All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
Are you ready? Have you prepared your heart? What will you do?
Christians in the west have had it pretty easy for a while. Mostly, we feel we are persecuted when the government tries to infringe on our constitutional guarantees of liberty. Sometimes people threaten us or malign us for our beliefs. Atheists try to shout us down. Yet, we have little persecution, compared to history. Even Russia is now friendly to Christianity... as long as you stay out of the way of the government's totalitarian leanings.
However, in the rest of the world, such as in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and the Far East, Christianity is on the run. Sort of...
* Chaldean Christians in Iraq and Syria, the Chaldean church who have been part of the faith since the first century, are fleeing their cities with nowhere to go. Because they refuse to convert to Islam.
* Egyptian Christians have had their churches bombed, burned and their leaders stoned or shot by the Muslim Brotherhood. Because they refuse to deny Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
* Christians in India are very careful not to rile the police or government authorities who are primarily Hindu and who occasionally have pastors and church leaders beaten and arrested for evangelizing. Because they refuse to keep inside the walls of their churches, they keep preaching and teaching Jesus as the Risen Savior.
* Pakistani Christians have their churches and homes fire-bombed routinely. Because they will not deny Christ and become Muslim.
* African Christians have their children kidnapped, their women raped and their leaders shot at random intervals. Because they refuse to accept Muhammad as "Gods only prophet".
* In China, the government bull dozes churches without notice and arrests Bible believers as "dissidents". Because they refuse to stop evangelizing in the name of Jesus.
All of this by the zealous Anti-Christ forces of radical Islamists or other governments that feel threatened by Jesus. But, we in the west sit comfortably in our homes while Christians in other parts of the world are martyred, harassed, tortured and forced out of their homes.
In this generation, we have seen the faithful stand their ground against an onslaught of attack by real forces who will do anything to destroy "the Faith that was once and for all time delivered to the Saints". We have seen Godly missionaries, pastors, churches remain faithful to the Lord Jesus through unspeakable horrors. While we often debate what dogma is better and while we argue who is right about this point or another, we have witnessed millions of Christians stand for the name of Jesus and endure incredible hardship, or be killed, for His name.
Will you?
As for me and my house, I pray we have the courage of Pastor Saieed.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on
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I am OK with you sharing, but would like you to wait for Scirbe to reply since this is his post.
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Permalink Reply by ScribeD on
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In general, I think that it's better to direct individuals here who may have interest. Once you post to other forums, you begin to get trolls who just want to stir the pot and get people aggravated, which defeats the purpose of this forum. It would be like saying, "I'm having a nice time in your church, do you mind if I televise it?"
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Permalink Reply by ribbon on
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Ok, thanks anyway I wont post it. Please know though that my FB friends aren't like that. My motive for wanting to post this link is because I was hoping my son would see it. I have tried talking to him about some things mentioned in this post but since he never looks at any news or sites he seems to think I am the only one who thinks these things. You have my word ,I wont post and again thanks anyway. Maybe I can just copy what LT has said and not copy anything else.
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Permalink Reply by Gary Schultz on
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In a word....YES.
My fear though is for so many others who will not stand on Biblical principles. I know only God knows the heart, but I see so many Christians who wear their faith on their sleeves and take it off when it becomes uncomfortable. Many claim to know of God, I wonder how many know God.
I believe we will see an increase in Christian persecution, even in this country, as the world becomes darker. We should see that as a call to arms. We should be preaching and teaching the full Gospel and preparing the Bride by putting on the full armor of God.
Being a follower of Jesus isn't easy but the eternal reward should be our focus along with bringing as many along as we can.
Yes, again I say yes, I will stand against the power and principalities of darkness, for who can be against me is nothing compared to Him who is for me and the Spirit that is within me.
God is good, all the time.
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Permalink Reply by thewatchman on
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Matthew 10:28 says: And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
I know this might sound really weird, but this verse gives me such comfort in these dark times. It strengthens me, encourages me, and fills me with peace beyond measure.
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Agreed Watchman. But, when do we - as Christians - see ourselves as martyrs and when do we see ourselves as protecting and defending our own national culture?
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Hi Scribe,
I am really glad that you have brought this discussion here.
I am not sure I'm understanding the question correctly, but let me try to answer based on what you wrote.
"But, when do we - as Christians - see ourselves as martyrs"
I believe that when we have been killed because of our witness and testimony of faith for Christ Jesus, is "when" we are martyred.
Rev. 2:10 "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
Rev. 2:13 "I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast My name, and hast not denied My faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth."
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death"
(Revelation 12:11)."when do we see ourselves as protecting and defending our own national culture?"
I would have to ask, in this generation, and in this day and age....according to all of the information, news, falling away of many, speaking of evil as good and good as evil, the growth in only the last few years of darkness, what culture is our nation? The national culture of today is grossly and horribly broken and rotting.
I doubt defending this kind of culture, is the better answer. The culture of today, is not one I wish to protect, but would rather expose it and preach the Gospel, live the Gospel, because it is ONLY the Gospel of Jesus Christ that can change anyone's life or nation, one soul at a time.
Humble ourselves and pray. I just keep remembering this is not a political battle, this is a Spiritual one and we can only fight Spiritually.
Ephesians 6
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
And in LT's Words "A storm is coming. The signs are clear .... and we as Christians need to be ready, for when this storm finally hits, here in the US especially, many of the things people currently complain about as children of God will become irrelevant ... for survival and living another day for the Lord will be that day's struggle."
We must prepare, memorize Scripture, songs of praise, prayer, for there will come a famine of the Word.
Amos 8:11-Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
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Permalink Reply by Tammy on
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I doubt defending this kind of culture, is the better answer. The culture of today, is not one I wish to protect - I think that's a very interesting answer. I've never thought of it like that. I also think there is a lot of truth in that statement. I also like the follow-up would rather expose it and preach the Gospel, live the Gospel, because it is ONLY the Gospel of Jesus Christ that can change anyone's life or nation, one soul at a time. I think that's a pretty awesome perspective.
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