jesus around the wilderness and Satan's tests?
Purpose in your heart BEFOREHAND that you'll let nothing move your faith.
Paul realized that he was about to enter the "lion's den" of the Jerusalem Jewish religious leaders, and he knew his faith would be stretched more than at any other time. He knew what he was about to endure threatened not only his faith and beliefs, but also his very life. He said in Acts 20:23-24: "...chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

You are no doubt about to enter this school year with the realization that pitfalls and problems are up ahead, and I would challenge you to not let fear or peer pressure or anxiety or lust or anything move you from your stand for God. Why? So you can, like Paul, finish your race with joy, and do the ministry of testifying to the gospel of the grace of God.

I'm praying for you!
His, Pilgrim