You ain't seen nothin' yet!

Hello and welcome to the blog today. We're on week 3 of our lessons for longsuffering. See the previous posts here if you need to get up to speed. Last week we discussed persecution. This week, we'll discuss more about persecution.

Here's what God's word says:

Matthew 10:16-23
¹⁶ “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. ¹⁷ But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. ¹⁸ You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. ¹⁹ When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. ²⁰ For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. ²¹ “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. ²² And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. ²³ When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel. [Emphasis mine]

This scripture puts the scripture of dressing in the full armor of God into better perspective. I dunno bout you... but... I don't want to be fighting in my skivvies (underwear). Or another expression; "I don't want to be caught with my pants down". All jokes aside!

Verses 21-22 sounds pretty scary. Everyone will be betraying each other. All nations will hate you! And just because we are followers of Jesus! I love this next part: But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. Backing up to verse 16... we're told to be shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. Eghh Uhhmmm [clearing my throat]. We better wise up, don't you think?

When you are put up on trial before the courts will you cower and deny Jesus? Or will you stand firm in your faith and take the opportunity to share Jesus? Because it says right in His word that it won't be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. We're but vessels for God's will. Are you ready, willing and able to be God's vessel to spread the Gospel no matter the cost as long as it's for the furtherance of The Kingdom? I am... I say "bring it on"! Won't you join me on this journey?

Prayer: Dear Father God, I pray that we Jesus followers would step up and be used of You in this battle to share You with the world. Thank You Father God for using me to share You to those who pass by my way. I pray that I am suited up and ready for this battle. Thank You for Your salvation and a home in glory. In Jesus' name, amen.

Persecution & Suffering

Hello and welcome to the blog this day. Last week we started a new word: Longsuffering. This week we'll take a closer look into longsuffering. Come along for the journey.

Longsuffering covers a lot of ground. Today I'll focus on persecution and suffering. In the history of biblical days there was much persecution in the name of Jesus Christ. Is it still happening today? Of course. You've heard and seen stories about missionaries who were imprisoned and mistreated. I believe the biggest and most major type of persecution going on in America is how the public rights are being taken away. No praying in school, no Bible or sharing faith in school. No public display of the ten commandments and a whole host of stuff I am unable to begin to imagine.

How many of you are persecuted for your faith today? Sure we have free speech. I sometimes wonder how free it really is. High School athletes get kicked out of school for proclaiming Jesus. There's so much I don't think I can cover it all. I think you get the idea.

What does God's word say?

1 Corinthians 4:12
And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

Philippians 1:29-29
²⁹ For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

1 Peter 3:13-16
¹³ And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." ¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ¹⁶ having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

Matthew 5:10-12, 43-44
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 ¹¹ "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
⁴³ "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 15
⁷ 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. ¹⁵ For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Well, that's a lot of God's word there on persecution and suffering. We're to rejoice and be exceeding glad because our reward will be great in Heaven when we endure for Jesus' sake. Afterall, look at what HE went through; suffered, bled and died, rising again to save our backsides from an eternity in torment. Standing for Jesus is the least I can do in thanks for what HE did for me and you.

This is where we need and must rely on the Holy Spirit. There's no way we can go this alone in our flesh. The flesh is weak. My flesh is weak. As God's word says in Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I've trusted this verse for many many years. I will continue to trust God to provide my endurance through this race. I stand firm. Clad in my armor of God ready for battle against the adversary. Will you join me?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, Father God, Holy Spirit, I lift up myself as well as my readers to You as we face a race of endurance for Your sake. I pray that we will proclaim Your salvation and bring lost souls to You. Thank You for Your word and promises that never fail us. Watch over us and make our armor of God so strong no weapon formed against us can penetrate it. You are the Victory. Praise Your Holy Name. In Jesus' name, amen.

Longsuffering [20100405]

Hello and happy Monday. Welcome to the blog. Today marks the start of a new word from my list. Come along on the journey and see what's in store.

The month of April I will be focusing on longsuffering. What the bible says about it and how it applies to our life. Today we'll start off with the definition and history of longsuffering.

Definition of longsuffering: long and patient endurance of injury, trouble, or provocation: years of long-suffering and illness.

So, as you can see in the definition it involves more than just being patient. It's a long endurance. Hence, "longsuffering". How many of you can say you do good at longsuffering? I haven't! Only God knows how impatient I've been in this department. I'm so grateful for HIS grace and forgiveness to see me through.

Now, the Int'l Standard Bible Encyclopedia (history of long-suffering) says this:

• long-suf'-er-ing ('erekh 'appayim; makrothumia):

  The words 'erekh 'appayim, translated longsuffering, mean literally, "long of nose" (or "breathing"), and, as anger was indicated by rapid, violent breathing through the nostrils, "long of anger," or "slow to wrath." Click here to read more.
  

I find the history of words fascinating. After reading that; how many of you can that you're slow to anger? I haven't been. Sometimes, I need a swift kick in the pants to be reminded by God to slow my roll.

So, now, what does God's word say? Let's take a peek.

2 Corinthians 6:4-10
⁴ But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, ⁵ in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; ⁶ by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, ⁷ by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, ⁸ by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; ⁹ as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Ephesians 4:1-3
¹ I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, ³ endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Colossians 3:12-13
¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

2 Peter 3:8-9
⁸ But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. ⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

[Emphasis mines]

Click here --> Matthew Henry to read what he says.

Um, I think I'm in big trouble. What about you? God's word also calls for us to endure each other and to be forgiving of each other. It seems it all comes down to obedience and forgiveness just as we've seen before. God is mighty patient of us. See in v.9 of 2 Peter 3. He keeps His promises. He's not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

HE's waiting patiently. How long will HE have to wait... for you? I know HE's really been waiting for quite some time... according to human standards. But, also in that same passage above, His timing of a day is like that of a thousand years.

I don't know about you, but, I'm not going to live a thousand years. I may only live one more day though. So might you. I thank God for His forgiveness and the gift of salvation.

How longsuffering are you? Surrender your will to God and allow the Holy Spirit to flood your soul. He will be your guide and help you to be longsuffering.

Prayer: Dear Father God, I pray for each of my readers to surrender their will to You and that they would be longsuffering in Your name. I pray that I would be more-so longsuffering for You. Thank You for Your forgiveness and salvation. In Jesus' name, amen.

Until next time. Happy Monday!