Lately, I have been compelled to write more about spiritual things. I had been living a complacent life here and there but God woke me up from my slumber. This happened several months ago. Since I was little, I always had a passion for languages. God knows this about me and so when I was browsing through oneplace to listen to a sermon, I was led to listen to someone whom I have not heard from before and he started to ask, “Quelle heure est-il?” That immediately got my attention. French happened to be my favorite subject when I was in high school.
After hearing part of that pastor’s message (still amazed since I really have not heard of that man before), I decided to go listen to Jan Markell (she’s a Messianic Jew) whose ministry is about current events/End Times. Little did I know I was going to hear the same question on her program, “Do you know what time it is?” That to me was a confirmation of God trying to get my attention. Since that day, I look at things differently.
Lately, the theme of my posts had been about suffering for Jesus and rightly so because our Christian brothers and sisters in the world are losing their lives over their faith. We rarely get any coverage on their plight in the media because even the Christians who were slaughtered over Resurrection Sunday were dubbed and alluded to be pagans, Easter worshippers. The media has their hand in downplaying the harsh reality of what Christians worldwide are facing. Our light persecution in the form of false accusations, pale in comparison because we are fortunate to live in a country with religious freedom.
My character has been put into question over what was meant to be a private exchange which I made public to counter an attempt to smear my testimony for Jesus. I have been blogging for nearly 10 years and I have posted about the good and bad times in my life which became a log of entries enabling me to retrace where I was in my faith walk over the years. The Christian life is not meant to be a perfect life. I know, this is rather cliché but this is truly a fitting illustration; to be a Christian means we can no longer swim wherever the current takes us. It is a call to swim upstream. Not only is this difficult, but predators abound.
Brothers and sisters, persecution is here and it will only get worse. Cling to the Truth and stand boldly for His Word. Tomorrow could be your day of testing, but be encouraged.
You will not be burned by the fire (Isaiah 43:2).
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.“
2 Corinthians 4:7-12
[Image: E Kaplan]
I ABSOLUTELY love this…
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ…Colossians 3:23-24
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand….John 10:27-28
I am greatly encouraged by this Brother. Thank You.
“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “WHATEVER HE SAYS TO YOU< DO IT…..John 2:1-5
To God be the all the glory!!!
Amen!
“10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
Here you see a picture of a genuine Christian. Only true believers will be persecuted which will show the world, Jesus, in that person. For the world to hate you, you must have the Holy Spirit and thus you will be recognized as a follower of Jesus Christ. Your sufferings for Christ will open up some hearts to hear the gospel because they will see how much you love Jesus.
If even only a single soul… It is the Holy Spirit’s work and I am just a vessel. Thanks for the encouragement.