Kevin A. Pierpont
Higgins Lake Baptist Church
2/27/05

Of being steadfast it has been said that…

There aren’t any hard-and-fast rules for getting ahead in the world—just hard ones.

Let me share a few more quotes with you that may teach us a thing or two about being steadfast. It’s been said that “In order to live off a garden, you practically have to live in it” (Kin Hubbard).

It’s also been said that, “You don’t have to lie awake nights to succeed. Just stay awake days” (Healthways).

There’s a Japanese Proverb says that, “There is no poverty that can overtake diligence.”

And you know – “Triumph is just umph added to try.”

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Kevin A. Pierpont
Higgins Lake Baptist Church
2/13/05

Last week in our study in Philippians we saw the enemies of the cross of Christ described by Paul. It’s not exactly a pleasant task to examine the enemies of the cross described by Paul and to consider their future. But as we noted last time they are living for self and they glory in things that should bring shame and their end is destruction. While not enjoyable it ought to be sobering to realize what is in store for those who don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
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Kevin A. Pierpont
Higgins Lake Baptist Church
2/6/05

Good examples are important aren’t they? There was a Christian father who was explaining to his little boy what a Christian is—in his innocence the youngster looked up and said, “Dad, have I ever seen a Christian?”

Good examples are powerful as well. Mark Twain once said that “few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.” Doesn’t it bug you when you aren’t quite doing something as well or with as much dedication as you ought to and you look over at the next person who’s giving their all?
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Kevin—my oldest son—and I were traveling today—I had an appointment for a root canal. It was a bright and beautiful sunny Friday afternoon with temperatures in the 40’s—not bad for northern Michigan in early February. Our car was filthy from the road grime of recent wintry weather. Every time we got in the car we noted the filth. We hadn’t seen a car wash yet and didn’t have time to go look for one. On our return home we both looked over at a filthy pickup passing us on the highway. Kevin exclaimed, “Oh man!” at the road grime and condition of the passing vehicle. As he did I noted that the driver was probably looking at our dark green station wagon covered with road salt and filth saying the same thing. The irony of that thought brought us both to laughter.

It’s pretty easy to see and be disgusted by the grit and grime in other peoples lives. It’s also easy to forget about and overlook our own messiness. But the unexamined life is a bit of a waste. It’s too easy to be disgusted by the messy people around us while neglecting our own need. If we don’t make regular checkups of our own spiritual condition we’re bound to not be as squared away as we ought to be.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139: 23, 24 (ESV)