Reading through Job 19, we get a glimpse of the hardship Job went through. The chapter details just how difficult life was for him at that time. People around him had nothing good nor helpful to say. He met no comfort. Instead, all he kept hearing were tormenting and crushing words that sank his spirits even deeper. People were condemning him; suspicious that he was in great sin because of the great trials and sufferings he was going through. People thought themselves better than him and looked on him with contempt without any effort to hide what they felt.
In prayers, Job cried for help and for justice, but God didn’t seem to answer. He felt God had closed all doors and left him in the dark. He was stripped of decency. His friends and relatives forsook him. His workers wouldn’t beckon to his call. Even his very wife was repulsed with him. To top it off, his body was wearing out because of a disease.
In all these, he decides to still set his mind on God. He says, “I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end, he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh, I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
Now we must remember that Job was a real person. He was just like us. He wasn’t perfect. He wasn’t supernaturally endowed with resolve or spirituality. He was like us in every way and the book of Job shows how human Job was like we are. The account of Job is to be thanked because it shows us that the child of God can weather the storms and setbacks of life. You and I can respond right even when things are going so wrong. Through the life of Job, we can find encouragement to stay the path even when the flesh wants what Job’s wife wanted in chapter 2 verse 9, “to curse God and just die.”
When the wind is against us and when we can’t make sense of what to do, Scripture points us to how we can respond right.
1. When life is troublesome, keep trusting.
Even impending death should not be a cause for a Christian to forsake God. Job 13:15 says, “Though He slays me, yet will I trust Him”.
2. When life is bad, keep loving God.
We may not understand the situation but God has proven Himself over and again that He is good. Think of Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.”
3. When nights are sleepless, keep staying your mind on God.
Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You.” Philippians 4:7 says, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” There’s one blessing the child of God can enjoy, to have peace even when everything is in chaos. This cannot be achieved by human methods, not by yoga, not by any potion. But when you’re at your wit’s end, when your back is against the wall and you have nowhere to go, the Spirit of God in you comes to calm you and bring you to stillness. In perfect release, surrender, and trust, you find God. You find peace.
Nothing beats the feeling of desiring to become a parent. No one can dismiss the joy, excitement and the strong desire to hold and cuddle your bundle of joy and live happily ever after. The plannings of how your baby will be received in the family not forgetting the baby showers that come in handy. Friends and family send the congratulatory messages to the newest parent in town.
Parenting is beautiful but unfortunately no manual can come in handy with instructions on how to raise and handle the new member in the family. The days and nights are always longer. Stress and feelings of breaking up are experienced in the few months after birth. Lack of sleep is the order of the day.
The good part is that it pays off. Parenting your children with Christian values helps to build strong families where strong societies and cultures are built from. We are living in the world with a lot of challenges and your children are not an exception as they’re prone to them.
Here are some of the things they need but won’t tell you.
1. Your marriage
When your marriage is perfect and you invest much in it, you’ll definitely have a great family. When children are born, they come along with an empty basket that needs to be filled up in all areas of their lives. You should always be at their service to provide them with your time and resources. Their future should be secured. Invest in them. When you invest in your marriage and let the children know that your marriage comes first, they’ll respect the institution.
2. Your faith and love to Christ
The adage says, “Actions speak louder than words. “Your children are likely to follow your actions more than they can listen. Which faith do you profess to? Share the love of Jesus Christ with your children. Be a role model even in the matters of Christianity.
3. Technology
In these times we are living in, technology has taken over our homes by storm. I remember when I got my second child, during feeding time and when I wanted to keep him calm as I worked. A phone always came in handy. I would allow him to play games and watch videos. The hardest thing was retrieving the phone back and erasing the mindset he had concerning the gadget. We need to put boundaries on technology. Let the children know that for their lives to be perfect they don’t need to be exposed to technology.
4. Encourage them more than you correct them
Have you ever been in a position whereby you only notice the mistakes your children are making?
Sometimes children can turn out to be chaotic, jumping up and down from the couches, fighting each other or speaking with food in their mouths disregarding all the etiquette you’ve taught them? You may feel like yelling at these little angels and put sense into their little minds. How do you respond to that? In the midst of all these shortcomings, is there a positive thing you can point out and say, “WOW, I am so proud of you!”
How often do you tell your children that you love them? I know what you’re thinking. I provide for them, take them to the best schools and I’m always there for them. They know too well that you love them but telling it to their faces makes all the difference. Spoken words are powerful. Speak positively to them and this will build them up. Stop assuming that your child knows how you feel about them. Tell them.
If you’re struggling with taming your tongue read the book of Psalm 141:3 “Set guard over my mouth Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. The Holy Spirit will always be your guide if you allow Him.
5. To know life isn’t fair
We all go through some nasty experiences in life. Let the children know that nothing comes easily in life and they need to work hard for it.
Good grades at school just doesn’t just fall into their laps, they need to work extra hard to earn them. Nothing in life is handed on a silver platter. Whatever we go through in life no matter how hard it is, it’s meant to build us make us strong and we learn from it.Romans 5:3-5 “But we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
6. To say no and protect their boundaries
We all set boundaries in all areas of our lives but the tragedy are when you set them in your own house and nothing seems to work. What happens when you tell your child not to do something that you feel isn’t right or would hurt them? Your guess is good as mine; they end up doing it.Learn to set boundaries.
Let your no be no but say it with a lot of love. These boys and girls just want to grab the attention and let you know that they are in existence lest you forgot.
7. Help them to become the best man and woman they were created to be, not who you want them to be
When we conceive, we make plans for the unborn child without regarding Gods intentions for their lives. We all want the best for our children but we end up eliminating GOD from the picture. How many people out there ended up being what God didn’t intend them to be just because somebody thought that “this suits you better than that”. Career wise, if I tell people to raise up their hands if they ended up in wrong careers just because their parents thought that Doctors are paid more than Teachers or Lawyers earn more than musicians. You’ll be surprised.
As parents, we need to nurture our children talents. Once you recognize them, the best you can do is to uphold them. Never ever make a mistake of comparing your children. It really hurts. I can very well remember back then while schooling. I did something that annoyed my mum and the worst mistake she did was to compare me with my friends and I didn’t like it. This really crushed my spirit, my self-esteem dropped to zero but I thank God I am not where I was then. Knowing Christ has helped me a great deal.
I thank God I can encourage my children to be better than what they were yesterday. I always seek guidance from God. You can do the same also. Pray and read the word of God for direction.
8. Discuss with them topics that are always avoided
Talking about sex is the hardest topic a parent can discuss with their children. They always dodge the conversation to the slightest opportunity they get. Let me ask this annoying question, whom would you want your child to discuss this with?
Children are always keen with their body parts and a boy can tell he looks different from a girl. Tell them and explain with the language they can understand. If you won’t tell them, the world is waiting to tell them as it is.Do not let your children subscribe to the patterns of the outside world.
Create a channel for conversations. Open dialogues works wonders.
9. Prayers
Pray for your children, pray with them and for them. Prayers works wonders. Some years back, my brother who’s behind me was living a life that we couldn’t understand. He could only come to visit me when he planned it and felt like seeing me.I would go for months without seeing him and this really affected me.I couldn’t get him on phone unless he called me.
I decided to involve God in it.I prayed and fasted because of him. I still do. He may not have accepted Christ as his savior but I’m sure one day God will save him. I thank God because he changed him in all areas of his life.
What does this mean to you? You guessed it right, prayers changes things.
Make a habit of praying for, with and for them. Have family devotions and you’ll experience great and mighty things. May God bless you and order your steps.
We are all aware of the growing anti-Semitism in Europe, but we fail to address the persecution of Jews at the hands of the Muslims. From ancient times the Arab world has sought to remove the existence of Jews, thus it is understandable that the Jews desired a nation of their own to escape from the hands of the Muslims.
Many anti-semitic massacres have been carried out by the Muslims for centuries:
– Year 627- In Medina, Saudi Arabia Muhammed beheads 900 Jewish males
– Year 628- In Khaybar, Saudi Arabia, 93 Jews are killed
– Year 1013- The Jews of Cordoba are slaughtered when Sulayman ibn al-Hakam attacks
– Year 1033- A Muslim leader conquers Morocco’s former capital city Fez and massacres about 6,000 Jews
– Year 1066- A Muslim mob stormed Grenada in Spain and slaughters 4,000 Jews
– Year 1090- Again in Grenada 2,000 Jews are slaughtered in another massacre
– Year 1146- The Almohads conquer Tiemcen in Algeria and slaughter any Jew that doesn’t convert to Islam
– Year 1146-The Almohads take Sijilmasa in Morocco and slaughter 150 Jews who refuse to convert
– Year 1146- The Almohads capture the Moroccan cities Fez and Marrakech and slaughter over 100,000 Jews
– Year 1232- The Jews are allowed to return to Marrakech, but this enrages local Muslims who slaughter all of them
– Year 1247- Jews were again offered Islam or death in Meknes, many were massacred
– Year 1275- Moors massacre 40 Jews in Fez
– Year 1290- The Jews of Baghdad in Iraq are massacred
– Year 1465- The entire Jewish community of Fez is massacred
– Year 1492- Abd al-Karim al-Meghili orders the destruction of Touat synagogues and massacres many Jews
– Year 1518- Ottomans rape and massacre Jews in Hebron, Israel
– Year 1736- The Jews of Algiers in Algeria are massacred
– Year 1776- The Jews of Basra in Iraq are massacred
– Year 1785- Ali Gurzi Pasha murders hundreds of Jews in Tripoli, Libya who refuse to convert to Islam
– Year 1790- Sultan Yazid orders the murder and rape of dozens of Jews in Tetuan, Morocco
– Year 1805- Muslims massacre 500 Jews in Algiers, Algeria
– Year 1815- Muslims burn 8 Jews at the stake in Algiers
– Year 1828- The Jewish community of Baghdad in Iraq are massacred
– Year 1830- The Jews of Algiers are massacred
– Year 1830- The throats of 400 Jews are slashed in Tabriz, Iran
– Year 1834- Half of the Israeli city of Safed were Jewish, but the city was subject to a vicious massacre in which Muslims raped, murdered and expelled the Jews
– Year 1839- In Mashad, Iran 36 Jews were murdered and 7 young girls kidnapped and forced to become Muslim brides
– Year 1864-1880- There are continuous pogroms against the Jews of Marrakech
– Year 1867- In Barfurush, Iran 22 Jews were murdered, with women and children being kidnapped and forced to become Muslim brides
– Year 1903- 60 Jews were slaughtered in Settat and Taza, Morocco
– Year 1907- 30 Jews were slaughtered in Casablanca, Morocco
– Year 1910- 12 Jews were slaughtered in Shiraz, Iran
– Year 1912- 42 Jews were slaughtered in Fez, Morroco
– Year 1925- Numerous Jews were massacred in Damascus, Syria
– Year 1934- In Constantinople, Algeria 34 Jews were butchered
– Year 1941- Inspired by Nazi Germany, the Muslims of Baghdad massacre 750 Jews
– Year 1945- The Tripolitania pogrom in Libya leaves 140 Jews dead
– Year 1947- 75 Jews dead after the Aleppo massacre
– Year 1947- Muslim mob slaughtered 82 Jews in Aden
This is by no means a thorough and comprehensive list of anti-semitic massacres carried out by Muslims- there were many other gruesome killings that took place. To date, over one million Jews have fled to Israel from Muslim lands.
At the UN Human Rights Council, March 20, 2017, many Muslim countries had much to say against Israel:
Palestinians- “Israel has used the worst kind of abuse, ethnic cleansing and imposing a regime of apartheid…”
Qatar- “Israel continues to exercise apartheid in Palestine which constitutes a crime against humanity.”
Sudan- “Violence and Terrorism are being exercised against the Palestinian people…”
Syria- “Violations include building apartheid walls to legitimize the theft of land and to Judaize Jerusalem…”
Bahrain- “Separation wall is an example of the apartheid policy practiced by Israel…”
Saudi Arabia- “Israel’s practices of discrimination and extremism…”
When Hillel Neuer of UN Watch took the floor to respond, he effectively silenced the U.N.: “Egypt, Iraq and the others, how many Jews live in your countries? How many Jews lived in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco? Once upon a time, the Middle East was full of Jews. Algeria had 140, 000 Jews- Algeria, where are your Jews? Egypt used to have 75, 000 Jews- where are your Jews? Syria, you had tens of thousands of Jews- where are your Jews? Iraq, you had over 135, 000 Jews- where are your Jews? Mr. President, where is the real apartheid? Why is there a U.N. Commission on the Middle East that does not include Israel? From the 1960s and the 70s, they refuse to include Israel. Where is the apartheid, Mr. President?…”
The wall that they speak of is the Israeli West Bank barrier. It is a separation barrier in the West Bank or along the Green Line. Israel says it is a security barrier against terrorism, while the Palestinians call it a racial or apartheid wall. Being South African and knowing all about apartheid (seeing as how the term originated here), I do not see that wall as an expression of apartheid. This regime was inflicted upon the people of color to remove them from areas that the Afrikaaners deemed worthy for white people alone- it was not done for security purposes. Israel, on the other hand, is trying to protect its people. Is it wrong for Israel to protect itself against those who seek its annihilation?
Recently, Hamas leaders in Gaza have offered a long-term ceasefire to Israel, which would lead to a green light for large-scale infrastructure projects and a prisoner exchange. The only reason why they are more open to discussing such a cease-fire is that they are in dire and unprecedented strategic distress. This does not sit well with me. Back in 2012, a top Hamas official, Sheik Akhmad Bahr, called for the annihilation of Jews and American alike in a sermon broadcast on Hamas’s Al-Aqsa TV. He even prayed “Oh, Allah, destroy the Jews and their supporters,” and “the Americans and their supporters.” With such a deep-seated hate for Jews, I cannot help but think that this is a strategy on their part to fool Israel into dropping their offenses and attack them at a more opportune time. People such as this would not hesitate to use any opportunity to get rid of Jews.
At the end of the day, GOD has continued to protect His people. During 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, an Iron Dome commander explained that a missile was fired from Gaza, which could have killed hundreds of Israeli civilians. The commander said, “We know where the missiles are going to land down to a radius of 200 metres. We fired two interceptor rockets. They both missed. This is very rare. I was in shock. At this point we had just four seconds until the missile lands. We had already notified emergency services to converge on the target location and had warned of a mass-casualty incident. Suddenly, Iron Dome (which calculates wind speeds among other things) shows a major wind coming from the east, a strong wind that… sends the missile into the sea. We were all stunned. I stood up and shouted, ‘There is a GOD!’ I witnessed this miracle with my own eyes. I saw the hand of GOD send that missile into the sea. If that Hamas strike had succeeded, it would have been the worst terrorist attack in Israel’s history.”
Also, Col. Ofer Winter, commander of the Givati Infantry Brigade, described a mysterious fog that favorably covered him and his troops as they advanced on an enemy position in morning light after their nighttime raid was postponed. Winter labeled the covering as “clouds of glory.”When most of the modern world is against Israel, we, as Christians, must continue to support Israel.
A psychiatrist was preparing for class and decided to take an orange with him. He began to talk to a bright young man in front and asked him, “If I squeeze this orange, what will I get?”
He looked at the Psychiatrist and answered, “Juice, of course!”
The Psychiatrist said, “Don’t you think I could squeeze apple juice from the orange?”
Laughing, he said “No.”
“What about grapefruit juice?”
He said, “Nope.”
The Psychiatrist asked again, “What would I get from this orange?”
“Orange juice, of course.”
He repeated his question, “Why? Why would I get orange juice from an orange?”
He answered, “Well, it is an orange, and that is what it has on the inside.”
The Psychiatrist nodded and said, “That’s right! Let’s think that this is not an orange, but it is you.
Someone puts pressure on you and says something you don’t like.
You get offended. Fear, bitterness, hatred, and anger come out of you. Why did this happen?”
The boy answered, “Because those things are on the inside.”
Now we have to consider what’s inside of you and me, because Matthew 15:18 says,
“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”
Jesus was squeezed and forgiveness, love, and mercy came brusting out of Him.
He taught us that regardless of people insulting, beating, humiliating, and treating Him worse than a criminal that we should afterwards show love and forgiveness! It was under the mighty impulse of love that Jesus took our place in the universe and invited the Ruler of all things to treat Him as a representative of the human family.
He identified Himself with our interests, took our guilt and its penalty, and offered in our behalf a complete sacrifice to God.
Jesus identifies His interest with ours. He represents Himself as personally affected with all that concerns us.
If we are wronged, maligned, treated with contempt, our sufferings are registered in the books of heaven as done unto Him.
If we would become like Christ and receive His fashion of character, we must in little things train the soul to daily progressive sanctification. Acts make habits and habits constitute character. There is no fear of overlooking great things, but there is peril in overlooking and undervaluing little things.
Let’s be filled with that love that comes from God, and let’s live each day by His side.
Now the question that we must ask ourselves is: “What comes out when we are squeezed?”
I want to jump right into this post to spare details that would require me to rehash feelings and memories that once left me spiritually paralyzed.
But I can’t.
These words need to be written and poured out from the aching fluid in my joints that have crippled my legs.
There was a time when I claimed my spot at the altar. It was an unspoken reverence that relished because I could safely walk forward to the front of the church. I didn’t have to worry about people staring or judging or assuming. I could kneel and figuratively lay my burdens at the feet of Jesus.
The altar is a sacred place. The rich history of it’s versatility is scattered throughout the Bible. In the church today, the altar serves as a place of prayer, a way to the pulpit, a setting for the Easter cantata, and much more. One could easily argue the functionality.
However when viewed through the broken lens of idolatry, the altar can bring pain.
When Viewed through the broken lens of idolatry, the altar can bring pain.
Taking a trip back to those times, I remember that when it was time for prayer, almost everyone in that small country church came forward. Among those left in the pews were a handful of persons that were possibly crippled by their own various diseases. At the time, my autoimmune disease was under control. I was able to walk forward, find my place, and effortlessly kneel down on the floor. It was a special moment.
As time passed by, the false doctrine that was being preached continually pierced my heart. I was under a fake conviction that I had to look and be a certain type of person for Christ to accept me. I honestly believed that if I missed church that God was watching over me in heaven with a look of deep disapproval; not taking into consideration that I couldn’t possibly attend a particular Sunday because I was puking my guts up in the bathroom. It didn’t matter.
I honestly believed that if I missed church that God was watching over me in heaven with a look of deep disapproval…
Prayer is a sacred gift that Christians are given through salvation.
In the midst of a painful divorce, I walked through the doors Ridgeview Baptist Church in hopes of finding relief from my heartache.
Not only did I find relief, I found new friends, new ministry opportunities, and most importantly, a new doctrine.
The difference in worship, preaching, and teaching was a blaring signal in my soul that I had been duped.
The love that flowed here was not from false pretense of how good I could pray or my attendance record. It was the unconditional type toward which the Bible calls all Christians.
Over time, my beliefs changed and God’s amazing grace became a thing.
Never once did I consider the words from the old hymn as I did when I realized that God’s love for me was not dependent on my physical posture at the altar.
Yes, I still think that if God is calling you toward the front of the church that you should go. I believe that it is still a beautiful response for healing, help, and encouragement.
We are to encourage one another to good works, but, working is not kneeling at the cross. Helping a sister pray through a difficult time looks more like Jesus than bent knees with a heart of idolatry. Consider the text:
First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
—————-
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left…
Jesus paid it all.
Religion has no place in the house of the Lord. Jesus’s death on the cross was the abolishment of such practices that would cause us to fall into the trap of the law.
The law smothers love. It handcuffs grace to the idea that we are good enough to save ourselves.
Because we love Jesus is the answer to those burdensome rituals that press down and squeeze life from our already bruised bodies.
I may make it to the altar again one day.
Until then, I am reassured that God sees the posture of my heart.
Religion has sawn the body of Christ into tens of thousands of different Christian churches, denominations, and organizations with many different names. However, Jesus prayed in John 17 that His body be one, even as He and the Father are one. He also wants believers to meet in His name.
There are so many organized churches that many of their names are funny. I googled “humorous church names” and found these: Angel On Fire Chapel Of Peace, Church Of The First Born, Halfway Baptist Church, Cowboy Church, Original Church Of God, Hell Hole Swamp Baptist Church, Fire Baptized Holiness Church Of God Of The Americas, Old German Baptist Brethren New Conference, and Affirming Pentecostal Church International.
Babylon Bee even got in on the action by posting some pretty funny fictional names for churches: Holy Grounds (a coffee house church), Jiffy Church, Any Greek Word + Church, and The Church That’s All About You.
Perhaps it is time to get back to Jesus’ vision for His body. Instead of identifying ourselves as a part of a fraction of the body of Christ, let’s just be part of the eternal body of Christ that is not divided into religious organizations. Let’s recognize our oneness with every Christ-bearer around the world. Let’s receive anyone who has Jesus living in her/him as our Christian sister or brother! Need help in doing that?
When someone says that they are a Christian…what exactly does that mean? Do they believe in Jesus as the Christ? Is He their Savior or could their knowledge and belief be based on things that they have heard on TV or maybe at church? What about the Trinity? It is never mentioned in the Bible so where did that idea come from?
All of these questions are good questions and they can be answered, up to a point, by reading and studying God’s Word. The first question about being a Christian is actually the toughest because there are many people who claim to be Christians even though they only attend church on special occasions. Granted, being a Christian is not dependent upon church attendance but you should want to have fellowship with fellow believers. Anyone can claim that they are a Christian just by saying so and many do just that. But the reality of it is that a Christian should be changed in their heart not just by knowing about Jesus or that they went down the aisle one Sunday or on a revival night.
Anyone can walk down the aisle and say a few words which can lead others to believe that they are sincere in their belief, but if their life doesn’t change then those were just words and nothing more. Being a Christian and serving the God and Creator of the universe is a change which is complete and whole. Meaning that you won’t go back to the life you had before, you won’t do the things which you were doing prior to becoming a Christian. If you haven’t gone “all in” with Jesus then your claim to Christianity is false.
Our God is awesome and He loves us deeply otherwise He would not have sent Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins.
The Trinity is referenced in the gospels not so much as the “Trinity” but by description. When Jesus was baptized God the Father spoke and said He was His Son in whom He was pleased and the Holy Spirit came down in the form and shape of a dove and rested upon Jesus. In this, you have the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit of the Trinity. God proved that Jesus was and is His Son by the resurrection after His death on the cross which paid our sin debt in full, all that we have to do is believe and repent of our old life and walk with Him from this point on. Amen
I crave comfort. I like chicken and dumplings, biscuits and gravy, chocolate chip cookie dough, latte’s and smoothies, and my grandmother’s strawberry shortcake in the summertime. I like to feel like the energizer bunny with the ability to keep up with my rambunctious crew. I like to have harmonious relationships where everybody gets along and knows you by name. I like a good book on a not-too-hot kinda day, while sitting on the edge of the pool.
I like boat rides.
Sunsets.
Chic-flicks.
Yep, I like them all.
Oh, the sweetness of comfort…it just feels gooooood.
However, when I look at 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 (please read along), I quickly discover that my interpretation of the source of comfort differs from God’s point of view. Suffering precedes comfort. Affliction before blessing. It sounds like God got it all wrong.
“who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” 2 Cor. 4-5
I must constantly remind myself that suffering is part of the blessing. In the midst of my difficulties, I draw near to God. If I never walked through hard times, there are parts and pieces of God that I would never experience and come to know first-hand. It is through affliction that I come to know Him more. He knows suffering better than I do, and He is holding out His hand asking me to come along.
He is the God of all comfort
There is a great promise here: God is the God of ALL comfort. His comfort is available right now. He doesn’t hold time-constraints or limitations on it. His warranty doesn’t run out in 5 years. He tells us we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings so that we can share abundantly in comfort too.
If I am brutally honest…I am thankful for the hardships in my life. Although I don’t want to repeat them, I can say that through them God has drawn me closer nigh. Here’s an excerpt from my recent journal:
I feel like I am in a water raft going down a muddy, uncharted, turbulent river. The course before me seems impossible with all of its bumps and turns. My heart longs to jump overboard; however, I know that the riverbank is too steep and rocky. I could never escape alive. I find myself struggling to keep going and instead, put up a fight. I’m not ready to receive comfort. I want to linger here a little while. Stew a bit. Ponder the situation. Try to fix it on my own. Maybe I’ll start a petition, or loiter in the restroom. Hold a picket sign. Cry a bit. I really don’t want to move on.
But as I glance over my shoulder, I see that Jesus is my guide. He is charting my course and holding me steady, ensuring that I don’t completely drown. He tells me to keep my eyes steadfast ahead. He’s got me covered before and behind. And so, I will keep on paddling. Keep going. He is always faithful. He promises to do it again and again!
“He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.” 2 Cor. 1:10
Keep your eyes on Him. He will deliver you….and when He does, you will be able to help someone else along.
Jesus is clear. Jesus hates hypocrites. Jesus calls it out all the time. My contempt allows me to ignore its reality in my life. I must change my mind (aka repent). This is imperative!
Hypocrisy is an outward pretense masking an inner reality. Jesus condemns hypocrisy, especially in matters of faith. Followers of Jesus are to express our commitment to God in our words and our deeds, as well as in our inner motivation. There should always be alignment of the heart, the mind and my actions.
Knowing that, why do I pretend?
The Greek word is ὑÀοκÃÃŽ¹Ã”žÃŽ®Ã”š (hupÃ…kritÄ“s, hoop-ok-ree-tace) meaning an actor under an assumed character (stage-player). Many times, I am acting. I know it. Jesus knows it. I am guessing others know it as well.
My nature, along with all of us, is one that is fallen and I constantly miss God’s goal (aka sin). I try to cover that up by appearing to be a good person. I am not. You are not. We are not.
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.” Mark 7:21–22 (NASB)
Jeremiah 17:9 (NASB) — The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick. Who can understand it?
Hosea 10:2 (NASB) — Their heart is faithless. Now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will break down their altars and destroy their sacred pillars.
There is good news!
Jesus has redeemed me and freed me from my deceitful heart. I am a new creation, pure and holy.
Hebrews 10:22 (NASB) — Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
James 3:17 (NASB) — But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
Waiting for the right person to come by can be frustrating. Over a seemingly unending period of waiting time, one will tend to compromise. Please, refrain from doing that, do not ever settle. It’s better for you to be lonely now than be with someone who would not lead you closer to Jesus.
I’ve thought up of 6 signs that a man is worth waiting for. And while everyone has different criteria, I believe, with my whole heart, these 6 qualities you should never compromise. Here goes :
1. He puts Jesus before anything else.
Loves Jesus like crazy, reads the bible and lives by it, prays as if there is no tomorrow. This quality is an absolute must. Ladies, if you desire for a Joshua 24 : 15 kind of family, you would want someone who will lead you and your children to Jesus.
2. He treats his family well.
Does he honor his parents? (Exodus 12 : 10) Guide his siblings? How he acts as a son in his current family is probably how he’s going to act as a husband when he owns a family. Especially, look at how he treats his mom, that is probably how he is going to treat his future wife. Look for a man who treats his mom like a queen.
3. Love others crazily and selflessly puts others before himself.
A living embodiment of 1 Corinthians 13 : 4-8 who lives out Mark 12 : 31. Sacrificially goes to any length to lovingly help out anyone.
4. Humble and has a teachable heart.
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – 1 Peter 5 : 5
No one is perfect – no matter how godly a man is, he’s still imperfect and is bound to make mistakes. Look for a man who is humble enough to listen to you and is willing to be corrected and learn from his mistakes.
5. He controls his tongue.
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. – Proverbs 21 : 23
He has to be able to tame his tongue. Whatever comes out of his mouth should always be “such as is good for building up” (Ephesians 4 : 29). Don’t go for a man who hurts others with his mouth, even if he passes it as a joke (I’m heavily guilty of this). Blessing and cursing should never come from the same mouth (James 3 : 10). A man who can’t lead his own tongue will not be any better at leading a family.
6. He is goal oriented.
Go for someone who plans out things, has a goal in life and would work hard to reach that goal, or simply put, someone who leads himself well. You need someone who will be able to cast out God-given vision for his family and lead his family towards it and if he can’t lead himself, he won’t be able to do that.
Finding a man who meets all these ‘requirements’ is going to be really hard. I myself, am not even a close picture of this list. But it is better to set the bar high. Stay faithful, keep praying and shape yourself to be a woman worth finding. The right guy will come along, trust me. I’m no Joshua Harris and I’m inexperienced in this area, but I really pray that this list will keep you from dating the wrong people. You’re a princess of the most high King, you deserve a prince.
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6 NASB)
Paul considered that his imprisonment was from the Lord. He wasn’t bitter, but he was concerned for those Believers with whom he had interacted, to walk in a manner worthy of their calling. Why is this? I believe that it is because Paul could no longer walk among them. God had imprisoned Paul for the purpose of writing the Epistles which would ultimately become a large portion of the New Testament. Now Paul didn’t know that while he was writing them. Perhaps his imprisonment perplexed him, made him feel trapped and useless a bit. But Paul did not become bitter and began to do his “walking in a manner worthy,” through the writing of letters to all the Churches he had helped establish.
God has a purpose for all the happenings in our lives, whether we are walking in freedom, or we feel imprisoned within our circumstances. God has a perfect plan. God promises us that He will work all things together for our good and calls us to love Him and trust His purpose for our lives (Romans 8:28). There were times that I felt imprisoned at home with three little ones under my feet, but I knew I was called to raise them up. Looking back now, I see how important that really was, and what an awesome privilege it was. I work in a learning center with young children now, and I see mothers every day, who wish they could stay home with their little ones. I was blessed, and enjoyed that blessing immensely, even on the days I felt trapped. I love what Henry Blackaby says about our circumstances in his book Experiencing God.
“Never allow your heart to question God’s love. Settle it on the front end of your quest to know Him and experience Him: He loves you. Every dealing He has with you is an expression of His love for you. God would not be God if He expressed Himself in any way other than perfect love! What you believe about God’s love for you will be reflected in how you relate to Him. If you really believe God is love, you will also accept that His will is always best.”’- Henry T. Blackaby, Experiencing God
God was using Paul’s imprisonment, to help us learn to walk in a manner worthy. If Paul had not been imprisoned, he would have just gone to the Churches in person and shared his heart. Because of his imprisonment, we have the writings that God accomplished through Paul to teach us how to live the life of faith we have, and to glorify God in all we are.
So yes, at times we are all “the prisoners of the Lord,” for a purpose, and that purpose cannot necessarily be known while we walk the earth. Trust God in your circumstances. He has reason for all He does, and He promises to work it all for good, as we love and trust Him and His purposes for our lives.
In 2017, Open Doors released their World Watch List (WWL). The findings and trends noted by Open Doors are both shocking and grim. The modern persecution of Christians has risen to an all-time high, and the primary cause of this- Islamic extremism- now has a rival: ethnic nationalism.
The WWL data is compiled from reports spanning November 1, 2015, to October 31, 2016. The list is audited by the International Institute for Religious Freedom.
In order to rank the top 50 countries where Christians face the most persecutions, the pressures faced by Christians in five spheres of life- church, family, private, community and national- are examined, as well as levels of religiously motivated violence. In 25 years of noting the political and societal restrictions on religious freedom experienced by Christians throughout the world, Open Doors researchers identified 2016 as the “worst year yet”. It is now 2018, can you imagine the levels of persecutions happening? Many of us are ignorant of the atrocities that are being committed against Christians.
Approximately 215 million Christians experience higher, very high or extreme persecution. For 14 consecutive years, North Korea remains the most dangerous place to be Christian.
Islamic extremism remains the main reason behind persecution, responsible for initiating oppression and conflict in 35 out of the 50 countries on the 2017 list.
Ethnic nationalism is fast becoming a driving force behind persecutions. In Asia, it seems to be a common thing for vulnerable governments to gain quick support by scapegoating Christians. Israel seems to be another state in the role of a scapegoat.
The most violent country has been Pakistan, which rose to No. 4 on the list for a level of violence surpassing that of northern Nigeria. The killings of Christians in Nigeria increased to more than 62 %.
The worst increase has been Mali, which has moved up on the list from being No. 44 to 32.
Asia is a cause for concern with their persecutions rising sharply in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Laos, and Bhutan.
Open Doors states, “ In many countries, governmental raids of suspected Christian households increased, certain Christian books have been banned and the membership requirement to remain a legal church doubled, resulting in many churches to be deemed illegal overnight.”
Over the past 25 years, only three countries have topped the list: North Korea (2002-2017), Saudi Arabia (1993-1995; 1998-2001), and Somalia (1996-1997).
The top 10 nations where it is most dangerous and difficult to practice the Christian faith for 2017 are:
North Korea
Somalia
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Sudan
Syria
Iraq
Iran
Yemen
Eritrea
Persecution is defined by Open Doors as “any hostility experienced as a result of identification with Christ.” They also state that Christians continue to remain one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world. It stated that “Christians throughout the world continue to risk imprisonment, loss of home and assets, torture, beheadings, rape and even death as a result of their faith.”
“The Open Doors World Watch List is the most accurate, thorough and intensive research available on the persecution of Christians,” said David Curry, president, and CEO of Open Doors USA. “It calculates not only the deaths reported in the news but also persecution at a grassroots level, where family-to-family persecution is tracked. The 25-year research shows where the most unstable areas for Christians have historically been and, in many countries, remain.”
Since this list was published, persecution of Christians has risen to astronomical levels. Places like California are trying to control Christianity, many people are voicing their hatred for Christians in the western world and because of this (and other factors), we are facing the Great Falling Away of the church. Christianity has become synonymous with violence, aggression, hatred, fear, and doubt. This is when we, as those who still enjoy some freedom in expressing our faith, should show our fellow brothers and sisters across the world that we love them and that we are praying for them. If we need to send some sort of provision such as money, food or even provide shelter, and we are in the position to do it, we should do so. We cannot profess to walk in love but ignore the plight of those being persecuted. They may believe that we have forgotten them or choose to ignore what is happening to them. For the time being, many of us do experience freedom to practice our faith openly, but there will come a time when we will not be able to, and that will be a dark day indeed. However, even in the most forsaken places, Jesus continues to shine His Light, bringing the lost out of the darkness and revealing the truth as well as His love for them.
“Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of My name, for they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates Me hates my Father as well” (John 15:20-23).
“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O LORD, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ Then white robes were given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed” (Revelation 6:9-11).
The persecution is only going to get worse. It is time that we stand as the Church, full of faith, courage, obedience, and strength from our Heavenly Father. Put on your armor of GOD, bringing your prayers and petitions before the LORD. It is time for fasting, a time for prayer warriors, a holy army and a people who seek the LORD with all of their hearts and strength. Read GOD’S Word, see what He has to say to you as His people- do not be destroyed by the schemes of the devil due to your lack of knowledge. Beloved, draw near to God with a pure heart, and He will draw near to you.
Some people think helpful advice is all about knowing things and saying a lot. To the contrary, you can know little yet give solid advice and with sparing words you can help a person greatly.
Here are 4 ways to give helpful advice.
Wait to be asked.
Most of the time, unsolicited advice is not helpful. It is ineffective especially when a person is not ready to hear what you have to say. To some, you may be viewed as a meddler who knows nothing better to do. For example, stories are told of those who try to mediate a conflict they have no business involving themselves with. Proverbs 26:17 has this to say about that: “Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.”
Have the connection.
Sometimes, you can perceive things other people can’t. In a church setting, this can both be an asset and a liability. If you feel burdened to give advice or correction to someone who is not close to you, a direct approach may be unhelpful. That brother or sister may get discouraged or offended. Find someone connected with that person whom you can talk with to handle the matter or to give clearer insight. Or better, have that person introduce and connect you to this individual you want to give advice or correction to. Pray while you establish a connection. Pray and watch for the soonest opportunity to bring the matter up.
Have the qualification or experience.
Has it ever happened to you? To have someone giving you advice about something they have no experience or qualification for? People with no children advising a mother about raising her kids properly; people who’ve had an easy life teaching those in hardship about perseverance. Indeed, with supernatural enablement, God can teach us things through just about anyone. However, most of the time, God chooses to use those who’ve undergone the same things as we are undergoing to get us through the humps and bumps of life. 2 Corinthians 1:4 talks about how God “comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
You may have ideas that can help and you may present them to the person in need of advice. But better yet, understand your limitations and find someone with experience who can help the individual better than you can.
Focus more on remedies, not faults and failures.
It may have happened to you. You’ve come to a friend for comfort and clarity only to leave the conversation heartbroken and more shaken. When you are invested in the person, it may be hard to keep your emotions in control but you need to. While it may be right to say, “I told you so.” and blame the person for his failings, what’s helpful is to redirect the person towards taking steps to resolve his problems.
For instance, instead of rubbing it in by saying, “You are such a spendthrift. You really don’t value money at all.” Scrap those two sentences and get your friend to take out a paper and pen and visually determine what are necessities and luxuries based on the limited funds that he or she has.
Historians will probably call our era “the age of anxiety” as most people live their lives “crucified between two thieves — the regrets of yesterday and the anxieties of tomorrow.”
Chronic worrying (often referred to as anxiety) can affect your daily life so much that it interferes with your work, appetite, relationships, sleep and reduces your overall quality of life.
But chronic worrying and anxiety are mental habits that can be broken. Many have sought counsel from the word of God when faced with worry and anxiety, and for good reason. The Bible contains a great number of stories and quotes that remind and encourage us to trust in the love and power of God in order to find peace.
Here’s what the Bible has to say about our top worries and how to overcome them:
1. Regarding Finances
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 says, “You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”
How to sustain our needs and that of our family is a valid concern but this should not turn to worry. Scriptures here remind us to stay reliant on God, to hope in Him, and to acknowledge that provision comes from God and that He will continue to supply our need. There may be delays but trusting in the proven goodness of God assures me that He will come through for me.
2. Regarding the Future
Matthew 6:25-34 discusses our worries about the future: food, life, clothing, and the like. In the passage, Jesus reminds us that our Father values us. He knows our needs. He provides. Jesus reminds us that worrying never improves nor changes anything.
Ensuring a good future is a valid concern but this should not turn to worry. Scriptures here remind us to have confidence in our God, to have faith in His love and capability to take care of us. Furthermore, Scriptures here discourages us about over worrying. In verse 34, Jesus says, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” He means that we should not overburden ourselves with concerns way before their due time.
3. Regarding Life and Health
Acts 17:26-28 says, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being..”
Psalm 139:15-16 says, “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Our health and wellbeing are valid concerns but these should not turn to worry. God has appointed us to a certain lifespan here on earth and for a good reason. When our purpose is accomplished, we will leave this world for a better place. We will trade the companionship of loved ones we must temporarily leave behind for the presence and companionship of our Father God. Should sickness be part of God’s plan, we must thru pain and suffering keep trusting that He has a purpose for everything. And, like Paul, may we desire to point everything to the glory and honor of God, even in the midst of great difficulties.
4. Safety
Psalm 32:7 says, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Deuteronomy 23:14 says, “For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you.”
Joshua 24:17 says, “He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled.”
Psalm 4:8 says, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Safety is a valid concern but this should not turn to worry. God is our protector and deliverer. He keeps us from harm and evil. He actively safeguards the lives of His children. We should enjoy a peaceful sleep knowing that God stands awake keeping our homes safe. Even when perils come, may we keep the faith as Paul, Abraham, and other believers who have lived before we did. They trusted in a proven God. He is good. He has a purpose. He will work all things for our good. Even when death comes, we know it is part of God’s plan. Our exit from this world is our entrance into heaven, and God counts that moment precious because we will finally be with Him. (Psalm 116:15)
Did You Know?
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.
People with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.
God works in mysterious ways sometimes! He will use who or what He deems crucial in order for us to learn a specific lesson.I know I sure did learn a very important lesson, two years ago, when I was at my lowest. At that time, the chronic pain I was suffering from was making me unable to walk very far and I had to start using a cane for most of my walking around. I was very depressed and I was having a hard time staying positive. I was praying, studying the Bible but my heart, felt heavy and I was discouraged.
I was in a place of doubts, more regarding my capabilities, not God’s of course! I was wondering if I was doing enough and I let those doubts control my thoughts which did not help at all to keep me hopeful. I felt very lonely since my dear husband was working but also trying is best to spend as much time as possible with me, I still found myself alone pretty often and it was making me crazy.
One day, I had the great idea of getting a dog! Did I know anything about having a dog? No. But I thought for sure, this would solve my problems and my husband being so comprehensive, agreed.
The next week, I go get this cute little puppy that I named Chloe! That poodle would eventually rock my world! You see, I’m an only child and I never was able to have children, so right then and there it should give you a clue of how much maternal instincts I had! After one week, I was ready to bring her back. After 1 month, I was lacking sleep to a degree that made me wish I could have enough strength to get to the nearest bridge and jump off of it!
My Dog Brought Me Closer to God
My Dog Brought Me Closer to God
My Dog Brought Me Closer to God
After one year, even after watching countless hours of training videos, of having the best food for her, reading the best books, going to a trainer and being available to her 24/7, I could no longer deal with that stress. I was already at my wits’ end with the chronic pain being unbearable, the sleepless nights, and the anxiety was at its worst. I did what I thought was right and put her for adoption. Yes, I know how you feel”¦I hated myself too at that point!
I’m pretty certain it’s exactly at that moment that God intervened. Well, He must have been there for a long time, I just didn’t realize it, I was too busy being stressed out!
Our dear God, whom I love so much, had a plan. He was going to teach me a very profound lesson on perseverance, love, and courage! And so He did.
After receiving that call from that lady who was going to adopt Chloe, I spend the last 2 days crying like a baby, thinking I was the meanest woman on this planet! Who could be this cold as too get rid of a small dog, that I had wanted all along, so what was wrong with me?Chloe knew something was wrong because, for the first time in one year, she became very still, calm, and could not stop looking at me, more “staring” at me and wanted to always be very close to me. A lot of staring was done on her part. I could not get why she suddenly changed so fast and so much. So, I cried even more, thinking this lady was now coming in a few hours. I started praying so hard, asking God to guide me, to help me make the right decision. I was so convinced that I was not the mother Chloe needed. I thought for sure, that’s why I couldn’t have any children: I would’ve been a miserable mommy! Oh, I was going downhill and fast!
The time came and went, without any signs of the lady. I called her twice, messaged her twice and we stood by the door waiting for hours, thinking she would eventually arrive. She never did.
That night, Chloe and I became best friends. I totally opened my heart to her and I think she did the same. I’m telling you, I could feel God’ presence with us, and I understood what He wanted for me and why He decided to send me Chloe. I now had to take courage and keep the faith we would become a great team.It was a question of faith: In God, in Chloe and in me!
You see, I was so busy convincing myself, I could certainly not be a good “mother” to this dog, since my mom was in no way a good role model, that I was preventing God to use Chloe to fill something in my life and more so, to enable me to play a role I had never played before. This role I would have to play it with confidence, love, and perseverance.This would in the long run, show me, I could care for someone properly and that I would’ve been a good mother! I needed to get in touch with that part of me that had not been activated. Yes, it’s just a dog! For a lot of people, animals are “just” animals and they don’t really care for them but for me, Chloe has become my daughter, my hope in a better me. I was able to take courage and start taking care of her with less anxiety and with more calmness. She was, of course, feeling all my stress, and I was surely stressing her out! But, God filled me with something I did not know I could have and I have been enjoying it for the last year.
Now, my dog and I, have a great relationship. She loves me so much, it’s unbelievable. She understands me very quickly and when my health is not at its best, she never leaves my side. She cuddles and stays with me for hours without asking anything in return except a few hugs and kisses which I gladly give her.
I did not understand how God sometimes works. He does what He has to do, so we can learn our lesson and become closer to Him in the long run. If it takes a dog to do it; He will get a dog and the next thing you know, you are buying dog’s clothes which you specifically said you would never buy. You find yourself staring at those beautiful brown eyes and you get happy just seeing that little dog running around without a care in the world.
The day God brought me to Chloe, I embarked on a very hard journey. But that journey permitted me to discover myself and also to transform my attitude. To start thinking that “I could” instead of thinking that “I couldn’t”!
So, next time, God brings in your life, something or someone, you did not expect, don’t be surprised if your life gets thrown upside down for a while. It’s part of His plan anyway. We often need to be shaken up a bit, to finally be able to properly understand the lesson.
A little “shaken up” does a body good sometimes! Even more so, if our Believed Father, is doing the shaking!
Anyone who says the Christian life is unadventurous hasn’t hung out much with the Apostle Paul. You can feel the tension rising as he goes to bat for the things Jesus has done in his life. You can hear him momentarily go off-roading in order to defend the message of the Gospel and pursue those whom he loves. Let’s not forget–Christianity is not meant to be a bunch of “do’s and don’t’s”–it’s meant to be relational!
The false teachers of this day were masquerading as image bearers of Jesus. They were Christian-fakers. They could talk the talk. They were “spiritual”…but not Christlike. They had head knowledge…but not heart. Take a closer look at how Paul describes them: “You have such admirable tolerance for impostors who rob your freedom, rip you off, steal you blind, put you down—even slap your face! I shouldn’t admit it to you, but our stomachs aren’t strong enough to tolerate that kind of stuff (v.20–MSG).”
From a distance, it appears obvious that these leaders did not have the best interest of others in mind. They were selfish and wrongly motivated. However, it is so easy to get entangled with others (even in the church) who persuasively influence you or impact your thinking. When you are looking for a place to belong and people to accept you…it is surprising what you will put up with. It may take some personal introspection to examine your friendships and relationships in order to determine whether or not they are Christ-centered.
What are the characteristics of a godly leader, mentor, or friend? Ask yourself…
What word best describes the other person: arrogance or humility?
Do they tear you down, or build you up?
Do they talk over you, putting you in your place? Or do you consider them a place of refuge and comfort?
Do they brag about their self-accomplishments? Or, their weakness that was made strong in Jesus?
Do they want to hurry you on out the door? Or are they patient with you, filled with grace?
Do they make every problem “your” problem? Or, do you find them relatable and human, willing to put themselves in your shoes?
Do they point you to Jesus above everything else?
Paul was a committed leader who was willing to endure incredible hardship and suffering in order to pursue the heart of the ones he loved. He leveraged his talents, abilities, knowledge, lineage, education, and career to steer the believers back to Jesus. We need more people like this today! People who are willing to take risks for others. People who will humbly take a stand, regardless of the fallout. People who are fearless faith-walkers to defend the truth.
Why is it necessary to stand up for the truth? Why do we find it so difficult to do so?
