Colossians 4:18 "In Chains"

Colossians 4:18.

"I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you." NIV

Many of us feel as if we are bound up in chains. The stresses and pressures of life imprison us in a cell of duty, routine, deadlines, demands, failures, disappointments, and even by some of the things that actually bring us joy like friends and family. We can feel like we are a foot shorter carrying the weight of the world on our backs. And then we read this simple line, "Remember my chains."

Believers all around the world are in chains for Christ -- physical, emotional, or spiritual. They have done nothing wrong except to proclaim Jesus as Lord. Their lives are a jumble of uncertainty as they strive to serve the Lord and hide from the authorities. Some have been restrained in the physical battle by actually chains. Their lives are reduced to a small dark cell. They are left to simply pray and remember the Scripture they have learned. Each breath they take will be the one to leads them into another day of torture or to eternity. They are the persecuted ones.

The daily grind of living holds no comparison to the chains of persecution. My life is a breeze compared to theirs, yet I'm also challenged by them. Do I do enough for the Father? Why am I blessed to live in a country where I can worship freely? Why am I able to bow my head to pray in a restaurant without fear of being arrested? And do I live out the privileges of such a free faith to its fullest?

Lord, forgive me for complaining about the times I think my life is too complicated or frustrating. Help me to remember those who are truly suffering for Your Kingdom.

Further Thoughts:

1. What does Scripture say about suffering for Christ?
2. Do you feel like you are bogged down with life? Many people are suffering real pain -- emotional, physical, spiritual. But most of us others are just whiners. Click here and read about believers really suffering.
3. Pray today for those who are in chains for Christ.

1 Peter 4:12-19 "Shining Sufferers"

Read 1 Peter 4:12-19.

"If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." NIV

I don't receive insults for being a Christian because I am doing it wrong. I don't receive insults because Christianity is not the way. I don't receive insults because I'm too much of a judgmental, right-wing, conservative fundamentalist. I receive insults because I have the Spirit of glory and of God resting on me. Isn't that an awesome thought? The enemy recognizes God's Spirit on me and he's ticked off. He will do whatever he must do to try to make me discouraged and doubtful of the One I serve and the purpose for serving Him. But he's really messed up because I know I serve the Most High. I know that God is in control. I know Jesus Christ is my Savior. I read the end of the book -- I'm on the winning side.

So let him send his minions to do their best. I am shining with the glory of the Almighty!

Further Thoughts:

1. Do you suffer persecution? Thank God that others see Him in you and that you can suffer as our Lord did.
   
2. If you ever think you suffer too much for your faith, check out this site. These people know suffering....and they have seen the glory of God. 
   

Matthew 12:22-29 "The Illogical Argument"

Read Matthew 12:22-29.

"It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons." NIV

It just absolutely amazes me the illogical arguments that people will make against Christ and Christianity. Here is a prime example. Teachers of the law, God's law, accuse Christ of being a conduit of Satan to drive out demons. Why would Satan ever do that? He put the demon in the man in the first place to do his work. Yet that is the Pharisees' answer for who Jesus must be. And these were the wise men of the day -- the learned? Reminds me of Matthew 11:25 when Jesus says, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children." Now I'm not against education at all. I'm an educator. But really, some common sense has to come into play sometime.

Jesus answers so beautiful with pure logic. "If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?"

So it just seems that this is the kind of argument that we still face to this day. People want truth yet they embrace relativism exactly like the Pharisees did. The Pharisees didn't want to see Jesus as the Messiah or their own sins and hypocrisy would be exposed and their power ripped away. Maybe that's the same reasoning today. If Jesus is embraced as the truth, then I will be shone as a person that does not follow truth. Therefore, I will create my own truth that I can follow religiously. The problem with creating our own truth is that it's truth for only us. And it can change with our whim. We stand on nothing concrete and so flounder in a world of our own making that shifts like the sand. Who are you really and what do you believe in? I guess it comes down to you only believe in yourself so you are making yourself your own god.

The Almighty does not change with the wind. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is a foundation that will never shift or crack because He is not only just, but loving. He is the perfect balance. God is good in all circumstances and His precepts are true. With God, there is no compromise. Full devotion is normal, not the exception. He is a mighty fortress, a strong tower. He will never leave me or forsake me. His decisions are not based on hormones, profit margins, or present circumstances. He is always right and in control. His truth is unwavering, and the path to Him is straight and narrow. He lives in the realm of black and white, no gray. Rigid, probably. Compassionate, absolutely. He embodies pure mercy and grace through His Son, Jesus Christ and desires that none of His children should perish. He is the Caring Shepherd pursuing tirelessly His lost sheep. He is never taken by surprise and never confused. His way is sure.

This is the Truth that I stand on. This is my argument against the shifting views that so many want to take today. Call me, conservative; call me, rigid; even call me, intolerant. I serve a jealous God and must remain true to Him. Any way other than His is the wrong way. Truth is still truth even if no one believes in it.

Further Thoughts:

1. How does Noah and the flood support my last statement?
2. Do you struggle with compromise like the Pharisees? Why? In what areas? What in your life needs to change to be back on the straight and narrow road?
3. Do you face constant opposition because of your faith? View their arguments in light of God's truth and stand on His firm foundation. You are not the one being rejected, He is. And He can stand up to anyone.

Matthew 10:21-36 "Stand Firm"

Read Matthew 10:21-36.

"All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." NIV

This is not a concept that we particularly think about when we receive Jesus as our Savior. We see Him as as the one to forgive ours sins and that we will do things His way instead of our own. But do we really count the cost we will pay from those around us? Do we hear the insults and disdain that we may confront -- even from those who are closest to us but don't understand nor have received the Truth?

I think some people do, but not many. Most of us walk into Christianity because we have finally heard the Holy Spirit's call to our hearts; we've messed our life up enough on our own and need a salvation from the path we have taken. But to anticipate opposition -- I believe very few people contemplate the consequences of walking the believer's life.

Jesus' warnings as written here are extreme and dangerous. It sounds like we are walking into a war zone rather than accepting a lifestyle of quiet reverence and piety. But Jesus is placing the reality in front of our eyes -- worse for some than for others -- but the truth none the less.

Whether on a small scale of insults to persecution by death, we will all face some opposition to the choice we have made to follow Christ. And we must decide beforehand what we will do in those situations. Jesus says first in vs. 22 to "stand firm to the end." He also says in vs. 23 that if "you are being persecuted in one place, flee to another. We aren't required to stand and take the punishment if there is a way to leave it. "Stand" in vs 22 refers to enduring by abiding with Christ no matter what.

The idea of facing persecution is not one that any of us want to contemplate. But a healthy view hinges on the right perspective. We see this laid out in verses 28-31. True life is not about these 60 minutes an hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that we live here in a flesh and blood existence. True life is what is still to come. This is just a temporary stop. Too often we want to make the life we live now the end all, and it just simply isn't. There is so much more living we have to do and that will be in eternity with our Lord -- either after the resurrection or through physical death.

If we can look at life in the temporal as we should, then death is nothing to fear. Perfect healing comes with the perfect body we will have in heaven. So anyone can do anything to me here on this earth -- physically, psychologically, or emotionally -- but they cannot touch my soul. I am a child of the King, and I have the promise of an inheritance that goes far beyond anything this world can give me. The only fear I should experience is in reverent fear before the Almighty. If I do not follow Him and declare Him as Lord, He will disown me. He is a jealous God and will not abide competition for my affections. He is to be the one and only Lord.

I have already experienced the separation that can occur in relationships because I have chosen this path -- to belong to Christ. It is not easy; in fact, it's very painful. Only through prayers and the power of the Holy Spirit have I been able to stand. But stand I will to the end. My Lord is great and no one nor anything will separate me from my Father's love nor my love from Him.

Further Thoughts:

1. Joseph was persecuted multiple times -- even by family. But what does he say to his brothers in the end? Read Genesis 50:20.
2. Are we required to forgive the ones who persecute us? Read Matthew 6:14-15 and related post, and Luke 23:33-34.
3. Here is another post on persecution.
4. Persecution can be really difficult to come to grips with while in the midst of it. But we have promises to hold on to. Read Romans 8:28, Psalm 37:1-2, 2 Corinthians 4:-12, 2 Timothy 1:11-12, 1 Peter 3:13-14 and STAND.

Matthew 5:10 "Blessed" Part 8

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” NIV

Recently our church had a wonderful man speak to us about his experience with persecution. He was imprisoned for his faith for several weeks, beaten, starved, and just days from his execution before he was released due to international pressure. I listened and was saddened by his pain and the agony his wife and daughter must have gone through. But I could in absolutely no way relate. I am free to share my faith with anyone I want anywhere I want. I don’t fear prison or death because of my faith. I only feel persecuted when I am scoffed at for believing that Jesus is the Son of God. That’s the extent of my suffering. In many ways I feel like a spoiled rich kid who in no way appreciates or understands how blessed she is.

But I do know that persecution could reach our shores in the very near future. I’m not deluded into thinking we are exempt from the enemy’s schemes to touch our lives here in American as so many have suffered in other countries. I only pray that we, as God’s children, will have the strength to endure whatever may come. I know I serve a loving God and this life here and now is not the end of the story. You can kill my body, but you cannot have my soul. I surrendered that to the Almighty a long time ago, and I do not plan to take it back. I will stand firm for the Lord as my strength and my shield. I will not be moved.

Further Thoughts:

1. Stephen was the first Christian martyr. Read his story in Acts 6:8-7:60. It’s a powerful example of sacrifice for Christ.
2. In the Old Testament we can learn how Daniel suffered persecution and received God’s provision. Read Daniel 6:1-28.
3. Paul is an amazing example of someone who would endure anything for Christ. Do a study of Paul and make a list of the persecutions and trials he faced.
4. Are you ready to face whatever may come our way? If not, what area of your life do you still need to surrender to Him?
5. Want to know more about those being persecuted around the world and how you can help them? Go to http://www.persecution.com/.