Peer Pressure
Scripture Reading for the day: Leviticus 19:9-18
Scripture Quote: “Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. Their future is eternal destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and all they think about is this life here on earth.” Philippians 3:17-19 (NLT)
Many so-called friends will call us freakish because we have turned our lives over to Jesus. When we stop laughing at the off-color jokes, or refuse to participate in the conversations centered on gossip and blasphemous language, we will be pressured on all sides to conform and quit acting “holier than thou”. You will be criticized by your peers; there is no doubt about it.
The good news is that we can find a new set of friends who also dedicate themselves to serving God – Know this; we will be in much better company if we choose to walk with the Lord and his people. Keeping our eyes on Him, taking the narrow path that leads to life, we will have confident comfort deep down in our soul.
Meditation for the day: “Only the man who follows the command of Jesus single handedly and unresistingly lets his yoke rest upon him, finds his burden easy and under its gentle pressure receives the power to persevere in the right way.” Dietrich Bonhoeffen
Memory Verse: “For the LORD God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right. Psalm 84:11 (NLT)