I am such a wimp! I get lied about, and I cry. I go on visitation, and I get nervous and "wimp out". I have to go without in the name of Jesus, and I complain. I suffer ANY form of persecution (always small compared to Bible times) and I want to give up. I am the modern day wimp of a Christian. Sad, but true.
A while back now I was smacked in the face with this realization. As I was reading my Bible one day, I was in Acts chapter 5, and I came across the story where Peter and John had been brought before the council, for the second time, on the accusation of preaching Jesus Christ when they had been told not to. After the long process of this and that and after being beaten, they were let go. The Bible says (v 41) "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing..." Amen!!! I was rejoicing with them! They were let go! Then I read on. "...rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." They weren't rejoicing because they had been let go! They were rejoicing because they had been taken to prison! Brought before the council (essentially the judge)! And then beaten!!!! I felt as if someone had smacked me in the face literally! It took me a second to get my breath back! What a convicting phrase! When was the last time I rejoiced because I had suffered shame (of any kind) for our Lord Jesus Christ? Then, after all of that, they went back out and continued to witness for the Lord. "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." (v 42)
To this day that is a lesson I am struggling to learn and grow in. I just recently re-read this part of scripture and was again struck with it and thought it would be a good piece to use for a "Sarah's Thoughts". I'm sure there are some of you who are better at rejoicing and suffering than I am. But even you struggle with it. And then there are you who are just like me. Struggle with it each time.
So go read this passage and gird yourself up for the battle ahead! For the Bible does say that we WILL have persecutions.
I challenge you! Rejoice!!!! And go out and witness!!!!
With Prayers,
Sarah
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AuthorHere you can read "Sarah's Thoughts". A blog by me! Just a little bit once a month, and here and there, about something the Lord is speaking to me about or focusing on a certain verse that I've found particularly interesting for some reason. You can also subscribe (below) to have them directly sent to your email. Just fill in your name and email and put "Newsletter" in the comment box. Also, please feel free to leave a comment on my blog to let me know what you think! I love hearing from you! Thanks! Sarah's Thoughts
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