1. Be like-minded with Jesus and each other. This is so important for Christ-followers – we have to be rock-solid in Jesus before we can change the world – begins with developing the mind of Christ – what would it be like if we were locked arm-in-arm with churches in the area, focusing on what we were for, our commonalities instead of our differences? We will change Montgomery and surrounding areas when we get this right – in fact, we feel called as a church to be the catalyst for a ONE CHURCH movement in this community – think about it: if you live in isolation, when persecution, trials or suffering come, you will wilt under the pressure -

2. The way you respond to trials and suffering reveals where your faith lies. If your whole belief system goes out the window when things get hard, then your faith is in something other than the goodness of God. God is good even when you don’t get your way.

3. Prepare yourself to “BE HOPE WHERE THERE IS NO HOPE.” If you do not “Revere Christ as Lord in your heart”, meaning you are not pursuing that relationship on a daily basis in an intimate way, your defense of your “hope” will often come with an edge, wanting to be right more than loving the person in front of you. Remember, “gentleness and respect” comes FROM Jesus, and you can walk away as a transformer rather than a pot-stirrer.

4. Jesus is the antidote for a suffering spirit. Suffering is completely subjective. Jesus can change your perspective in the middle of your suffering – Hebrews 12:2 – “For the joy set before him he endured the cross…” – Jesus gives perspective, LOVE, PEACE AND HOPE in the middle of your pain if you’ll let him.