1st Timothy 6:11-16
                                                 How important is your confession?
First, let’s define confession.  It is the statement of your belief.  Timothy in this portion of Paul’s letter is urged not to compromise on his confession, but hold it to the death.  The question I put to each of us today is this. Are we willing to hold our confession to that point?  The question that we are to think about this cold Minnesota morning is. Do I believe what I say I believe?  How far are we willing to go to hold to that which we know is true?  Or, are we willing to fold our beliefs and give into the mere peer pressure of those around us who do not have a personal relationship with God the Father through his Son Jesus the Christ, by the Holy Spirit?  Many in the Catholic, Lutheran tradition share the creeds on Sunday morning.  But even though recite them, what happens when the pressure starts coming to cave in on those things that we believe, and state that we really don’t believe them.  I encourage each and every one of us to take a deep look at your confession. Purpose in your mind never to compromise on it, but stand firm in your belief. 
Go in peace
Michael