For centuries, the professing Church in America has basked in a cocoon of comfort and safety, protected by the constitutional promise of religious freedom and the tolerance of a nation that has largely shared the moral values of Christians. Our faith has existed untroubled, in an idyllic echo of early Christian Rome before Nero’s reign of terror. The experience of the American Christian, ensconced in peace and prosperity, has been a stark contrast to the oft-fiery trial of faith depicted in the scriptures and most of the Church’s history.
However, an unsettling shift is now palpable. The formerly mild climate is growing increasingly hostile towards Christians who, fearlessly and uncompromisingly, align themselves with biblical truth and morality. Observing the signs of the times, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that God appears to be lifting His restraining hand, allowing the societal forces of evil to gain momentum, while simultaneously refining His church and separating the sheep from the goats.
Hebrews 11:32-39, often referred to as the “Faith Hall of Fame,” chronicles the trials, tribulations, and triumphant faith of Old Testament saints. In this passage, the writer holds up a mirror with a startling reflection of the unfolding tribulations of the modern Christian church in America.
This exploration into the gritty realities of faith provides a strong reminder that the reward for true faith is not always immediate, not always earthly, and certainly not always pleasant. Initially, the passage celebrates the victories achieved through faith. Believers “conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection.”
Yet, the narrative takes a turn, plunging into a stark chronicle of persecution. Many faced mockery, flogging, chains, and imprisonment. Sound familiar? They were stoned, sawn in two, and slain by the sword. They wandered in deserts, mountains, and caves, clothed in skins of sheep and goats. They were canceled.
This part of the text echoes with an eerie resonance. According to some extra-biblical traditions, the prophet Isaiah may have been the one who was sawn in half, though we cannot affirm this with absolute certainty. What is clear, however, is that these saints faced persecution with unflinching resolve, revealing the strength and substance of their faith.
Fast forward to our current era. Christians in America who hold fast to the exclusivity of Christ, adhere to a biblical sexual ethic, and boldly speak out against the onslaught of immorality, particularly concerning homosexuality, transgender ideology, and abortion rights, are finding themselves in the crosshairs of an increasingly secular and intolerant society.
The persecution faced by such Christians may not mirror the physical brutality depicted in Hebrews 11—at least, not yet. Still, we must understand that persecution takes many forms and that the modern forms we face today, in the context of our society, can be just as devastating. For example, being “canceled” or fired from a job because of one’s biblical convictions can wreak havoc on a family’s ability to provide food and shelter.
Social ostracization, particularly in our interconnected world, can inflict deep emotional and psychological wounds, leading to the same kind of despair that it seems many of the prophets of the Old Testament faced. To many, it can be as torturous as physical pain, as deadly as a sword—a pain that only the hope found in Christ can mitigate. In the face of such adversities, our society seems to have an unspoken message: ‘Conform, or bear the consequences.’ The vilification and marginalization of Christians, once unthinkable in America, is becoming a contemptible reality.
Nevertheless, as we stand on the precipice of this new era of persecution, we must not be overcome by fear or led into compromise. We are called to stand firm, as those saints of old, taking to heart the declaration of the Apostle Paul: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). In the midst of trials, we can find solace and strength in the unwavering promises of God.
The ultimate victory belongs to those who keep the faith, those who, like the heroes of Hebrews 11, valiantly persevere through the crucible of persecution. Our reward, beyond the confines of this temporal world, lies in the sovereignty of God, who transcends all earthly powers, orchestrates the unfolding of history, and stands immutable against the shifting tides of societal norms and trends.
Remember, as we face our own trials, the writer of Hebrews reminded us of these men and women of indomitable faith—they are our predecessors. They are our cloud of witnesses, their courage and fortitude illuminate our path forward, and their lives are a symphony of perseverance and faith that ring out from these pages of Scripture.
In our world, marked by turbulent change and shifting societal standards, our unwavering conviction and resolve become more than virtues; they become lifelines. As we step into the days ahead, we must face the storm not with trepidation but with a firm faith rooted in the infallible Word of God.
Our strength cannot lie in our own capabilities or personal strength but rather in our complete and utter reliance on God. As we walk through the valley of societal turmoil, hold fast to the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Do not lose hope, but lean into God’s strength and know that in our weakness, His power is magnified. Our faith will not merely survive but shine even more brightly in the darkness, reflecting the light of our Savior, our only hope in the storm. In the end, we are not called to conform to the world but to be separate, to stand against the sin and evil of the world, and remain committed to the truth of the Gospel and the power and grace of our Lord.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs’s is the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 5:3
The road to poverty is one all children of God will travel, sooner or later. For there is no other way there than to travel this road. It is the way…to the kingdom of heaven. What is this road? And why must the true children of God travel it?
Poverty is not something we like in rich America, or anyplace in the world. For which one of us does not aspire to riches. Some may not care about money, but we all seek riches in their many forms and fashions. Riches may be strength, health, beauty, family heritage, loved ones, self confidence, self righteousness, a code, a creed, a cherished reputation, a talent or skill, one’s accomplishments, material possessions, or a devoted love for one’s self. It is sustenance in some form that we would hope on, place our trust upon, revel in. But what is the road of poverty? That is another story. A sad one, one where you will mourn, suffer loss, become dependent, feel pain.
The road to Christ, a true awareness and faith in Him from the heart is paved with sorrows, lack and need. For to find Him, in truth, or more accurately for Him to find you, there must be this acknowledgement of our utterly destitute state without Him. It’s the beginning of understanding the magnitude of our depravity in view of His holiness. Just a glimpse, for we can never truly come to a full understanding of this truth in the carnal wicked world in which we live. Only in heaven will we see this truth as profoundly as it is.
Blessed are the poor in spirit. Who are they? How did they get there? They are the ones who lack in spirit and know it. They may be the forgotten one, the drunk, the glutton, the homeless person who no one cares about, or that rich widow sitting alone day after day with no friends, no loved ones anymore. It’s that person who suffers need and is desolate. In a word poor. The one who sees how fragile they are, how needy they are, how desperate they are for love, for forgiveness. These poor souls don’t hope in themselves, or money, or anything or anyone life has to offer, for they have long given up on all of that, they hope in God. For He is their only hope. They are poor! They cannot help themselves. They are blind beggars on the street corner of life, crying out, to God. God hears them. God sees them and loves them, as they are without money to pay, or works to offer. He sees them in their helpless condition and He loves them and He takes them in His arms, in His care, because they believe on Him. They believe on the Saviour Jesus Christ, with out works to pay for His love and acceptance, but rather in the freeness of His love for them.
Why do these poverty stricken people find what seems to elude most of the world? Because they need it a little bit more. They are desperate that’s why, a desperate poverty stricken broken heart hungers more, and believes because it’s his only hope, his last hope. They don’t have anyplace else to go. That’s why many people come to Jesus finally, it’s their only hope. Because….they are poor. That is why Jesus said He came to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God to the poor, because the one trusting in riches can’t get there from here, until they find themselves on the road to poverty in whatever form it takes.
Should you find yourself on the road to poverty, and you recognize the Saviour of the world on this road, because that’s where He is, Rejoice! For if you place your hope in Him alone, your destination will be the greatest wealth you could ever possess.
In the end the reality is that every single person will one day experience the road of poverty, either in this life or the next. Because the truth is, without Christ we are all horribly poor, whether we know it or not.
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17
***************************************
If you are suffering as a Christian, thank the Lord for it. Becoming poor in spirit is one of the trademarks of the mature saint. Amen and amen. Pastor Steve <><
Due to our fallen nature, Christians are prone to walking in the flesh from time to time – especially when challenges surface within the church. We often have different ideas when searching for the solution to a perceived problem. We should be humble, considerate and kind. We should be respectful of our fellow church members and their feelings about the given situation. Nonetheless, it is inevitable that we will say or do the wrong thing on occasion. When this happens from time to time, believers often need to do two things in order to maintain a Christlike spirit within the body:
1)We must repent. Repentance is necessary for salvation, yet also needed for the rest of our lives. (unless you never sin!) This requires both honesty and introspection. We all fall short. Repentance clears the air and creates a peaceful environment. One must be humble and not think highly of themselves in order to admit wrong. Unfortunately, some can only see the perceived wrong in others and not in themselves. If one has this notion, they will take things personally, lash out at others, lack the ability to control their temper, and eventually leave the church / ministry / class / fellowship, and as I once heard another describe these situations: “Take their toys to another sandbox.” This cycle will continue until if/when there is spiritual growth, because every church is filled with sinners who are saved by grace, yet walk in the flesh carnally from time to time.This is what I call the human equation.
2)We need to forgive. This quality is lacking in so many of us, and this is probably why I read so many devotionals that are focused on the need to forgive. Jesus said we should forgive 7 x 70 times which literally means without number. Again, just as in the case of not repenting over personal sin, it takes PRIDE for one not to forgive. Jesus words are haunting and penetrating: Matthew 6:15 “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”May we all heed the Masters’ Words! We have all seen people wrong each other, whereas one will forgive and the other will not. When both parties are willing to look within as they follow the Holy Spirit’s lead, a twofold forgiveness and repentance, as the case may be, will completely restore fellowship within the local church. Unfortunately we have all seen the alternative way too often.An implosion occurs in the church, ultimatums are given and accusations made, and some desire to get away from those with whom they refuse to get along. We mustlook within and without – repent and forgive! We need to do both very often in order to have a healthy walk with the Lord ourselves, and a spiritually strong church.
What if being a Christian cost something — like your popularity, your job, your rights, your family, or your life? This is the stark reality of many Christians overseas, particularly in China.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like living in a society that blamed you for their problems? What if being a Christian cost something — like your popularity, your job, your rights, your family, or your life? This is the stark reality of many Christians overseas, particularly in China, and this type of persecution is foreign to U.S. Christians.
In America, Christians attend worship services without any thought of facing judgment, slander, or persecution. While there is evidence that American society and legislation is becoming more hostile to Christianity, believers by and large do not face anywhere near the same level of threats or persecution that their Christian brothers and sisters see every day in many eastern countries.
Ironically (or perhaps consequently), a nation with arguably the most freedom and prosperity in the world is seeing a steady decline in Christianity. Pew Research reported that 65% of American adults identified as Christian in 2019 (a decrease of 12 percentage points since 2009), and 76% of Baby Boomers identify as Christian while only 49% of Millennials identify as Christian.
Secularization has overtaken much of Europe as well. In Western Europe, where many identify as Christian because of historical religious tradition, most Western Europeans are non-practicing and reject the God described by the Bible. In 1910, 66% of the world’s Christians lived in Europe, but in 2010 Europe made up only 26% of all Christians.
Back to Jerusalem
While Christianity is declining in the West, it continues to grow in the East. The percentage of Christians living in Africa and Asia grew from 6% in 1910 to 37% in 2010 and is projected to reach 50% by 2050.
In China today, some experts believe there are 130 to 150 million Christians growing at a rate of 30,000 new believers a day according to Dr. Eugene Bach, co-author of “The Underground Church.”
Bach has been a Chinese missionary since 2000 and is part of an organization called Back to Jerusalem (BTJ), a Chinese-based Christian mission organization dedicated to evangelizing the nations between China and Israel. BTJ trains and sends Chinese missionaries to evangelize the primarily Hindu, Buddhist, or Muslim nations in the “10/40 window” where 90% of unreached people groups in the world are located. The BTJ vision began in the 1920s, but the first team of missionaries from China wasn’t sent until 2000. Since then, China has sent thousands of missionaries to many countries in the in 10/40 window.
BTJ recently hosted its first Voices of the Persecuted Church conference and invited several missionaries from some of the most heavily persecuted nations in the world: North Korea, Iran, Sudan, and China. According to the Open Doors World Watch List, these countries rank #2, #9, #13, and #17, respectively. These missionaries shared their stories of God’s grace through tremendous trials, and they revealed how God is using the faithfulness of the persecuted church to expand the kingdom.
I attended this conference in October 2022 and will share the stories of the speakers in a three-part series. Part one of this series will unveil the circumstances of Christians in China and will focus on the stories of two missionaries from China; part two will focus on North Korea and the story of one missionary who has spent her life serving the citizens of North Korea within the country and refugees fleeing the country; and part three will discuss what churches face in Islamic countries in the Middle East and Africa and will focus on the stories of two Christian women from Sudan and Iran.
A Brief History — Christianity in China
Christianity has faced many challenges in China since Mao Zedong came to power in 1949. Most Christians in China meet illegally in the Chinese House Church, a vast network of underground churches. Before the rise of the Chinese House Church movement, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) formed a state-recognized church, the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM). Like many tyrannical regimes, the CCP portrayed TSPM as an opportunity to foster patriotism, fight imperialism, and promote freedom of religion.
Many Christians optimistically bought into this message, and some of the key tenets of communism appeared to align with Christian values — fostering community, helping the poor, and fighting greed. However, after cutting through the propaganda and examining some of TSPM’s requirements, the true colors of communism bleed through the mirage of rhetoric.
In TSPM, “Christian believers must strictly abide by all the laws, regulations, and policies of the Communist Party and the State and strive to be patriotic and law-abiding citizens.” To be “patriotic and law-abiding citizens,” Christians “must comply with the government’s labor codes and strive to contribute to the development of the ‘Four Modernizations’ established by the Communist Party.
When scheduled religious activities are in conflict with production and work schedules, the economic activities must take priority” (emphasis added). Additionally, “no unauthorized meeting points are allowed,” and Christians cannot “persuade and force others to believe in Christianity,” “brainwash teenagers under 18 with religious beliefs,” or “bring children under 18 to religious activities.”
The prohibition on evangelism continues. Christians cannot “preach their religion outside the church building and specific places which have been designated for religious activities,” nor can they “receive self-proclaimed evangelists into their homes, churches or meeting points.” There are also additional codes — which are typically not written but still enforced by the government — that prohibit baptisms, formal or informal Bible studies, praying for healing, and teachings about the virgin birth, the resurrection of Christ, and the second coming of Christ.
The CCP hunts down Christians who fail to comply with these regulations and gives them two choices: deny Christ by swearing allegiance to the CCP, or refuse to recant and face torture, imprisonment, or execution. For those who choose the former, the CCP rewards them with leadership positions in TSPM and goads them to spy on Christians in the underground churches to reveal key details about their leaders, meetings, and members. This has created deep animosity and distrust between the Chinese House Church and TSPM.
“Do Not Be Afraid; Jesus Loves You” — Brother Yun
One of the speakers at the conference, Brother Yun, author of the 2002 autobiography “The Heavenly Man,” shared his story of overcoming the brutality of the CCP. Yun was born in China’s Henan Province in the late 1950s and grew up during Mao’s Great Leap Forward, a time of famine, starvation, and intense religious persecution. After God miraculously healed his father of cancer, he surrendered his life to God and hungered to know more about Jesus.
At the time, Bibles were nearly impossible to find in China. Mao’s Little Red Book became the new religious text, and anyone who possessed a Bible would face severe punishment from the government. After listening to the advice of a pastor, Yun prayed and fasted for months, pleading with God to bring him a Bible. After 100 days, Yun received a vision of two men pulling a Bible out of a bag of fresh bread and giving him this precious gift, and that same day the same two men came to his home and gifted him a Bible.
Now armed with the Word of God, Yun began memorizing a chapter from the New Testament every day, and eventually he received another vision to preach the gospel to the south and west of his village. This was the beginning of his heavenly call to evangelize the nations. He has faced tremendous suffering and persecution for his commitment to the Great Commission, and he has numerous stories of God’s miraculous provision in his life.
Like many of the speakers from the conference, Yun emphasized the simple yet profound truth — knowing that God loves you with a perfect, everlasting love which casts out fear (1 John 4:18), and this love enabled Yun to conquer some of the most painful and terrifying situations — imprisonment, torture, separation from family, weeks without food, and intense hatred and ridicule.
He also shared what it means to be called by God. “If there’s a calling on your life, you cannot easily die,” Yun said. Toward the beginning of Yun’s ministry, his mother prophesied that he would not be a martyr for Christ but rather a living sacrifice, and this has proven quite true after nearly 50 years of ministry.
Yun emphasized that living for the Lord is far more important than dying for him. While all Christians must be ready to die for the sake of Christ and the gospel, Christ’s call to die daily to ourselves is far more challenging. “To die is very easy,” said Brother Yun. “To deny Christ is very easy. But to live for Christ day by day until the last day is very difficult.”
“Here I Am! Send Me” — Pastor Isaac Liu
Brother Yun’s son, Pastor Isaac Liu, author of “Son of the Underground,” shared his story at the conference as well. When Yun was in prison, he and his wife prayed for a God-fearing son. When Liu’s mother became pregnant, the Chinese government ordered her to have an abortion because of her husband’s status as an enemy of the state. Just days before her scheduled abortion, she gave birth to a premature baby weighing less than three pounds.
Liu grew up in his father’s poor rural village, and he saw his father for the first time when he was four years old. His father charged him to follow Christ faithfully, and Liu was baptized at seven years old. He began is walk with Christ with baptism in a frozen lake late at night in the middle of winter. The church often held baptisms this way to hide illegal religious activity from the Chinese government.
At age eight, he began memorizing one chapter of the Bible each day just like his father, and at age 11, he received a vision from God and began sharing the gospel to the surrounding villages. At age 18, he moved to Germany to start the All Nations Church where he currently serves as a pastor.
As the son of a missionary, Isaac had a direct calling on his life. He grew up with the expectation of serving God, and he didn’t always welcome that calling. After turning 13, he prayed not to become a preacher because of the many hardships he faced due to his family’s commitment to Christ. His father and mother were imprisoned many times, he went to 11 different schools in 10 years to flee persecution, and he grew up in poverty and isolation — all because of his parents’ calling to serve God. He grew bitter toward God and began to doubt God’s goodness and power.
However, he held to the word of God as a teenager, and eventually God won the battle in Liu’s heart. He compared himself to Jonah and how God used an unwilling prophet and a terrible sermon to turn the hearts of many to repentance and faith. Liu shared that like Jeremiah, we may have many excuses for why we’re inadequate to serve the Lord, but the Lord is simply looking for faithful servants who will simply trust in his power and obey his commands.
“We have millions of excuses,” said Liu, “but we must just obey and trust the Lord.”
“Wine That Is Pleasing to the Winemaker” — Eugene Bach
Bach also spoke at the conference and compared the Chinese persecuted church to a Napa Valley vineyard. Bach explained that to make the best tasting wine, the winemaker must restrict the vine’s access to water, forcing its roots to grow deep into the soil to obtain more water and nutrients. “Lazy grapes,” the large, plump, bland grapes sold at grocery stores, grow on vines that have been overwatered, and while these grapes look the most appealing, they lack flavor and nutrients.
In contrast, the grapes on the struggling vine appear shriveled, but these grapes contain the most flavor and create the best tasting wine. As struggling and deprivation create a flavor of grapes that is most pleasing to the winemaker, the struggling and deprivation of the church creates a flavor of faithfulness, godliness, and obedience that is most pleasing to the Winemaker.
As many of the speakers emphasized, suffering is a gift from God. It is the purifying furnace that purges the dross from the precious gold (1 Peter 1:3-9). It is the pruning of the vine that yields a more bountiful harvest (John 15:1-11), and it is an instrument that molds us into the humble, gentle, and compassionate image of Christ (Philippians 3:7-11). Suffering is a painful and undesirable reality of this world, but perhaps it is the bitter medicine for a Western church diagnosed with a lethal case of secularism.
“You don’t know how to live until you know how to die.” Maranatha, Pastor Steve <><
During the current political crisis in America and around the world, it’s easy to become frustrated and overwhelmed by what could happen. For many, taking a stand for your faith, your conscience, and your values could spell the end of your career, your income, your livelihood, and even your life.
For some, refusing an experimental medical procedure that was passed off as a “vaccine” has already cost them jobs. And while it seems like that push has tapered down somewhat for a time, Democrats are vowing to push even harder next time. It doesn’t appear as though it will get any better any time soon. In fact, the Biden administration has even promised to continue to make the national supply chain crisis worse until everyone has succumbed to the vaccine mandates. Many, if not most, will likely cave. This is the definition of tyranny.
There is no doubt about it, especially when children are involved, that people just want to return to their normal lives. But others see the bigger issue at play. Succumbing to tyranny never results in less tyranny; it always results in more. And this is why people are worried. Some are willing to die for the cause; liberty has never been gained or preserved without those who are willing and prepared to give their life for it.
As Christians, however, we have something the other side doesn’t have. We have peace. We are not tormented and enslaved by the fear of death the way the Pagans are (Hebrews 2:15)—this is why they desperately seek worldly solutions. But their efforts are futile; truth and integrity will outlast all of that.
As we seek to continue to proclaim Christ and stand for truth and justice, here are some things to remember:
As Christians, we are called to obey the Scriptures—even when it doesn’t seem feasible or even logical to do so. Jesus said we would be blessed (Luke 11:28).
We are told to trust in God alone, not the schemes of men, the laws of the land, science or medical innovations, and especially ourselves. These things may be gifts from God when used properly, but they are not replacements for His sovereignty (Proverbs 3:5-6).
We should be prepared to die and live as though it is our last day. What we do on Earth should be focused on Heaven and we should seek to do things that will have eternal consequences. As Christians, our hearts and treasures should be in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).
Every moment we have in this life should be focused on the glory of God. This means being obedient, exercising faith, and seeing that the gospel goes forth. It’s easy to get caught up in the whims of culture—the professing Church may be focused on the whims of the Pagan culture. Things such as racism and social justice. And they do so at the expense of the gospel. But we must turn our focus away from these things as they do not build up our Heavenly treasury.
2 Corinthians 8:9 draws a beautiful picture of what it means to store up treasures in Heaven,
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
This is the gospel of Jesus Christ, that Jesus laid down His life so that we could live. That beautiful truth, that Christ came to Earth as God, in the form of a man and lived a perfect life—a life that we could not live. He fulfilled the requirement of God’s law completely, never once sinned. Yet, He died in our place according to the Scriptures, took the punishment that we deserved on the cross bearing the full wrath of God the Father, was buried, and rose again three days later, defeating sin and death, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father forever making intercession for those who would repent and believe on Him.
This is the only treasure we need to worry about storing up. I am a sinner like no one else. Though it can be tempting sometimes, I honestly can’t point to anyone and say that person is a worse sinner than I am. I’ve been addicted to drugs. I’ve been to prison in a foreign country. And yet, somehow, God chose me out of the muck and mire of a life that I was in and He used the death of my own father to start that process.
Make sure you pass that good news on to as many people as possible before you leave this world, whether it be tomorrow or 80 years from now. Do not fear, cast your anxieties on Him (1 Peter 5:7), repent of your sin, and trust in Him alone. I hope you’re prepared to die.
Fast Facts: Hurricane Charlie (2004) would fit within the eye of Hurricane Ian (2022). Yes, sometimes bigger is not better. Hurricane Ian was the largest financial disaster in Florida’s history. Only technological savvy gained over the last century, prevented perhaps hundreds if not thousands of more deaths. It landed off the southwestern Florida coast as a Cat 5.
The Good:
1)Neighbors actually talk to and help each other. The famous American veneer of independence has been stripped away. The Old Testament scripture that “every man has his fig and vine tree” (Micah 4:4) can be an indictment, resulting with selfishness and insulating ourselves from people in need.
2)Adversity strengthens character. Strong Christians are like tea bags, hot water brings out the best in us. When everything is peaches and creme in my life, I never grow. The mundane produces mediocrity. Tragedy gives us golden opportunities to assist others, and to shine as Christians born from above.
3)Hurricane Ian is a microcosm of the soon coming judgment of God and Great Tribulation period. We were privileged to endure it. If you do not realize that these weather events are part of the Lord’s judgment on this so called “Christian” nation, then I have a piece of real estate in the middle of the Florida Everglades to sell to you. The LGBTQ+ abominable lifestyles and abortions have been accepted by a great portion of our culture. God took out two Old Testament cities (Sodom and Gomorrah) who had much less spiritual light than we have. Perhaps this is a final wake up call or last opportunity to get right with our Creator. Our loving Creator is trying to get the attention of fallen man despite ourselves, and this is good.
4)I had the opportunity to speak at length with my brother Fred in Boca Raton, Florida. Living in the Gold Coast through most of his life, Fred is a hurricane expert and checked up on us several times. He and I are bookends with our mutual Christian faith and political viewpoints. He has suffered severely through poor decisions of other family members, so he has a special place in my heart. I will take his advice and purchase a generator which I could have used a couple of days ago.
5)Our neighbors taught me how to take a Pilipino shower, even though I did not take one.
6)The adversity is a reality check for the things that matter most. Americans often have warped priorities and our “trinity” becomes me, myself and I, if we are not careful. Ian helps us to focus outward and not inward.
7)Christians have the best opportunity we may ever have of putting feet on our faith. As you shine through adversity, people are watching and taking notes!
8)The good Lord gave us two weeks of 76-84 degree weather after this storm. This is unique this time of year. Also, hurricanes are frequently followed by rain bands, adding difficulty to those with damaged roofs. We have had dry conditions since Ian. Thank you Jesus!
9)God saw to it that some of our trees were trimmed of dead branches. He also saw that trees fell away from our house and not into it! Thank you Jesus!
10)When Neapolitan ice cream melts, the results are chocolate, strawberry and vanilla milkshakes.
The Bad
1)The fear that people feel while enduring such an event. 100+ winds pounding on our abodes for twelve to fourteen hours. Water piling up outside as we wonder if it will come into our homes and church buildings. Wondering what we will wake up to. This hurricane was especially wide and devastating. Homes left their foundation and floated down the street. Both wind and water damage were huge.
2)The stress of preparing for several days, followed by living through the hurricane itself, and feeling totally wiped out after the fact. Yes, we have faith but these catastrophic events take a toll on our body, soul and spirit.Many of us are entering or already in our senior years, and strength and endurance are at a premium.
3)Realizing that these events are the product of living on a sin cursed planet. We look forward to the Millenium, but this is a classic case of suffering in the present age.
The Ugly
1)Those with severe health challenges, triggered by the stress. A former parishioner with health concerns, Fred Strike, was totally devastated after Hurricane Charlie, and said: “I am going to die.” A retired pastor in our church thought he was over reacting. Fred passed on within two weeks. Others have trouble with catastrophic damage to the homes and it is just too much. We must be cognizant of their needs and help them.
2)People pulling guns over their need of gasoline and water. This is a microcosm of our culture and populace if these items become permanently scarce. Scary! Tip: Get these items BEFORE the hurricane strikes. Do not jeopardize your safety, getting in line with crazed heathens who crave their needs, and care for no one else. Hurricane season is June 1 to November 30 – have extra food, water and gasoline during this window. Common sense / no brainer.
3)People with catastrophic damage and EVERYTHING seems to have gone wrong. When I personally first encounter extreme adversity, I often overestimate the challenges. Prayer and time, a good nights’ rest, a timely word from friends, can be a healing balm and help us get the right perspective. We need to provide that to loved ones.
*** Notice that the “good” is more numerous than the “bad and the ugly” combined. That was by design. ROMANS 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” God is in the business of placing rainbows around our dark clouds! ***
Habakkuk 3:17-19 King James Version
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
We moved to North Port, Florida six weeks before Hurricane Charlie struck on August 13, 2004. The eye wall was aimed directly at North Port immediately prior to veering right up the Peace River. I had my suits, sermons and valuable papers in our minivan, wondering why we moved here. My language and spirit was not Christlike. I was as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
Fast forward 18 years to September 28, 2022. Hurricane Ian’s eye wall is aimed at us. I have prayed without ceasing for protection from hurricanes for 18 years. I totally trust in the Lord and feel as secure, sedate and calm as the center seed of a cucumber. God is allowing my faith to be tested. We have prepared but more importantly we have prayed. I serve a God who makes this storm look like no more than a stiff breeze. We are privileged to display our faith throughout our lives during moments like these. Thank you Jesus for my calmness. Thank you for being in charge of my spirit, for the arm of the flesh would fail me. My current desire? That it would please the King of Kings to break up the eye wall as it passes through our area, and make it miss our neighborhood. God is truly awesome and in control of everything. Forget Mother Nature, Father Time, and Lady Luck. My God calls the shots. Dear Father, please watch over our church parishioners, our family and our friends, and we will be careful to give you all the honor, praise and glory. Maranatha, Pastor Steve <><
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty…
************************
Yes, one can be spiritually rich in the things of God and no one would even notice. Most people missed Jesus when He came for His incredible thirty three year earthly sojourn. It has not changed a bit since then. The following devotional sums up this truth beautifully:
Full “Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.” (Genesis 25:8)
With the words of our text, Abraham ended a life of faith having walked in such close fellowship with God that “he was called the Friend of God” (James 2:23). But when he died at 175 years old, his standing in the world from a human perspective might not seem to have warranted his nomadic life of sacrifice and faith. He had sojourned in the land given to him by covenant, but he had not taken possession of it in any real sense. Although he had gained a measure of worldly possessions (Genesis 13:2), he had evidently given up a stable and satisfying life of luxury among his people to follow God into the land of promise. Once there, his nephew, Lot, had deserted him, taking the fertile land as his own (13:10-11). Abraham had seen war (chapter 14), famine (12:10), compromise (12:13; 20:2), fighting between his two wives, and had not had children until his old age (chapters 16 and 21), had lived in poor relationship with his neighbors (chapter 20), and had eventually lost his dear wife, Sarah (23:2).
But when Abraham died, Scripture says he died completely satisfied, the literal meaning of the word “full” in our text (the words “of years” added by the translators). He had learned to measure time by eternity, to weigh the value of earthly things by the Spirit. “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). He had “believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3).
The fullness of Abraham was that of a wealth that death could not touch. The seeming fullness of those who walk by sight, and not by faith, is emptied in death. Men and women of faith carry their fullness with them. When the time comes, may we all die as Abraham died—full. JDM This email was sent to stomson2001@gmail.com | Print this articleUnsubscribe | Subscribe
Though we call on Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we tend to let the things of this world assume an exaggerated level of importance that crowds out our focus on Him.
It could be our jobs, our hobbies, our comfort or even our children’s sports teams.
We would rather skip church than miss the first five plays of an NFL game. We prefer sleeping in over gathering for worship.
Haggai may be one of those Old Testament books that gets quickly skipped over, but the whole account of Haggai is incredibly practical for the 21st century. One may even think that it was intended just for us living in this post-modern era, though it was written in 520 B.C.
In the first chapter, we see that the people had begun putting themselves before the Lord, focusing on building their own houses while neglecting the temple. In the years since returning from exile in Babylon, they had disregarded the house of God. In verse 4, God–through His prophet Haggai–says, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?”
This question tells us that the Israelites were doing the work required to build a certain level of luxury for themselves. Rather than having walls of mud or stone, their homes were overlaid (paneled) in wood. Conversely, no one was working on the temple. It laid in ruins.
The Israelites to whom Haggai was speaking were putting themselves before the Lord. The sin was not living in luxury or “paneled” homes, per se, but it was the idea of satisfying themselves instead of working on the things of God.
There are consequences to sin, and this was no exception. In fact, Haggai declares in verse 6 that many of the hardships that Israel was encountering were a direct result of their disobedience:
“You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”
(This sounds a lot like our modern age, doesn’t it?)
In other words, the farmers would work hard on their crops every year, but the harvest would be inadequate. There was food, but children and adults alike would still be hungry at the end of the day. Those who could afford new clothes in order to stay warm were still cold. In essence, God showed them that if they try to meet their own needs, they would never be satisfied.
However, in verse 8, God gives a prescription for renewal with three imperatives: “Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified.”
Go, bring and build. These were immediate marching orders. God demanded obedience now, not later.
The Israelites responded, reordered their priorities, and rebuilt the temple for His glory. In doing so, they grew spiritually as they returned God to His place of Lordship in their lives.
Let me ask you this: Has God given you direction, but you are waiting because you think it is not the right time? Are you avoiding your God-ordained calling because the work is too hard? Are you giving God the scraps while putting the majority of your focus into your own pursuits?
Or perhaps you’re accumulating all of the “toys” (your own version of “paneled walls”) you can get while neglecting your church.
I don’t ask these questions to make you feel guilty, but to encourage you to follow God’s prescription in the first chapter of Haggai. If you take a fair assessment of your spiritual life and realize that you’ve elevated other items or comforts above God, it’s time to go, bring and build.
Go get the idols in your life–your education, your job, your hobbies, your addictions, your comforts. Bring them to God and lay them at His feet, repenting of your disordered priorities.
In their place, build your relationship with God by obeying His commands, through prayer and studying His Word. Just as the Israelites grew spiritually as they turned back to God, you will find a new and deeper fulfillment in Him.
1 In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, 2 “Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.” ’ ” 3 Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4 “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” 5 Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! 6 “You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” 7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! 8 Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord. 9 “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. 10 Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. 11 For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.” 12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the Lord. 13 Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the Lord’s message to the people, saying, “I am with you, says the Lord.” 14 So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius.
The Christian life gives us great peace and reward, yet we will suffer persecution. [Yea, and all who will live a godly life in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. II Timothy 3:12] I have always wondered about American Christianity, since so few in our nation have experienced this. Do we have a tainted and sanitized view of our faith? Note the following powerful devotional from the Days of Praise. The prophets, apostles, John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and countless saints throughout the church age were slain for their faith. It was not the exception for these spiritual giants, it was the rule. Also, the following devotional touches on several verses that tell us that creation was a recent event (thousands of years) and not an evolutionary process that started millions and billions of years ago. Praise God for the unique and gifted theologian and scientist Henry M. Morris Ph. D., who brings so much of the Bible to light for us! In His Service, Pastor Steve <><
“That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.” (Luke 11:50-51)
God’s true prophets have been persecuted from the beginning. Abel, son of Adam and Eve, was the first, according to Jesus, for his blood was shed by Cain “from the foundation of the world.” A “prophet” in biblical terms was a man who proclaimed inspired words from God (not necessarily predictions of the future, but words inspired by the Holy Spirit—note 1 Peter 1:10-11; 2 Peter 1:19-21).
Evidently Abel was speaking God’s own words to Cain when the latter slew him in jealous wrath. The Zacharias mentioned is probably “Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest,” who was stoned when he prophesied against the people under King Joash (2 Chronicles 24:20-22), for he was the last prophet actually mentioned in the Old Testament as having been slain for his testimony.
Thus, the period encompassed by the Lord’s statement was the entire Old Testament period, “from the foundation of the world” to the coming of Christ. The same experience awaited most of the prophets used by God to pen the New Testament Scriptures. Thus does the world react to God’s inspired Word!
There is another important truth in this passage. The blood of God’s prophets began to be shed “from the foundation of the world,” not just beginning almost five billion years after the foundation of the world, as modern evolutionists allege! This is striking confirmation that the world was made from start to finish in six literal days. See also Mark 10:6, Acts 3:21, etc., for similar incidental confirmations of this truth. HMM
Days of Praise Podcastis a podcast based on the Institute for Creation Research quarterly print devotional, Days of Praise. Start your day with devotional readings written by Dr. Henry Morris, Dr. Henry Morris III, and Dr. John Morris to strengthen and encourage you in your Christian faith.
NEWSInside February 2021 Acts & FactsWhat is the mission of the Institute for Creation Research? What legacy did Dr. Henry M. Morris III leave behind? How will our Ice Age model impact…BY: STAFF WRITER
Even Steven 