Am I at Odds?

Matthew 10:21-22 - Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 

The Bible teaches that if we follow Christ we will be at odds with those who do not understand the meaning of receiving Christ. Matthew 10 above explains what could happen.

One might wonder, if that is the case why would we choose Christ over others? How could that be a decision one would want to make? I keep coming back to where in the Word it says the road is narrow when we follow Christ. Believers are often considered narrow minded. We stick to the same story...Jesus saves. Do we believe Him and what He says or do we believe the world? There are few, in the grand scheme of things, who actually understand receiving Christ for our salvation and taking a firm stand to do so.

How much do we love someone? Do we love them if we don't want them to know the truth? They can still reject it; at least we have done our part. They can reject the scripture that says Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1John 2:15) That's up to them.

First we need to recall that God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever (that includes all people: all tribes, tongues, religious beliefs and nations) believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) God so loved...Jesus so loved...By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1John 3:16) 

These scriptures are the truth of God's Word. They should be our foundation if we call ourselves Christ followers. Many can say they are Christians because they are of non-Jesus believing faiths...their faiths are in a rock or statue or oppression and power.

Second, remember, Jesus was not liked by all people He came into contact. The death that He went through is like (but nowheres near) the rejection we might, or do, go through. It happens. We must accept it. It's the end result that matters. We must endure to the end. We must not change our tune.

Look what sorta sums it up right there...we also ought to lay down our lives...not necessarily giving up our lives unto physical death but giving up our SELF and doing as God desires we do...preach the Gospel, in season and out...not being concerned what others will think...because it is the will of the Father. God gave, Jesus gave, we should give.

All this love and giving, while some will not receive it, brings eternal life...in Christ. The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me. (Matthew 11:5-6)

Oh, that my lips would speak my thoughts!! As the scripture below states, so is our message to the world...or anyone who will listen. I can tell you stories.....wanna listen?

John 3:17 - For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 

Denying Christ

Mark 14:30 - Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”

Sort of an odd scripture to start this blog. But...how many times does one deny Christ? If Peter could do it, can't we? How is it done?

I blog because I write better than I speak. I started years ago to put my thoughts of what God was teaching me in writing. As a friend recently said, it's a way to help me learn. Didn't I learn a long time ago that if a person writes something down it sticks better in your memory. So....

My thoughts just run swiftly to my fingertips. My husband gets pretty upset because of how fast I can type. "It's not fair," he says! Sometimes my thoughts on paper are much clearer than my words, too. I get too easily backed into corners without ways out. I know I have the answers in my mind but it's like my mind shuts off when it's time to say them aloud. I can lose arguments easily. So I write. I get my thoughts down without interruption!

While I might be wrong at times in my understanding, I am standing on the Word of God. When we are followers of Christ we are called to be witnesses...in word and deed. I sometimes think I fail in the deed part of that command. And I suppose if I fail to speak the words, I may have failed there too. I don't want to say my writing is an excuse not to speak. I have on occasion been able to speak. It's few and far between, however. I can only say I believe this is a result of my being an only child in a dysfunctional home and finding it easier to hide in my room and not confront anyone or anything. I know should be over this, but there is something so very strongly linked to that I don't even want to go there.

I know we are filled with the Holy Spirit when we are saved. While I didn't know what was happening at the time because I was unfamiliar with God, I felt a sensation through my body, originating at my upraised hand the moment I received Christ. Who can dispute something like that if one hasn't heard about the Holy Spirit indwelling us at the moment we are saved? Later it was revealed what I experienced. I know that my writing would not be if it were not for the Holy Spirit's teaching, opening of my mind, heart and spirit, to God's words. But I sure would like this to be transported from my fingertips to the tip of my tongue!

 

What I'm getting at here is, for now, these written words need to be understood as my form of witness of Christ. Christ desires that none should perish. Without words in cyberspace through blogs or Facebook...or preaching, teaching, evangelism on the streets...people would not truly know Christ. It's just how one responds to what is written or heard. It's acceptance or denial.

I recently watched a YouTube video of a young man street preaching at a comic book convention where one knows there will be an onslaught of people coming and going. I was saddened for two reasons. One, it reminded me of my days before Christ when an old brown, beat up station wagon with scriptures painted in white from one end to the other and a speaker on top would drive up and down Wisconsin Avenue of downtown Milwaukee preaching "Repent, for the time has come to believe the Gospel." (Amazingly, I just recently saw this same old car...25+ years later parked at a fast food restaurant!) At the time, to me...and I'm sure many others...it was just plain obnoxious. My heart was so hardened to it all. How many times in those days did I deny Christ?

 

Two, I noticed the hundreds of people in the video who walked past this man and less than five shook his hand or gave some sort of sign that they agreed with him (or we assume they agreed). They denied Christ. It reminded me of the narrow road to life with few on it.
 

Many will be offended by street preachers. I was one of them. Many will be offended by any form of discussion about Christ, even in what I write...if anyone happens to read my stuff! But I tell you, the words of Christ and God are true. If we do not come to Christ and decide we don't need to or believe that we are good enough (and I certainly don't believe I'm good enough, because we can never be good enough, because we are all sinners), we are what He calls us: lost...because of our sin.

...for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. ...Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  ...The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel. ...unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luke 19:10, Romans 6:23, John 10:11, Matthew 12:30, John 3:3, Mark 1:15, Luke 13:3)

 

You cannot dispute what the Word of God says. It is the truth. 
 

All I want is to point people to Christ. It involves exposing our sins, which never feels good. But if a nerve is struck whether it be the first time or 100th time, repentance can take place and our hearts softened to receive Him as He desires us to...into a relationship with Him. Knowing Him in our hearts and spirits not just our minds. Some words may seem hard. They may be rejected as I described with the car and the street preacher. When things like these irritate, there is a denial of Christ.

 

The Apostle Paul was a man who basically denied Christ as Saul. He persecuted Him, was confronted by Jesus, converted and then preached the Gospel. The point is, he changed. Here's a list of sorts of those who might deny Christ. The time is today:

2Timothy 3:3-7 - 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! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

 

So while I don't often speak these words audibly, and I should, they are in my heart. We are warned. In fact, I would say I am in the category of denying the power God has given me. There is a narrow road and a small gate (Matthew 7:14) that leads to life. And like all those in the video who passed by this preacher, many will not heed the warnings, believing it is too much to ask or that their lives are too precious as they are to give them up to Christ. He gave His precious life up for us. How can we be so selfish? I speak to myself here, also. Do not deny Christ.

Mark 13:31-32,35 - Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning...

The First Step

2Thessalonians 3:1 - Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you.

My head is spinning. It was as if my head downloaded one file after another. And God was in the midst of it all.  

There's an incident occurring in my life. It does not pertain to immediate family, but it's close enough. People get old, begin to fail, cling to their independence and are just plain stubborn for that independence and with our families. It causes dissension and pain and arguments. Fear takes over and peace is disturbed, unhappiness and frustration abounds. Feelings are hurt and stubbornness from both sides can erupt. We need to know how to deal with these issues.

It's only through God's love, strength and peace in our lives that we can overcome these things. I've mentioned time and again about my Dad and our relationship and his Alzheimer's Disease. I don't know that I ever said this before though:

About six months before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's I did not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. I did not know Him. My relationship with my dad was nearly non-existent because of his alcoholism prior to the Alzheimer's. But God...knew what was about to happen across the board. He knew what I needed more than I did. And He knew just what to do. I am so grateful for that wisdom of His!

Five months before I learned about my Dad's disease, a miracle happened in my life. I was "introduced" to Jesus Christ and He changed a few things in me. This relationship I didn't have with my Dad turned into one. I could not, perhaps would not, have been overly concerned with his condition. After all these years of not knowing him, why would I think about it now? Such hard words and thoughts. But one thing Jesus did was change my hard heart into one that was soft. He turned any bitterness (which might have been pushed down) into forgiveness and compassion for a father I hardly knew. I was able to say without a doubt, "Father, forgive him for he knows not what he does." 

It wasn't always easy to be with my Dad because alcoholism created a difficult nature in him. That's why I avoided him. When I got wind of his Alzheimer's I got through it, not without pain or frustration, not without disappointment and tears, but through the strength that Jesus gave to me. And the peace that came with that. As far as I was concerned, God allowed my relationship with my Dad to be restored. He gave back the years that were stolen by his alcohol and He allowed me to love him like I had not been able to before because of the distance between us.

I received an email yesterday from one who will be involved in the "family" situation that is about to be unleashed. Yesterday a friend's blog brought up the issue of taking inventory of our lives in Christ. It prompted me to think about where I am. Am I where God wants me to be or am I floundering somewhere? Another friend sent me an email about something her pastor brought up in a sermon...giving up our own schedules to minister to others, showing Christ in our lives. Again I got to wondering where I am. Not where I want to be, I thought. I emailed a response to my friend's blog because I need to be accountable for my actions for Christ from this day forward. 

My plea to God as I responded to my friend's blog was: Lord, it's my first step [the accountability]. I'm at Your beck and call. Bring it on, help me to see the opportunities to speak. Wave them right in front of my face. Shout them in my ears. Shove them in my path. 

So I responded to the first email about the family situation. I described what happened with my Dad and all that occurred before and after that. It was while I was writing it that I realized I had just been given my first opportunity! I'd taken my first step.

Just before I got the response from the "family situation person," I was reminded about the Parable of the Sower! Seed can fall into different types of soil and depending upon which soil it fell into will determine the outcome of that seed. It can fall along the road where it is snatched up by birds and not able to take any sort of root. It can fall on rocky ground where it might take hold for a time but without moisture, as in a desert, it will just wither and die. The seed can fall in thorny areas where it is choked by the strength of the weeds. Or it can fall on good soil where it is nourished and has a chance to reproduce itself. Let me just say this. I realize not all words are received, sadly, because not all words are understood. That's in God's hands. The point is, I took action.

This speaking out may cost me. Time is getting short for us on this planet. Times are getting tense. Things are not like they used to be and things will not be the same. We can either complain about it or we can dig in our heels and work it out. We can accept it and muddle through or we can reject it and have our heads in the sand. The best bet, however, is to trust in God for all things. It's to look to Him not man or the situation.

All I know, and it's something that is generally understood by those in relationship with Christ, is we have to know where we are, who we are, what we stand for and what we can do as believers in Christ, as my blogger friend suggested. We need to be ready with the words to speak when others just don't get what's going on. We need to be strong and secure in our relationship with the Lord first and then help others to see where our strength lies. We have to be willing to share what we know...be a light in the darkness of the world. Jesus was the Light that helped me to see and part of our responsibility is to shine that same light to others. 

I've been removed for the past ten weeks recovering from foot surgery. That's not much of an excuse, but I do feel remote from people. This "captivity" is over as I'm released to be up and about with no restrictions, other than the rest I'll need after being on my feet more than I have lately. My prayer is that I begin this new year with an even newer heart and even stronger resolve to incorporate Jesus into my relationships with those around me. The first step is taking the first step. Sort of like today being my first unhindered step back into the world! It's having my senses alert to having a word to say. It's not about having a perfect word, but just a word. A word that hopefully would present an opportunity for discussion. If not discussion, thought. 

2Thessalonias 2:16-17 - Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

She Can't Lose

Colossians 3:1 - If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 

I received some bad news this week. My mother-in-law's caregiver has a mass about the size of a grapefruit in her liver, along with ten cysts. This all happened since July. Anyone who finds him or herself in this type of situation is definitely going to be filled with frantic emotions, one would think. It has taken me a couple days to process this and yet I can't understand it to the fullest because I'm not the one experiencing this.

Carla does not appear to be frantic at all. Why not? Because she is a follower of Jesus Christ. She is a strong believer. Perhaps she is in the denial stage, but I don't think so. When I looked into her eyes the day she told us, although she did not know whether it is benign or malignant, she had a peace that was unbelievable. There were no tears and no pain on her face. 

How can this be? I will share what she told me: "At first my thoughts were, 'Lord, I will be seeing you soon.'" She couldn't wait. She was excited and she smiled and she looked so content. She said after a couple days she sort of  "came to her senses" when she started thinking about her children. That could be her biggest concern. But she is not worried about death or even what she may go through in the process. 

She shared with me how she just can't imagine how she could handle this without Jesus. That is the comment so many make when in the midst of crisis. He is the firm foundation. No matter what the outcome is for Carla, and to be blunt here, whether it is life or death, she knows where her salvation lies. She knows His plan for her is for good and not for evil (Jeremiah 29:11). She has been raised with Christ in her receiving Him at some point in her life. She has sought those things that are above and she certainly seeks them today. She is secure and in death she will be wrapped in His arms. 

So what's so good about His plan if it is death? Carla and I talked briefly about this, about how in a crisis when one relies on the Lord for their strength, peace and confidence, something rises up within us and causes us to be "in the face" of others about how Jesus is in the midst of the dilemma. One can't help but expound on how Jesus is that strength and our confidence is in Him...no matter what.

I experienced this years ago. I was out of town when I was still working and a terrible thing happened. Without going into a lot of detail a man I met (for less than an hour of our time) died. He had a tragic accident while I was with him and although I was not at total peace while I was rushing for help, afterward I know Jesus was with me and gave me that peace that passes all understanding...which people noticed...and questioned...which prompted "witnessing." God even sent a "ministering angel" to be there when I needed it the most...a female police officer, a Christian woman...and we prayed together. God was so involved in the tragedy of that day. Let me add that although there was peace, I still felt sadness for this young man who lost his life so quickly...at age 30-something. To this day I wonder what "good" came out of it all. I know somehow God touched someone's life.

Without the true knowledge of Jesus Christ, without the presence of a living God, without His Holy Spirit residing in someone, fear, dreadful thoughts and worry can consume. But if one looks up, over and beyond the situation, and realizes that nothing surprises God, and remembers that He knows the beginning from the end, that He is the only One who can handle the situation, one can still have peace. 

Carla need not worry today about her children. I don't know their spiritual condition, but through her witness in this trial, they may realize where they need to be if they are not there. She has no control over them, but God does. There may also be many people she is in contact with in her family, with friends, people she takes care of and coworkers she can touch with the peace, love, strength and confidence that Jesus Christ has to offer. She agreed. There is a scripture that tells us we can plant the seed (of Jesus Christ), someone else can water it, but it is ultimately God who does the work (1Corinthians 3:7). She just needs to be obedient...now. She is in the midst of doing His work. 

I will pray for her daily. She is a dear, dear young woman. Yes, a positive end to this in the world's eyes would be wonderful. But I'm so thankful she is at peace with whatever outcome she is given. She is in a win-win battle. She can't lose. Of that we can be grateful.

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.