Jesus was talking with His disciples. The time He was going to leave them was drawing near. He warned them that a time was coming when those who would desire to kill them, would do so and believe they were doing a good service to God.
Saul of Tarsus, was one who arrived on the scene to do just that. He was a student of the Hebrew Scriptures and the Law, under the teaching of the Rabbi Gamaliel. He was a strict follower of the Law. He was very zealous in his beliefs. He truly believed that to follow God, he should persecute Christians. He hunted down Christians to imprison them or see them killed. That is, until the day he had a blinding meeting with Jesus on the Damascus Road. He would be called Paul after this life changing event.That moment with Jesus, would begin a world wide missionary ministry like no other. He went about teaching salvation and redemption of sin through the blood of Jesus Christ, and planting churches. Most of his writings were to the churches he began. He is responsible for writing thirteen of the New Testament books. Isn’t it amazing the often radical transformation that takes place when we meet Jesus? Old beliefs and condemnation pass away and all things become new, under the grace and mercy of Jesus.
Fast forward to the present. We hear and see daily evidence of the persecution, imprisonment and murder of Christians by those who believe they are doing their God a service. Think about that. I find it interesting and very unsettling that, although Christians have been suppressed for years in that part of the world, suddenly, that thinking has come here. Listen carefully to the conversations and questions being posed to those desiring to turn things down a different path for our country.
We stopped watching. We stopped listening. We let our guard down. We started slowly abiding the laws of the world. We allowed prayer to be removed from our schools. No big deal. It is just prayer. They can’t stop us from praying everywhere else. Let this pass. Need I say, we are on the way to losing far more than prayer in our schools, if we don’t stand up for Christian principles. Jesus knew two-thousand years ago, what would come against us.
As He sat there with His disciples, scripture says He looked up to heaven and prayed. He prayed not only for His disciples then, but those all through the ages, who would carry the banner of Christ. That prayer is worth our time to read and remember. It is written in John 17:1-25.
We are witness to things that would make us fearful if it were not for the comfort of knowing Christ on a personal basis. The time has come to stand for something or continue to fall for any and everything. That thinking process has brought us to a full on battle with evil. It is long past time to armor ourselves, pray like warriors and stand like David. Our Goliath approaches.
~ Scripture For Today~
John 16:2-3
2 They will put you out of (expel you from) the synagogues; but an hour is coming when whoever kills you will think and claim that he has offered service to God. 3 And they will do this because they have not known the Father or Me.(AMP) John 16:33 33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (NASB)
John 17:13-21
13 But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. (NASB)
John 16:33
33 ”These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (NASB)
~ Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! We have allowed ourselves to be blinded by world views. We did not want to rock the boat of public opinion and now the task ahead of us seems too great. Remind us again that You go before us and behind us. You are our defender. Your word says You will never leave us nor forsake us. Enable us to stand and be counted as warriors for Christ. Forgive us of the sin of complacency. In Jesus’ name. Amen.