Early this morning I posted my Final Phase article to Forthright Magazine: “The opportunities of life and time, and why we don’t pursue them.” Among other things, I said: Continue reading
These items slipped through my fingers
Tag: persecution
God encountered opposition to his plan early on in the beginning of the world. We do not know when the devil made his choice against the Lord and began his work to derail humanity, but we see him in the Garden of Eden. Today, the father of lies continues his efforts. He uses people to speak against the divine will and to persecute his people. God knows this and will bring all to justice. Glory to God for his work that uses even evil to bring forth good for his children!
Action: Suffer
READ: “For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him” Phil 1.29.
THINK: Suffering for Christ is an experience as basic to the disciple as believing in him. Granted translates the verb to give grace, a positive act on God’s part. (“God has given you a special gift” WE.) He who flees to avoid suffering for the kingdom flees from discipleship, 1 Pet 2.21ff. Suffering as a Christian is our glory, 1 Pet 4.12-19. He who fails to confess/preach Christ for fear of persecution will not be confessed/claimed by him in the judgment, Mt 10.21-39. Continue reading
Some people will laugh at you, Mt 9.24. Others will ignore you, Mt 9.30-31. Still others will accuse you of being evil, Mt 9.34.
Like the Lord Jesus Christ, keep doing what you were called to do, Mt 9.35-38.
Devout men made loud lamentation over Stephen
The whys and the wherefores do not belong to man, but to God. Our restricted vision questions the Almighty, but his plan is so much greater than a specific place or death or storm or persecution. Continue reading
5 lessons from a single prayer request
Remember that Paul and Silas went scurrying from Thessalonica because of persecution for having preached Christ. But their experience in that city would not be exceptional. So he writes back to them: Continue reading
Luke, this is your destiny
“Luke, this is your destiny.” So said Darth Vader to his son Luke Skywalker, in the film “Star Wars.” But Luke resisted, somehow, that destiny. Christians also have a destiny, but this one can’t be avoided: Continue reading
‘Punched for actually having sincere beliefs’
“It was amazing,” he said. “You get punched for actually having sincere beliefs.”
So said Congressman and former presidential candidate Ron Paul, amazed at a rare political move on the part of Republican leaders in the American House of Representatives, punishing those committee members who voted on principle.
Even after so many years in public service, Mr. Paul seemed to be amazed at the move. Continue reading
Jesus tells us our future
Some people don’t tell patients when they are diagnosed with terminal illness. They don’t want the last days to be painful. They think ignorance brings peace.
Knowledge is power. Knowing what will happen beforehand allows one to be prepared. To remain strong. Continue reading
Poem: Faithful to the point of death
Faithful to the Point of Death
by J. Randal Matheny © 2011
Revelation 2:10
Faithful to the point of death,
Of dying for the glorious Name,
Confessing with expiring breath,
To stand before the Lord without shame,
Let this of me be said,
“He lives though he be dead.”
You’re welcome to read this in a class or sermon, publish it in a bulletin or other print publication. Please don’t post it elsewhere on the Internet. Just link to it here. An UPLift offering.