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CURRENT RADIO SERIES The Power of Spiritual Engagement   CURRENT TV SERIES LifeWorks

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. --Hebrews 11:5 It’s sad to me how so many Christians are so immersed in sin and seeking after vain things that they end up conforming to the world, and not to Christ. To be sure the temptations are strong…and sometimes difficult to overcome. Perhaps you are struggling with giving in to the temptations of our world today.  If so, I want to give you a word of hope today by reminding you of a man named Enoch.  Enoch lived a holy life during another period in history that was also full of sin and debauchery. Enoch wasn’t a great missionary, a powerful preacher, or a leader of the people. But he stood out in a depraved generation.  Specifically, the Bible says that Enoch walked with God. Now that’s interesting because the Christian life is often described as a walk. It’s about taking small steps, one at a time. And as we take these steps, God sometimes places an event in our path that becomes a turning point for us. For Enoch, there was a turning point, a time in his life where he went from normal to extraordinary.  I believe this turning point came when Enoch had a child at the age of 65. This experience pushed him to be a better child of God and walk in true faith. Many times, even though we’re Christians, we are pushed to live holier lives by some turning point or experience. At 65, Enoch became such a unique follower of God that he made faith’s “Hall of Fame” in Hebrews 11. It’s not only possible to walk with God in the midst of a perverse generation, but it’s what God expects from us. If there is something that is keeping you from walking as closely as possible with Christ, ask the Holy Spirit to show it to you and help you deal with it. Perhaps today will be a turning point in your life…when your life will go from normal to extraordinary! God wants you to walk closely with Him and to live a life that is extraordinary. Sooner Is Better than Later by Dr. Paul Chappell “Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.” Luke 12:57–59 Though no one knows exactly who originated the expression, “A stitch in time saves nine,” this proverb has been in print in one form or another since at least 1732 (and it appears to be even older than that). The concept of fixing a problem while it is small rather than waiting until it becomes larger seems so self-evident that it almost does not need expression. But the tendency of our fallen nature is to procrastinate and delay rather than taking on a challenge, and often that ends up with us facing much harsher consequences than we would have. There is no merit in delaying doing something that is right and helpful. Whether in terms of healing a relationship, offering encouragement, or meeting a need, sooner is always better than later. While wise planning for the future is important, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of putting off doing things for others until some later date. The reality is that some opportunities are only available for a short time, and if we delay, they will disappear. One of General George Patton’s favorite sayings was, “A good solution applied with vigor now is better than a perfect solution applied ten minutes later.” We certainly should not be constantly dashing around without any thought or plan for our lives, but we need to be active. Far more is lost by procrastination and delay than by fervent service for the Lord in the present moment. Today’s Growth Principle:  If you delay doing good for others and for God’s kingdom, you may miss the opportunity all together