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Hello Family,
Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he behaves in moments of comfort and convenience, but how he stands at times of challenge and controversy." I decided many years ago to be a man who stands on his convictions. I choose to stand in my integrity, even when it makes others angry or uncomfortable. This is what living the truth is all about.
Jesus taught many things that made the powerful uncomfortable. His divine integrity is what ultimately led Him to the cross. As a young preacher, I was taught that a good sermon should comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Indeed, whenever we become satisfied or comfortable with the state of this world, we need to stop and take a look at ourselves and at the world, though the lens of Christ and of His teachings. When we do, we will see that our world is woefully in need of an army of persons who are willing to suffer and to sacrifice for the truth.
Standing for what is right is challenging, and it is often unpopular, but if you are God's child, you must stand, nonetheless. Where do you stand today? Do you stand for what benefits you and you alone, or do you stand for what God desires? I cannot speak for you, but for my part, I stand for God. I stand for truth. I stand for love.
In this pivotal moment,
Pastor Jerome M. Hurst