Welcome to our journey. The purpose of my blog is not only to journal our life experience, but also to share what God is doing in our lives. I do not claim to be an expert in parenting, marriage, or even the Bible. But I do have a heart to share my experiences and the true love that God has for each and every one of us. You can read our testimony by clicking on the top of the page. And if you'd like to know about the Homeless Ministry my husband started, you can click on the Homeless tab. I hope you will comment freely on my posts and in my community.



Thursday, August 19, 2010

Persecution

When you set out to do something that honors God, the attacks will come. As you get closer to a breakthrough, the attacks will come. We often expect them from people we may perceive as our enemies, but sometimes they come from people closest to you. When you are doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord, many people will think it is backwards. We have been trying to live Christ-Centered lives and that means doing things that society doesn't understand. The ways of this world are not the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven.

God knows your heart and He will honor it. When someone persecutes you or tries to steer you off course, seek Godly wisdom. When I say Godly wisdom I mean someone who regularly seeks the Lord. Someone who has a close relationship with the Lord. Someone who is grounded in the Word. Surround yourself with Godly people. They are like the angels that God sends to protect us. We are blessed to have a large circle of Godly people whom we trust. We are intentional about spending time with those people. Iron sharpens iron. When we are going for wise counsel we always take it to the Lord as well. This is how we know because it aligns with what the Lord is telling us. Do you have those people in your life? Or at least one person. I can not tell you how important this is in your walk with Christ. If you do not, join a small group or a bible study. That's a great start.

Ever since Dave and I set out on this journey to seek first the kingdom, we have come against many obstacles. Some of them are straight from satan. Some of them are from people who are Christians. Some of them are from family or friends. And all of them God allows. He allows them to test us, to refine our character. This is a daily choice. We choose the path we take every day. Sometimes we can get off on trails that are not where God wants us to go at all.

Every day we have to decide from what we hear...is that you Lord or is that the enemy. If you are not sure, go to the scriptures. Pray! Seek Godly wisdom! Ask God to show you. It's amazing how He really does show up. Just this week I asked God to show me if I (we) are on the right paths. I asked Him to search our hearts. I asked Him for signs of His approval. And you know what? He did! This week has been a pouring out of His peace and blessings. Both in my personal life, work life and the ministry that my husband is working.

I just came off a great weekend of leading our church campout. Great things happened. Before any retreat or event, either myself, my husband, my marriage, my family or all of the mentioned come under attack. Here are some examples of past attacks. *My 4 yr old son get chicken pox the day we're leaving for the campout. On Sunday, they were completely gone! *Last year while driving to the campout my back goes out on me. The pain was so excruciating I was screaming and almost had to pull the car over. *The day I was supposed to go to the Heart-at-home conference I came down with a really bad sore throat. I decided to go anyways. By the time I got there, my throat was fine. *Many times for no reason my husband and I would get into a huge fight. Now after about 15 minutes we realize what is happening. We can usually laugh about it. This actually hasn't happened for a couple of years, but it used to get us all the time. Those are happening less and less because I push through them. I don't let it stop me. So satan has to find new ways to try to stop me. This year before the campout it was the spirit of being tired that came upon me. Well, I don't know if that's what you actually would call it, but it was profound. I had no energy what-so-ever. I had no desire to speak or do anything. I didn't even want to go. Now part of it had to do with my surgery I'm sure. I'm so glad that I pushed through it. And of course, my most amazing hubby was wonderful. He did all the shopping, decided on our meals, helped packed everything, and did all the cooking and cleaning up for the weekend. Yes indeed, there was no fighting this year. ;) Thanks babe!


And now both Dave and I are stepping into another level of ministry. One of character building. We are going through the Potter's Wheel program at our church. It's an intense 2 year leadership program. Both of us have been praying and waiting for our time to go through this program for a few years. Our time is finally here. We officially start this weekend. I have complete peace and excitement about entering this new phase of our lives. I am excited to see how different our lives will look in 2 years. I am quite sure that we will be different people when we're done. How can you not be?

I would ask each of you for your prayers. If you are an intercessor and feel called to pray for us, please let me know. We need heavy coverage. We are praying against the attacks but some have already come. Satan shakes in his boots when we make great efforts to advance the kingdom of God. It's actually a bit funny because when you recognize that an attack is upon you, you also recognize that it means you are headed on the right track. If satan doesn't feel threatened he leaves you alone.

I believe that it's no coincidence that while my husband is leading a bible study on the beatitudes that this would be a time that we would lean on a passage right from that sermon.

Matthew 5:10-12 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Thank you Lord! We are thankful in all things.

If you have or are experiencing any type of persecution, I would encourage you to seek the Lord. Persecution can be something as simple as someone questioning your motives. They might question your motives for helping them or helping someone else. No need to argue with them. If your motives are pure, the Lord knows. No need to explain yourself to anyone else. Many people have told me that when you're in leadership, when you're in ministry, people will come against you. It's not a matter of "if" it will happen, but "when" it will happen. Pastors are constantly questioned and scrutinized. Managers and CEOs are questioned. Our soldiers, who risk their lives for us are persecuted. Missionaries who also give their lives are persecuted. The bible says it will come. No one is exempt. And it's ok. Expect it. Push through it. Stay strong. Let nothing move you.

These are two of my life verses:
Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58



"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life and place it before God as an offering. "The Message" Romans 12:1


3 comments:

  1. Christine, I am so happy to have come across your blog. This is by far one of the best posts I've read. I am there with you. I remind those who attack me(friends or family), "that's fine, Jesus was persecuted too, as you are doing unto me, so I know that I am walking on the path of Truth", because he walks before me always. If you go to my blog, you'll see on my sidebar that I have posted John 16: 17-20. When I read that, it gives me the strength I need for the day. I'll keep you & yours in my prayers dear sister. Remain strong in faith.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey Christine! Thank you for coming by my blog. I have enjoyed your's as well. I liked it when you said your husband was doing a Bible Study on the Beatitudes. For the last several weeks, that has been the subject of my church's Wednesday Night Service. I have always loved studying them. God Bless and stop by again soon. By the way, I am now following your blog.

    PJ

    ReplyDelete
  3. wonderful words of wisdom! keep writing. . and thanks for stopping by my bloggy-woggy! : )

    ReplyDelete

Please Leave a Comment