The Binds That Bind Us
These two links are other posts about the persecuted church.
https://thearrowpreacher.wordpress.com/2017/06/09/hiding-in-the-shadows/
https://thearrowpreacher.wordpress.com/2017/08/14/go-and-dont-die/
Hebrews 13:3 (NKJV) 3“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” The Holiday hustle and bustle has started as millions prepare this holiday season, Thanksgiving then moving towards our saviors birth in our CHRISTmas. We take for granted our freedoms to celebrate freely, even the term Christmas is slowly being replaced. The persecution by man has not yet become persecution by our government. Not every message is positive, but every message that comes from the Lord is necessary. “With great power comes great responsibility.”(Uncle Ben)We have a privilege in the Lords blessings, while many are not living in a place where they can pray, preach, or teach. Some places this is illegal and can end in prison, or even execution as the persecuted church is very real.
What are you wiling to do for the Lord? What is the mission the Lord has called you to do? We can ignore the truth but the denial is not a replacement for the truth, the only truth. The bonds that exists are very real but the Lord does not call to hear our excuses. The Lord makes no mistakes, and every calling comes with a cross to bare. How many have heard the call but created an excuse, Moses, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and even in the book of Acts, Ananias was called by the Lord to venture to Damascus to face Saul the Pharisee who persecuted and murdered Christians. Ananias was given a word of grace and hope from the Lord to put fear aside and baptize Saul who would be known as Paul. Persecution still happens and we are called to live in grace and as the body is in bonds so shall we remember and never forget the truth.
We are warriors for Christ. We are called to lift up the church and bare the burdens the body bares. Facing torture, persecution, death is a way of life and we cannot forget them. We must fight the cloud of darkness that creeps towards the West. The nature of this is very real, and we cannot remain close eyed to what is truly happening around us. We need Jesus Christ, and we must latch on to that hope. We must ask the Lord how we can serve and as we all have our own gifts, our own purpose God has for us. We as Christians can still allow Christ to shine through us and when we let go of our own excuses, let go of our fears, and allow the Lord to touch us with what we need to fight the fight, we can stand tall. Whether it’s a voice of God, the pen of God, the Spirit of the Lord, the calling is very real. Christ wants us to go, plant seeds, and trust Jesus Christ who calls us to work during the day. We cannot whither away in luxury, allow ourselves to become complacent in a peace that is a true lie. The peace is not that of a life without danger, but peace knowing that no matter what happens to our lives, or our own bodies, we find peace in Christ alone.
When we hear the life of those living through real dangers and maintains faith in the Lord, how foolish are we that we are so spoiled and easily swayed away from Christ at the first hiccup when life gets a little hard. Do not turn away from the Lord, no, turn towards our Savior and place your trust in the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. The truth is the journey is hard, and we are never promised ease or a life without troubles. The enemy attacks in the dark and attempts to create the divide, and as we’ve seen over the years of mankind, horrific events that have caused immeasurable amount of pain and suffering. The persecution of the Jews, the mass executions of the Christian people worldwide. We cannot forget them as we celebrate the birthday of our Savior. 1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV)10 “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” We renew our strength through the never ending waters of the Lord. Jesus Christ our king suffered so we may only suffer a little. We suffer in this life so when the final breath is taken we leave this fallen world behind for one of perfection. Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”
We can either choose to be bound in sin, living in suffering, or we can live in a bind under the blood of Christ that gives us eternal hope. We choose the bonds we live in, one of freedom, or one of suffering. As for me, I choose Jesus Christ, and I choose to be a warrior, and to never allow the great deceiver to gain ground upon me. He may attack but he can never break the bond that I have with my Father, and His perfect Son Jesus Christ. Never again do we have to be afraid of the emptiness of sin and the lies of the Devil. Spread cheer and remember this Christmas to be of joy, and yet to pray for those who live in persecution. We are one body, and when one part hurts, it hurts us all. Remind those in pain of the joys of Jesus Christ, and never give up that hope.
The Arrow Preacher 