Persecution and Suffering…For What?!? (Part 6)

The first questions…”Why am I suffering?” and “Where does it say in Scripture that there will be persecution and suffering in a true believer’s life?”  and “Why is it that those who do what is right are the ones who are treated with the most hatred and anger?” are very good questions for today.  We will address these three questions at the same time as they are interlinked together.  There are several reasons for a true believer to suffer!  The reality is that in the midst of suffering, we should be growing spiritually and becoming more like the Lord Jesus Christ.  If you have found that you are NOT growing and even becoming bitter over it then it might be time to check up on your salvation to see if you are in the faith or not.  Here are some very Biblical reasons why you might be suffering or going through persecution:

1. Those who live godly lives will suffer persecution.  2 Tim. 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (See also Jn. 15:18-20;  17:14; Php. 1:28-29; 1 Thess. 3:3; 1 Pt. 2:21; 4:13; 1 Jn. 3:1, 13.)
2. We learn how to comfort those who are going through what we have gone through.  2 Cor. 1:4-7, “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.  And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.  And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.” (See also Rom. 8:17; 2 Cor. 4:10, 15.)
3. The Lord purges us.  Jn. 15:1-, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (See also Jn. 17:17; Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 4:22, 24-25; Col. 3:9; 1 Pt. 1:22.)

These are just 3 reasons for us to understand that we will go through persecution and suffering.  God does not leave us without hope because our hope is in Him.  Here are a few verses that will uplift you during this time of persecution and suffering you might be going through.

Is. 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Ps. 27:14, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

Ps. 62:1, 5, “<<To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.>> Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.”

Ps. 130:5, “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.”

Is. 25:9, “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

These are just a few of the verses that tell us to wait on the Lord’s direction.  As we wait, we begin to see how the Lord uses persecution and suffering to change us as long as we are doing it patiently.  Eventually, the Lord does give us a short breathing space so we can prepare for the next onslaught so we must wait for His salvation.  Remember that at no time are we promised an easy time if we are saved.

There is always a price to pay.  We can pay it now or we can pay it later.  When you pay it now, you go through times of persecution and suffering for the Lord.  Throw yourself on HIM and let Him bring peace in your heart and soul during the hard times!  Make the Lord your all-in-all during this hard time!  When you pay it later, you will find things go great for you now but one day there will be a time of suffering and persecution but it will last forever!  Pay the price, one way or another!

To Be Continued…

Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing?

Each day that we find out what exactly a person believes and it is contrary to Scripture is a very sad day indeed.  It becomes even harder when it is someone we have admired and felt stood for the truth.  It becomes even harder when you have researched that person and they never really believed what you thought they believed or stood for!  We see a trend in this past year of many known pastors and publications going downhill and buying into the contemplative mysticism.  This isn’t just minor people, pastors and publications that have bought into this dangerous doctrine but well-known people, pastors, and publications.  Today, we are discussing John Piper!  We have watched him slide slowly but surely into the abyss of being counted as teaching false doctrine.  May the Lord help each one of us to stand firm on the Word of God.  Count the cost because one day…maybe even soon YOU might be the one that has to take a stand.  Will you do it or will you be too afraid?

Piper – The Slope to Heresy?!

November 5, 2009 by The Desert Pastor

Galatians 1:6-9, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”

It is a tragedy when those who claim the name of Christ are being duped by the myriads of false teachers who have no desire for truth. An even greater tragedy occurs when false professors and/or their false teachings begin to be endorsed by well-respected ministers of the gospel. However, the greatest tragedy is when well-respected ministers of the gospel not only endorse false teaching and heresy but then allow it to be preached as truth in the midst of those sheep whom they have been supposedly called upon to protect. The man in question is none other than John Piper, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minnesota.

Finish reading here.

Persecution and Suffering…For What?!? (Part 2)

The next things are, “…lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers…”  These things are prevalent in our society, and not just ours but also other societies.   Even in churches it seems money rules the day.  The health, wealth, prosperity gospel has set the church up to be greedy.  Pastors hate the truth and would rather be wealthy than to preach the Word of God.  This is a blight on the church as well as those in leadership positions.  It isn’t just the church that has this problem but if you look at our society, people elect those to leadership in hopes of monetery gain.  Look at how Clinton was able to become president.  He addressed the economic situation and there were loads of people that thought Clinton would be the one to set our economic situation right!

Please notice that boasters, proud and blasphemers all go together.  The person that boasts has pride in her heart and also the person that blasphemes the Lord also has pride in her heart.  The boaster thinks she has gotten to where she is on her own merits so therefore she can boast about what she has done, never realizing (or purposefully seeking to forget) that God is the one Who gave her the very life she has.  Since all things come from God, the very breath we take does not belong to us, it belongs to God.  Any ability we have comes from God as does the money, the material possessions, positions of authority, etc.  So where are we allowed any pride?  We’re not!

Disobedient to parents, unthankful and wicked are part and parcel because if we allow our children to be disobedient to us then the lack of thankfulness becomes evident as does the wicked behaviour.  This wicked behaviour grows worse as the child gets older.  Things we laugh about when the child is a toddler such as talking back, being very independent, speaking with the wrong tone of voice, ordering the adults around, as well as many other things show forth their depraved nature.  Our children start off as little heathen that have to be taught about the things of the Lord.  We have to share the gospel with them and disciple them in every area of life.  Our little girls need to be taught how to be godly young ladies while our little boys need to be taught how to be godly young men.  This means consistency in discipline, godly examples on the parents’ part, continued daily discipleship, training in the things of the Lord, overall showing our children love the way the Lord shows us love.   We see from Dr. Spocks teaching of how to raise children has brought forth adults that know nothing of discipline!  This is part of the reason why our society has such wicked people.  They were allowed to grow up being disobedient to their parents.  They lack the thankfulness that should be an integral part of our lives as adults.

Which of these things are in our hearts?  What needs to be changed in our lives?  May we all be willing to seek forgiveness for every area of sin within our hearts and lives.

To be continued…

Persecution and Suffering…For What?!? (Part 1)

In my last post, I shared about President Obama and the possibilities that lie ahead of us.  There is a very real possibility of persecution and suffering for Christians in the near future.

“For what?!?” you are probably wondering, while confusion races through your mind.  After all, isn’t the new president the answer to all of our problems?  Even the media is talking about him being the saviour of America.  His inauguration speech was upbeat and he’s going to be the one to bring about change to America!  The question is, will it be good change or will it be bad change?  I guess we will have to see what happens next.

1 Timothy 3:1-5 says, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

We are seeing these things happening even today.  Let’s take these things one by one and ask ourselves how WE stack up with the description of those people that are in the last days.  After that we will discuss what the Bible says about persecution and suffering.

It starts off saying, “…men will be lovers of themselves…”  This is quite explanatory in that people will become very selfish and love themselves more than anyone else.  According to the world’s standards, we have all come to the point where our humility is at the very peak.  No one loves themselves enough anymore and it’s time for us to learn how to love ourselves before we can love anyone else.  Even more interesting is that we are at such a point in our society that we must forgive ourselves before we can forgive anyone else.  In fact, in some circles we are in desperate need to forgive God before we can move on and begin to love everyone around us.  This is worldly philosophy and is of the devil himself.  Nowhere in Scripture does it say we must love ourselves, forgive ourselves, or even forgive God before we can move on with life and learn to love other people.  It is a fact that we automatically love ourselves.  This, of course, probably comes as a shock to some.

“How can you say such a thing that we automatically love ourselves?  What about those poor people who commit suicide?  Or those people who never bathe themselves?   What about people who bully others?  Or even those who are on drugs?  I could understand you talking about all those people who dress nicely, buy things for themselves, live a great life, etc., etc., etc. but I don’t understand why you are picking on these deprived people who despise themselves.  If they loved themselves they would take care of themselves but these people don’t take care of themselves and I KNOW they have poor self-esteem!”

I will restate again,  ALL people love themselves more than anyone else.  No one NEEDS self-esteem as it is already an automatic part of us, according to the Word of God!

Think about it…the person that commits suicide is VERY selfish in that he/she leaves someone behind who is devastated over the suicide, even if it’s only an acquaintance.  That is the ultimate in selfishness.  The person who refuses to bathe is selfish in that the odour permeates and affects those around him/her!   Bullying is one way of thinking more highly of oneself and looking down on the other person.  They are satsifying the flesh through bullying — that also is selfishness.  Taking drugs is another way of showing forth love of self.  The flesh is being satisfied through the drugs so no one else matters.

Yes, our nation has become a nation of self-lovers, but even more than that, if you look at the other countries of the world you will see the same issues!  In the end, due to our depraved nature, we can say that mankind are lovers of themselves.

To be continued…

President Obama

Today, we have seen history made in our country.  This is the first time that ANYONE of black descent has ever made it to the presidency in America!  This is both exciting and disturbing.  It is exciting to see that even a person who is black (albeit only half-way there) can become a president and serve in the highest office in our country.  It is disturbing because the present president is very liberal in his beliefs.  We could very well see persecution coming our way because Christians do not believe (or should not believe) in the pro-choice, pro-homosexual, pro-sex, pro-do anything you want except take a stand for what is right.

On the other hand, we have been commanded to pray for our leaders so that we may live a quiet and peaceable life (1 Tim.2:2).  We are to remember that God is the one that sets up kings and puts them down.  The powers that are ordained within each government is placed there for the honour and glory of God (Rom. 13:1-2).  Whether they are a vessel of honour or dishonour is in God’s choosing but our responsibility is still to keep our leaders in prayer.  What will the next 4 years bring forth?  We don’t know…BUT God does!  He is in control in every situation and we can trust Him to do what is right, true, holy and just regardless of the situation.  May we be willing to continue taking a stand for truth no matter what the future brings…even if it brings persecution!

Charles Spurgeon

Morning And Evening

“I came not to send peace on the earth, but a sword.” Matt. 10:34

“The Christian will be sure to make enemies.  It will be one of his objects to make none; but if to do the right, and to believe the true, should cause him to lose every earthly friend, he will count it but a small loss, since his great Friend in heaven will be yet more friendly, and reveal Himself to him more graciously than ever.  O ye who have taken up His cross, know ye not what your Master said?  ‘I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.’

“Christ is the great Peacemaker; but before peace, He brings war.  Where the light cometh, the darkness must  retire.  Where truth is, the lie must flee; or, if it abideth, there must be a stern conflict, for the truth cannot and will not lower it’s standard, and the lie must be trodden under foot.  If you follow Christ, you shall have all the dogs of the world yelping at your heels.  If you would live so as to stand the test of the last tribunal, depend upon it the world will not speak well of you.  He who has the friendship of the world is an enemy  to God; but if you are true and faithul to the Most Hight, men will resent your unflinching fidelity, since it is a testimony against their iniquities.

“Fearless of all consequences, you must do the right.  You will need the courage of a lion unhesitatingly to pursue a course which shall turn your best friend into your fiercest foe; but for the love of Jesus you must thus be courageous.  For the truth’s sake to hazard reputation and affection, is such a deed that to do it constantly you will need a degree of moral principle which only the Spirit of God can work in you; yet turn not your back like a coward, but play the man.  Follow right manfully in your Master’s steps, for He has traversed this rough way before you.  Better a brief warfare and eternal rest, than false peace and everlasting torment.”

This is definitely true because when you take a stand for truth you will see many turn away from you.  You will see sometimes even your best friend turn on you!  This has happened to us before and I expect it will happen again.  When a person is no longer willing to do what is right in God’s eyes then they will turn on their best friend if that friend is still doing what is right in God’s eyes.  In the end, the peace that comes from doing what is right is a whole lot better then the guilt that comes from following your own path.

As we see the New Year come in let us, as true believers, seek to do what is right according to the Word of God with His help and not in our own strength!

The Desert Pastor’s Brief Apology

Not too long ago the Desert Pastor posted a music video by Phillips, Craig and Dean.  One of his fellow contributors from Defending Contending shared with him that they were Oneness Pentecostalism which is teaching of heresy.  After finding beliefs from them that went contrary to the Word of God, he felt it necessary to apologize for posting the video.

He posted this both on Defending Contending as well as his own blog. There was much discussion that came from this with some people agreeing and others disagreeing. The Desert Pastor was faithful to back up his decision with Scripture in the comments section as there was some disagreement about his apology. His desire was to show forth true worship of God. Feel free to visit both his site as well as Defending Contending site.

The Desert Pastor’s A Brief Apology
Defending Contending A Brief Apology

Conclusion of Series on Worship

The following is an excerpt from The Desert Pastor’s conclusion to his series entitled, “Which God Do You Worship??” This was a 10 part series and you can find it by going to his site at The Desert Pastor.

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“Let us conclude this short series by considering a few answers to these three questions. Our churches today are full of lost, unregenerate people who are headed for a Christ-less eternity. Yet, it is not difficult to read past history to find that when the Word of God was preached in its entirety that lives were changed. Ministers stood to give forth the Word and would address the minds of those who were sitting in the pews. They would encourage the listener that if they had ears to hear, that they (the listener) should be attentive to the Word and show forth fruits of obedience. The preacher could stand and preach for 2-3 hours and the people returned week after week to be convicted of their sin once again.”

Standing for Truth

There is such a need for men to take a stand on the Word of God. I have noticed many who use their blogs to take a stand for truth and for this I am very thankful! There is a great need of prayer for these men! There is also a need for many women who would be willing to take a stand for what is right! We need women who will be willing to teach others, we need women who will pray, we need women who will follow the narrow path! One day there will be no freedom within America. I have found that there are so many more women willing to bury their head in the sand and pretend nothing is happening but, Ladies, let’s wake up and smell the roses! We are fast losing our freedom. Have you put on the armour of God? Do you realize that we are soldiers in the army of Christ?

This is not a hospital where we hold each others hands and lie limply on the bed in hopes that suffering will pass us by! If you are a true believer then you WILL suffer persecution. Philippians 1:29 says, “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,” Do not be surprised if other women and men begin to say evil things about you. This will happen and we should expect it.

Do not think that life should be all about yourself and what you can get out of it but realize that “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” Eternity is just around the corner so let’s use up our lives for the Lord.

I used to wonder why David Livingstone, Hudson Taylor, and many of the other famous missionaries worked so hard and died so young. I begin to see a glimmer of the reason why. Christ didn’t come to be ministered to but for Himself to minister to those around Him. Let us seek to minister to others even in the midst of life getting in the way, even in the midst of hardship, even in the midst of pain. I realize some have little ones and need to care for them yet how many times do you talk on the phone with friends? Do you bother to share with them what the Word of God says? Do you encourage, rebuke, exhort, or witness whenever you can? Of course, this doesn’t mean that you overwhelm people with the Bible but if they ask a question you can answer it with Scripture. If they complain to you about things you can encourage them with Scripture. There are normally enough open doors that you can take advantage of.

“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine,” Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2. Granted, he was talking to Timothy but we also need to be instant in season and out of season. We need to be willing to reprove, rebuke, exhort and witness with all longsuffering and doctrine. So, guess what, Ladies! This means lots of time being willing to read and study the Word of God so we know what it says and we can teach other ladies what we have learned from God’s Word. Remember, STAND FOR TRUTH!