And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:59-60 (NKJV)
Many of us in this day are fearful of what is becoming of our country. It seems that what we know to be good is now judged to be bad and what we were taught is good is now bad. Truly, America and the world are turned upside down and it's not something we are prepared for. Never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined it only a decade ago.
Friends, many today mock us and want to destroy our religious beliefs, just like what happened in Europe in the days of Hitler and Stalin and, of course, in the days of Jesus under the yoke of tyrants both in the Temple and in Rome. Immorality, aberrant behavior by our Christian standards and falsehoods seem to be the rule of the day in many places just as they were in those earlier times, for evil has always been around to grab hold of all who are weak and refuse to believe. But instead of being fearful, we should instead be recruiting those who need the Word and pray for them while also making final preparations for His return. We need to stay at the ready at all times. After all, the Bible points to a time of evil on the earth before Jesus returns to rule.
Are we now nearing the Second Coming? We don't know since God has chosen not to announce the time. All we know is that when He sends His Son back to earth it will be swift and everyone will know He is Jesus Christ. And it is for us to be ready, insuring that our heart and soul are in the right place and that we try to prepare our earthly brothers and sisters for that time. It is our job as modern day Disciples to do all that we can to help as many as possible to see the Light through a life of goodness and love. And that is no easy task, because included is the requirement that we love those who hate us and that is sometimes a hard pill to swallow. But it is what is expected of us.
We should also take comfort in this. Whatever fate is to befall us on this earth, we are secure if we are in Christ because when all is done we will be at His table forever. And many others have faced what we might very well face: John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul, of course Stephen and many others in Biblical times. More recently, men like Dietrich Bonhoeffer of Germany, Richard Wurmbrand of Rumania and the thousands of martyrs going through pain and suffering around the world today. But remember, friends, it is nothing to compare with the pain and suffering that Christ went through for us, for as a Man and a God he could have avoided it. He knew, however, that His reason for being on earth was to save us from our sins and give us the opportunity for everlasting life. What an opportunity and what a promise.
So be strong, always speak up for Him and His goodness and light and the strength will be there when we need it. Until then, let's work hard to bring Him back to the center of all that we do and are both here in America and throughout the world for he is our salvation. Praise Him, always.
Many of us in this day are fearful of what is becoming of our country. It seems that what we know to be good is now judged to be bad and what we were taught is good is now bad. Truly, America and the world are turned upside down and it's not something we are prepared for. Never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined it only a decade ago.
Friends, many today mock us and want to destroy our religious beliefs, just like what happened in Europe in the days of Hitler and Stalin and, of course, in the days of Jesus under the yoke of tyrants both in the Temple and in Rome. Immorality, aberrant behavior by our Christian standards and falsehoods seem to be the rule of the day in many places just as they were in those earlier times, for evil has always been around to grab hold of all who are weak and refuse to believe. But instead of being fearful, we should instead be recruiting those who need the Word and pray for them while also making final preparations for His return. We need to stay at the ready at all times. After all, the Bible points to a time of evil on the earth before Jesus returns to rule.
Are we now nearing the Second Coming? We don't know since God has chosen not to announce the time. All we know is that when He sends His Son back to earth it will be swift and everyone will know He is Jesus Christ. And it is for us to be ready, insuring that our heart and soul are in the right place and that we try to prepare our earthly brothers and sisters for that time. It is our job as modern day Disciples to do all that we can to help as many as possible to see the Light through a life of goodness and love. And that is no easy task, because included is the requirement that we love those who hate us and that is sometimes a hard pill to swallow. But it is what is expected of us.
We should also take comfort in this. Whatever fate is to befall us on this earth, we are secure if we are in Christ because when all is done we will be at His table forever. And many others have faced what we might very well face: John the Baptist, the Apostle Paul, of course Stephen and many others in Biblical times. More recently, men like Dietrich Bonhoeffer of Germany, Richard Wurmbrand of Rumania and the thousands of martyrs going through pain and suffering around the world today. But remember, friends, it is nothing to compare with the pain and suffering that Christ went through for us, for as a Man and a God he could have avoided it. He knew, however, that His reason for being on earth was to save us from our sins and give us the opportunity for everlasting life. What an opportunity and what a promise.
So be strong, always speak up for Him and His goodness and light and the strength will be there when we need it. Until then, let's work hard to bring Him back to the center of all that we do and are both here in America and throughout the world for he is our salvation. Praise Him, always.
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