The More I Suffer, the Freer I Become: Joy in the Fire! [podcast]
Forged in the Fire!
Liberty and Blessing
through Suffering
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:7
You have saving faith – and it’s on trial!!!! That alone is cause for celebration!!
“Adversity is the companion to every Christian on his way to paradise. The more difficult the path, the more joy for him who follows the LORD.” AW Tozer
Have you found more freedom through seasons of testing and trials?
“Your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest wounds.” unknown
Are you always seeking and in “the house of mourning” … or “feasting”?
Kingdom perspective: Ecclesiastes 7:2-5 What’s “better”?
“It is BETTER to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. 3 Sorrow is BETTER than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5 It is BETTER to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:2-5
Should the LORD’s children view suffering a curse or a blessing? Though God doesn’t author evil, He sure uses every trial, attack, and suffering to conform us to Christ’s holy image:
“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. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29
The LORD has predestinated that “all things work together for good to them that love God.” He didn’t say that He causes all these things but He does tell us that He works them all “together for good” to those who love Him – and those who truly love Him obey His command to deny self, take up the daily cross, and “be conformed to the image of his Son.“
“How much more crushing can you take? Until we know and truly understand, beyond head knowledge that we are less than nothing, we will not know that He is more than everything.” M.
Suffering for Christ’s disciples gives way to God’s blessings.
With this biblical truth in mind, that trusting and following Christ through suffering ultimately causes liberty in our lives, consider:
“For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7
“He that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.” 1 Peter 4:1
“The pressure in your life right now has a purpose. It’s not crushing you, it’s pushing what’s on the inside of you out. It shows you who you are.” unknown
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10
As we walk the narrow road with our LORD Jesus, suffering for righteousness sake, He will do 4 things in our lives – “perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
Have you ever prayed that the LORD would more deeply ground your life in Him? – Suffering will be included in His answer…. and so will PSSS… 1 Peter 5:10
WHAT is needed to be perfected, established, strengthened, and settled in the LORD? Answer: Suffering and continuing to worship, to trust, and serve God in it! (1 Peter 5:10)
The LORD is the Potter and we are His clay (Jeremiah 18:6). The purging, the stripping must occur in each of our lives. Even men like Joseph and Job had to be stripped.
“Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net. 7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment. 8 He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths. 9 He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head. 10 He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree.” Job 19:6-10
In the divine economy, the dead and burial always happen in order to bring about the resurrection (Isaiah 37:31; John 12:23). Such a phenomenon can be observed throughout the Bible, God’s people, and into the future glorious kingdom reign of Christ (Revelation 21, etc.).
In Psalm 105 we see a recounting of the work of God beginning with Abraham and into the life of Joseph and the captivity of His people in Egypt. In verse 37 of this chapter we see the season of resurrection beginning, unfolding
Ps 105:37—- “He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.”
This was the beginning of the season of resurrection for God’s people after their death and buried in the land of Egypt.
Paul’s thorn was a blessing…..
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
On Paul’s thorn, FB Meyer writes:
“We do not know what this thorn, or stake, was-whether eye trouble, or imperfect utterance, or some deformity in appearance-but it was the source of much suffering and many temptations. At first Paul prayed for its removal, but as soon as he learned that its continuance was the condition of receiving additional grace, he not only accepted it, but even gloried in its presence.”
The more we suffer, the freer we become! With this in mind, perhaps we will cease shunning and despising the sufferings we endure in this brief life and cry out to our Father in Heaven to use them to conform us to Christ’s image.
Idolatry will Damn the Soul
Are you bowing to the idols of our day? Is the LORD truly first place in your life – your time and treasure (money)? Are the affections of your heart set upon the LORD and Savior today or upon your own needs, desires, and life?
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me … Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: 13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: 14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Exodus 20:3; 34:12-14
Dancing in the Fire with the Fourth Man!
Remember in Daniel 3 when the three Hebrew children were thrown into the fire for refusing to bow to any other but the Most High God?
“And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. 27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.” Daniel 3:20-27
Notice that this passage reveals that “fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.” (v 23) For those looking on, this was bad news, right? It looked like these three men were done – dead! Remember, those who merely threw these three men into this raging fire died by just getting close to it!
Do you see the Gospel – death, burial, and resurrection – in this ordeal? After these three children of God were thrown in this violent fire to suffer (death), they “fell down” (burial), and then they were “loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt.” (resurrection) – “Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither.” (Daniel 3:25-26)
Did you notice that “these men were bound” and “were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace“? The people witnessed the resurrection power of Christ, the fourth man – the Son of God! – “Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?… Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
These 3 men were bound going in and free coming out of that fiery trial! At the cost of their own lives, they trusted the LORD who joined them in the fire and set them free. The only thing the trying fire did was to loose their bands and make them free!
The Three “Yielded their Bodies”
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1
Laying down our lives always causes fruit that glorifies God – the fruit that only the LORD can produce. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego laid down their lives long before they were hurled into the limelight to be killed. They were already dead. – “Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3)
“Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.” Daniel 3:28-30
As was the case with king Nebuchadnezzar and the whole kingdom of Babylon (the world), so has it been and is it when God brings victory in the lives of those who truly trust Him. It is a great witness when others – both saved and lost – see God bring you through sufferings with great joy! This is when people begin to say in their hearts, “Wow, I want what they have!” The supernatural work and grace of our God is clearly seen in His people when they are blessed to endure sufferings with great joy – a great smile – as they continue “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” In fact, following Christ, which includes suffering, helps us to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and” to “run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
The 3 Hebrew children of God were kidnapped and forsaken by their ruthless captors, but there was a fourth man in the midst of that trial, even the Son of God! Though all those around your forsake you, the LORD will stand with you, keep you, and “preserve” you to the end:
“At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:16-18
Our LORD has a plan to settle us, to mature, to establish, to bring His strength into our lives.
Notice that the breakthrough for these 3 Hebrew children of God came AFTER they suffered, not before. – “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, AFTER that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10
4 Benefits of Suffering for Christ in 1 Peter 5:10:
- perfect (mature, equip),
- stablish,
- strengthen,
- settle you
I call this the PSSS “secret” – like when someone says to you: “pssss, hey. Come here, I have a secret to share with you.” PSSS = Perfect, Stablish, Strengthen, Settle you!
Joy in the Fire
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4
Suffering is the occasion for the LORD to purify and bring you “forth as gold.”
“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
The Gospel key for you to ever remember and employ, is to continue to die down deep – to be dead and buried with Christ – and raised up by His divine power to please Him in abundant fruitfulness as you look for His soon return!
Learn to be grateful and verbalize your thanksgiving to the LORD! Get those hands up today and praise and thank the LORD for blessing you to suffer and for all that you have in Him who is your “exceeding great reward.” (Genesis 15:1) Praise Him today for the great mercy He has shown you! Ask Him to give you joy in the fire!
Remember that your Savior suffered immensely and yet is identified as the One who had more joy and gladness than any other (John 15:11; Hebrews 1:9). The Son of God came and lived sinlessly, suffered at the hands of wicked men, was crucified, buried, and raised again! He’s now reigning at the right hand of His Father in Heaven, making intercession for you to overcome all and to reign victoriously with Him forever!
All suffering and trials and tears will be for ever gone very soon, so enjoy them while you can! (Revelation 21:4; Hebrews 13:14).
The Blessing of Opposition | Persecution
For more on the blessing of suffering with Christ, study the life of Joseph in Genesis 37-50. | The Great Benefit of Suffering by F.B. Meyer | Bring it on Devil!
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Abiding
“Feed My Sheep” [podcast]
The Paramount Divine Importance of Nourishing the Saints of Christ
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Timothy 4:16
Nourishing Christ’s Sheep
“Feed the Flock of God.” 1 Peter 5:2
First, it’s God’s flock, paid for with the very blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28).
Jesus Christ is “that great shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20). He instructed us to follow Him and, in doing so, to “FEED my sheep” (John 21:15-17). Tending to the sheep of Christ’s pasture involves nourishing them with His Word, warning them, comforting them, and at times admonishing or rebuking.
Every single disciple of Christ should pray to be pastoral in heart and life. We are each to tend to our fellowship with Christ daily and to minister His grace to His people as we ourselves grow in His grace.
In this, we must ask Him to grant our hearts a kingdom perspective, not a local church attendance perspective.
Christ and the apostles were the salt and light every day. They had no building. They went to the people as did all the disciples upon being scattered from Jerusalem during persecution. “They that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).
“Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.” John 21:15
Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ name, please nourish my heart in Your truth, fill me with Your Spirit afresh, and use me to refresh Your saints. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17
To “feed” His sheep is to nourish, to perfect, to mature, and to equip them to do ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12).
THOSE who corral instead of preparing and launching God’s people into ministry WILL answer to the Almighty! They will have hell to pay. Their rebellion is more than obvious. They are the self-serving “enemies of the cross of Christ” Paul spoke of in Philippians 3:18-19.
Oh, and “ministry” is not cleaning the so-called “church” building or singing in the choir. Many have reduced “ministry” to something never seen in Scripture. True ministry would be to be involved in the Great Commission Jesus gave His people (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Acts, etc.). There were no church buildings to clean or choirs among the earliest followers of Jesus.
Feeding Christ’s sheep is so that they grow in His grace and DO “the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Leaders who are simply using, holding back the sheep for their own self-serving agenda, are the vilest of Satan’s pawns who make up the vast majority of leaders in today’s apostate modern church—and every honest Bible student knows it.
“For the LEADERS of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” Isaiah 9:16
Make no mistake: The false leaders of our generation are the greatest threat to the fruitfulness of the body of Christ and the eternal souls of all men. Jesus and the apostles and prophets perpetually warn us of such a threat!
God did not send His only begotten Son to come die so wicked greedy frauds could have a church business. Jesus told His servant elders to FEED His sheep. WHY? So they can grow and be fruitful in doing HIS work.
“FEED my sheep”
“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, FEED my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, FEED my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, FEED my sheep.” John 21:15-17
“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6
Helping Lay the Foundation
The ONLY foundation standing in the end will be obedience to HIS Word (Matthew 7:19-29).
IN HIS MERCY, God is shaking EVERY foundation. Read Hebrews 12:24-28.
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Articles
Mission Mexico Part 43
Had breakfast and coffee with brother Francisco and his lovely wife this morning. It was rich. He is a man of God’s Word for certain (Colossians 3:16). They brought a stack of Reina Valera Bibles which I am getting to our brother Juan who is going to the prison to minister next week. He will also be distributing the Spanish Bibles you sent!
“So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” Acts 19:20
“Hi Brother Todd, Praise the Lord! The Holy Spirit is moving powerfully saving hearts and lives. Praying for the elders and for Maria as they go out in the harvest field. My heart is over flowing with gratitude to the Lord. Supplying the needs for the Mexico mission field! I loved all the pictures and videos. Thank you Brother Todd for the updates and for doing the mission work God has you doing there. This report has blessed me with Joy as I sow into the mission field for Jesus! Maria has Joy that comes from serving Jesus! I will send a gift to help pay for the shipping of Bibles. Hallelujah! Praying for you and the mission field! Joyful, joyful we adore thee! Ps. 16:11.” Darlene | Mission Mexico
EVERY TUESDAY IS MARKET DAY AND one of the first people who received the ministry of God’s Word today was Francisco and his wife Brenda. They are born again disciples and seeking God, studying His Word daily. Francisco took a supply of JESUS tracts and told me he has a supply of RVR (Reina Valera) Bibles he has been desiring to share with us to distribute. So we are scheduled to meet with dear brother and evangelist Juan this Saturday. Francisco is bi-lingual and so it’s going to be a blessing to see him and Juan connect and fellowship!
Francisco wants to give brother Juan lots of Spanish Bibles etc., to pass out daily and in the prison ministry he has.
We had a lengthy fellowship and Francisco said that this is exactly what he’s been praying for—the opportunity to truly minister to others and to do so with other saints. From what I could tell, seems like he’s fatigued with the church world, the modern church and it’s lukewarmness.
There’s not even a slight chance any of these connections are by accident. God is ordering the steps of His beloved people (Psalms 37:23). The LORD is hearing your prayers (Matthew 9:35-38). Your love offerings are also the fuel of what HE is doing!
Brother Francisco wanted to be added to the Spanish Whatsapp group and so he was already added and is being greeted by the others in that group.
“Isn’t our God so amazing to orchestrate all of this so you could meet this man and His wife—leading and placing you exactly where He wants you? What a blessing to meet these precious people. Now we can help this brother Francisco in doing Christ’s ministry work. God knew along. A divine appointment!” Karen Cochran
Here below are a few pics of what Francisco sent me just after we fellowshipped.
“Many Americans believe they are rich and in need of nothing. But inside they are in a spiritually wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked state (Revelation 3:17). Worst part is they don’t know it or seem to care. Compared to Mexican’s who CRY when they receive a Bible or a Jesus tract, who know how spiritually poor they are and how much they need something outside of themselves to fill their empty hearts (Matthew 5:3). The difference is staggering.” Karen Cochran
Thank you for lifting a prayer for the beautiful people of Mexico.
Rene received the ministry of God’s Word today and is welcoming your prayer for his life.
Jesus is LORD, Savior, and King.
Of the many who heard God’s Word today, most of them were informed in Spanish that “Hell is forever. Repent and receive Christ today, before it’s too late.”
KINGDOM BREAKING!
FLORIDA: Dear sister Teri preached Christ’s glorious Gospel to this beloved woman today and she repented and received JESUS! They called and we welcomed her into Christ’s kingdom, etc. Her name is Lady and she is originally from Haiti.
Would you like to lift our new sister in Christ to God in prayer? Please do!
The reason why I have prayed and sought to connect with a good fellowship here is for the Spanish language that I do not know. And also so people we contact through evangelism on the street in real time can have a pastor or minister to call who speaks Spanish.
I want to put their name on the back of the JESUS tracts. Working on getting brother Juan to agree to let me put his name and number on the back of the next batch of JESUS tracts
The following is from brother David Taylor:
“Dear brother Todd, praise the Lord for His provision. Let’s pray for two more to work in harmony with bro Juan and that the Lord would knit their hearts together for the gospel of Jesus, the souls of men and glory of our God.”
Thank you for lifting up those receiving God’s Word in Mexico.
So far today, many have readily received our LORD’s Gospel truth and specifically, as they were told, that hell is for ever. Please don’t go there. Repent and receive Jesus today.
God be praised.
“Every time I hear of these divine appointments and how hungry people are in Mexico, I get tears in my eyes! I watch videos of people preaching here in the USA on the streets and some get literally beat up. People here just believe they are good and in need of nothing, especially not God. It’s so refreshing to see people who are poor in spirit and hungry for the Lord! May the LORD bless you and all who minister to these precious people.” Karen Cochran
Food Prices in Mexico
On Thursdays, I usually get out and eat breakfast and drink a coffee and get lots of ministry catch-up type work etc. done……
This morning at my favorite local French cafe and bakery: Five-egg omelet with fresh spinach, onions, tomatoes, bread, avocado and a top shelf cappuccino …. $12.70 total, and that included a 20% tip.
Rentals in Mexico
RENTALS – you can ALWAYS find an inexpensive rental…. just move to the town you wish to be in, connect with real Mexicans, and tell them what you need. DONE.
View from the barber’s chair.
“Praise the Lord ! She is shining for Jesus! Overflowing Joy! It’s a blessing to see how God is moving in the ministry, Mexico for Jesus, Glory to God!!” Darlene
We went to see and support Maria this week, twice. She as usual had run out of tracts. So she was replenished. And the smile burst out on her face again. She was a bit drooping before that And she went at it with those tracts soon as they were put in her hands. And she wanted one box more and several bags full. Juan came and got the other boxes of Spanish Bibles last week also. Boom Jesus.
Dare I add that more than half the 10,000 JESUS tracts are already out there saints!?
Thanks for praying fervently.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
Mission Mexico – See more here. | Give support here. Many options
Download. Read. Print out your supply of the JESUS tract – English and Spanish.
America
IS AMERICA DOOMED? To Stay or to Go [podcast]
Great Commission Evangelism
“This message (podcast) sure nailed the state of America. Rotten to the very foundation. God’s judgment and fury is falling! His very name is being mocked! As so-called Christians participate in and celebrate what He calls an abomination (Leviticus 18:22), and teaching this to children! Where are the parents? Why are they not standing up for their kids? Why are they not pulling them out of these indoctrinated government run schools? Because the men are weak (Ahabs) and the women are Jezebels and busy working. So the children are left on their own. It starts at such an early age they do not know it is happening. No biblical foundation is why kids are murdering kids! No sense of right or wrong anymore. We are a cursed nation because we have deviated from the standards of God in rebellion and disobedience! God will not bless anything that is abomination to Him.” Karen Cochran
Does the unchanging LORD still allow persecution and for His people to be “scattered abroad”?
“And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.” Acts 8:1-8
Persecution had hit Jerusalem and Christ’s saints were prepared and “scattered abroad” to go and preach Christ’s Gospel to the world.
Concerning people being “scattered abroad,” one source notes:
“Scattered abroad is a common biblical phrase primarily known from the King James Version (KJB) of the Bible. It describes the physical dispersion, spreading, or migration of a group of people. The concept holds both historical and theological significance, typically representing:
- Divine Judgment and Dispersion (Old Testament): In Genesis 11, God scatters humanity across the face of the earth and confuses their languages after their rebellion at the Tower of Babel. It also refers to the exile and historical dispersion (the diaspora) of the Israelites for rejecting God’s covenant.
- The Spread of the Gospel (New Testament): In the early Christian church, intense persecution in Jerusalem caused believers to scatter throughout various regions. Instead of destroying the movement, this dispersion inadvertently spread their message. For example, Acts 8:4 states: “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”
- Encouragement to Believers: In the New Testament, the opening of the Epistle of James (James 1:1) is famously addressed to the “twelve tribes which are scattered abroad,” offering pastoral comfort to Jewish Christians facing trials in foreign lands.”
Any nation that is even discussing whether or not there are more than 2 genders is doomed.
Does God desire to scatter abroad, to spread His people across the world?
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20
The LORD would never bless a nation that glorifies what He condemns. ANYONE who thinks America is or will ever be blessed without repentance…. is extremely gullible and deceived. Sodom! Ezekiel 16:49-51
“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” Leviticus 18:22
A good thing to ask proud Americans who claim they are Christians:
1. “When’s the last time you personally led someone to Jesus?”
2. “How much time and how much energy do you spend trying in vain to “save America” or “Make America Great Again” compared to the time and energy you spend learning, studying, and meditating on God’s Word and doing it—as in the Great Commission?”
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21
Anyone claiming to be Christ’s and yet is not doing, is not obeying His Great Commission mandate, is not in the will of God.
PRAYER: Father in the name of Jesus, may Your people cry out to You today for the lost souls of fallen men for whom You sent Your only begotten Son to die (John 3:16-17). May we be blessed to cry out for that which most concerns You! In Jesus’ name.
As God looks down from Heaven…. here’s what He sees, here’s what breaks His holy heart ….
“Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?” Proverbs 15:11
SOUND LIKE THE MODERN CHURCH IN AMERICA?
“And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Mark 11:17
“11:17 Combining quotations from Isaiah and Jeremiah, He condemned desecration, exclusivism, and commercialism. God had intended the temple to be a house of prayer for all nations (Isa_56:7), not just for Israel. They had made it a religious market, a hang-out for shysters and racketeers (Jer_7:11).” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Recently lunatics went half crazy because some man threw a rock or stone at a monk seal. Yet no one is fighting for the right for precious innocent babies to live, to not be MURDERED in their own mother’s womb. America is under divine judgment and it’s not going to stop. It’s just getting started.
“Thou shalt not kill.” Exodus 20:13
“Fact: What the world celebrates, God hates!!
Fact: America as a nation will not be saved by God; only individual souls and families can be saved with the short time we have left.
Fact: The reason society has been overrun by the rainbow mafia in corporate America, in schools, and yes: even in ‘churches’, is because this God-mocking, God-hating nation has been given over to the filth they love above the holy God who gave us life.
Have a blessed day…” A disciple.
PRAYER: Father in the name of Jesus, may Your people cry out to You today for the lost souls of fallen men for whom You sent Your only begotten Son to die (John 3:16-17). May we be blessed to cry out for that which most concerns You! In Jesus’ name.
As God looks down from Heaven…. here’s what He sees, here’s what breaks His holy heart ….
“Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?” Proverbs 15:11
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