Persecution

Can I stand alone? Would I stand for Christ if it means I would be completely shunned by those around me? It’s the million dollar question when I think about persecution. I have little doubt that I would say ‘I believe’ if someone was holding a gun to my head and that answer meant the trigger would be pulled. The fear I have is that I couldn’t withstand ongoing persecution. Then again, that is the whole reason for the Holy Spirit as our comforter, right? Would you say the whole point is that we can’t do persecution alone and that is why we would develop a closer relationship with God and a close bond with the Holy Spirit?

This is on my mind this morning as I think about doing hard things in this world. It's easy to say I am going to do hard things for the Lord, but what are these things? Easy answers that first arise are "help at a charity" or "get into the Word with other Christians" or even "get involved in the Church." The harder answers are ones about persecution, because...who likes to be persecuted? I think about what Paul was talking about to the Corinthians, "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take PLEASURE in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." But then I think...what does this persecution even look like now? It's definitely not the same as during Paul's lifetime, although sometimes I wish that. But no, it's so different now. Of course it's around us when friends laugh at us for doing something with the Church, or even when we talk about God to unbelievers and they just kind of roll their eyes. How, then, can I be persecuted? Can I crave this painful thing so much as to, in my mind, dare people to persecute me for my love in a life with Christ? Could the response from my friends, or my persecutor drive the passion inside of me to keep on living in Christ and talking about Him to all?...even if they will try to make me look dumb for what I live in and for?

Do. Hard. Things.

Planting Flowers

On Saturday, the youth from APG Chapel had the opportunity to plant flowers for the Shipley's. Let me tell you how much this humbled them! It was so good to see the youth so eager to help the older members of our church! Mrs. Amy was so amazed at them, it brought tears to her eyes, and to mine.

The thing that amazes me the most is the unity that God has brought in and given to us, making us a family. The church = On Body in Christ! Our love for each other is/should be a mirror picture of God's love for us.

"How good and pleasant is it when brothers live together in unity!" Psalm 133:1

Brothers and Sisters in Christ...

...stand FIRM. Let NOTHING Move you. Always give yourselves FULLY to the work of the LORD, because you know that your labor in the LORD is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Psalm 73

I was reading in Psalm 73 this morning about the tragedy of the wicked, and the blessedness of trust in God. The Psalmist is a little envious of the wicked because of their prosperity. In a moment, he forgets his own blessings, only looking at all that the wicked have and the way of their hearts. Then, remembering his own life, he says, "When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me- until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end." (v. 16-17) The wicked and selfish at heart might have "riches" and "wealth" here on the earth, but what is that in all eternity? What satisfaction can worldly expenses have but temporal? Then the Psalmist does something else: he remembers how he came to The Lord. "Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind. I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You." (v. 21-22) We all have moments in our lives when we realize our own foolishness and sinfulness, but, thanks be to God, repentance is followed by a humbling forgiveness! "Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." (v. 23-24) Not only a realized forgiveness, but a hope of eternity worshiping GOD and that knowing that He is all that we need because He is all that can satisfy our every longing in life and after." Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (v. 25-26) Of course, it doesn't stop with the joy that God has given us with completed satisfaction in Him. No. Now we have a life to live on the earth in relationship with God, trusting and following Him, and telling others about Him. "But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all Your works." (v. 28)

God is among us. He loved us first and from the beginning. He is the only satisfaction for our lives on earth and for eternity.