I press on..

I press on…
Happy New Year to everyone! I pray that 2009 will be a year of great ministry for each of us and that God will help each one of us achieve everything He has placed in our hearts to do. The beginning of a new year is usually marked by some type of resolutions to make changes in our lives in areas that we have not experienced change to the degree that we desire. I recently ordered a book from a Christian company. The book was on sale because it was not considered first quality. I found the title and description very interesting and it really spoke a message to me as well. It said, “The Heavenly Man (slightly imperfect)”. I think this is an accurate description of a believer in Christ. We are seated with Christ at the right hand of glory yet we also live on the earth and experience an imperfect life marked by sin. We are all slightly imperfect. None of us can make a claim to have arrived and become everything God has destined for our lives. We are on a journey that is often marked with success and failure. We all have areas of our life that we want to focus on and see improvements. Our imperfections can be found in many areas of our lives: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social or financial. God is a God who can bring about changes in our lives in the areas that we struggle with our imperfections. We can look at our imperfections and despair and simply accept things as they are without any hope of seeing change or we can seek God and with his help follow a course that will bring about the changes we desire. We don’t have to accept things as permanent that we know can change in spite of how many times you may have tried and failed.
The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippian church reflected on his spiritual progress (3:12-14) and give us some principle we can put into practice to bring about change in our lives.
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be,* but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.*

Paul gives us some principles to follow to bring about change in our lives. The first thing he notes is that he recognized and admitted his imperfections. Paul had many successes in his ministry and to many people in his day and even in our day he was considered a spiritual giant. Paul had an accurate assessment of himself. He knew that in spite of his successes and growth he was not all that he should or could be. There were still areas of growth and change that were needed in his life. Change can only happen when we are willing to see ourselves accurately and indentify our imperfections. Most of us do not have a lot of trouble with this first step. But if you do have trouble just ask your spouse or a friend and I am sure they can help you identify several areas that are in need of improvement. When we are willing to admit our faults it opens us up to receiving help from God and his people. The person who hides their weakness and is not transparent with people will find it difficult to overcome their imperfections. Paul confessed to the whole church that he was not at the place he should or could be. He had not achieved everything God had for him. What area of your life do you want to see God work a change? Identify it, admit it, be open to God and a trusted friend to take it out of hiding so you can begin to make changes.
The second thing Paul mentioned in these verses was he was focused on a goal. Paul had a determination to not let his past failings or successes keep him from moving forward toward the goal. It seems in life there are two kinds of people, the floaters and the focused. The floaters just go with the flow, they let other people and circumstances determine their destiny. They have no plans, no real solid goals or ambition. They live from day to day, doing the same things over and over and that becomes their life. The other type of people are those who have a focus, those who set goals and live with a purpose and do not let their past determine their future. When we want to see change in our lives we must set aside the past, forget it, no matter how horrible or difficult it has been and focus on the goal that you have set for yourself. You may have tripped, fallen, been pushed aside, treated unfairly, dealt a bad hand, etc. and you can use that as an excuse to keep you from pursuing the goal that is before you. Sometimes we simply need to forgive ourselves for the failures we have experienced. Maybe you have had a relationship with another person go bad and you have been the one at fault or at least have been responsible for some of the destruction and you are now having a hard time moving forward with your life because you are constantly looking back at the failures you made. Our focus and our energies have to be directed toward the goal that we have set. Don’t waste your time or energy looking back, look toward the goal you have set.
I remember in Boy Scouts we had a class called orienteering. It was a class about using a map and compass to go from one destination to another. We had contests using our compasses to complete a course that was laid out for us. The goal was to get as close as possible to the final destination point that was unknown to us. We would typically be given a direction such as 279 degrees and a distance that we were to go such as 100 feet. Two things were very important. One, you had to plot a line to walk in the direction that you were given. To do this you had to use the compass and sight in on an object in the distance that was in line with the direction you were going to walk. Once you had your object marked you fixed your eyes on it and began to walk toward it. The second critical element was you had to know the distance covered with each of your steps. Each step had to be the same and you calculated exactly how many steps you would take to go the distance you were given. When you reached the destination, you were given another direction and distance. The people who set up the course knew exactly where you were to finish and the winner was determined by how close they came to the final destination. Goals in life will only be achieved when we keep our focus on them and take calculated steps to achieve them. Goal setting is important when you are serious about making changes in your life. A goal is really not a goal until you write it down and share it with someone. Putting it in writing usually means you have thought it through and know exactly what you want to achieve. By writing it down and sharing your goal with another person, you are taking the first steps toward achieving it. When you give it to someone else it becomes even more established because you are holding yourself accountable to that person.
Once the goal is set you will have to make changes in your life to achieve it. To achieve your goal means you will have to make changes in your priorities of how you use your time and resources so you can carry out the plan you have formulated or the steps you will need to take to realize your goal. Someone said that insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting the results to be different. The goal you have set must be worth the sacrifices you will need to make in order to achieve it. You will have to give up something in order to gain something more valuable than the thing you are giving up. You will have to discipline yourself to say no to many things that only serve to draw you away and steal your time. You have to form new habits to replace the habits that will rob you from accomplishing your goal. Old habits tend to die hard and we will struggle with them until we replace them with new habits. I remember working on an advanced degree in a distance learning program and the struggles I had at times with making sacrifices of my time and interests in order to complete the classes and write the papers for each class. To get my work done I simply had to say no to other activities, no matter how appealing they seemed. The things that I gave up were not things that I would never have the opportunity to do at another time, it was not like if you don’t go now you will never be able to do this. There were times when I gave in to the desire but you know you really don’t enjoy the activity to the degree you normally would because there is the little voice called your conscience that seems to constantly remind you that you are not doing the right thing. It really takes the joy out of the experience and the times when I made the sacrifice and spent the hours of reading, researching and writing always left me with a feeling of satisfaction and reward because I was moving closer to my goal of completing the degree. I think one of the rewards of having a goal and working toward it is the sense of accomplishment you feel each time you carry out the disciplines and complete the steps you have established to work toward the goal. If you are a floater or an undisciplined person you will probably never experience this type of satisfaction that is built in with progressing toward a goal. If you are a construction worker you understand the satisfaction one feels at the end of the day when you can look at the work you have planned and accomplished that day and feel good about it. As each day passes and the work continues toward the goal you gain momentum because you can see the end in sight and there is a great sense of accomplishment provided that the quality of your work is at the standard it should be. Set your goal, share your goal, set your priorities and make the sacrifices necessary to achieve the steps you have planned to reach the goal, these are the initial steps you will have to take.

The next principle that Paul mentioned is the amount of effort that will be needed to achieve your goal. Paul said “I strain to reach the end of the race.” In other words give it all you have until you reach the finish line. Most races are won at the very end when the competitors give everything they have as they reach the finish line. It is not the time to go into cruise control but it is the time to push yourself to the limit to make sure no one else gets the prize. The husband of my boss when I worked for the motorcycle program made a statement to me that he had read in a book which said that the last 10 percent of the work in achieving the goal will require 90 percent of the energy. I never really understood the statement when he made it because I thought that most of the energy is needed to get things started. But the truth of the statement has become more evident as I observe how things change and how people achieve their goals in spite of the most difficult obstacles that seem to always appear as you get closer to the goal. The last part of the race is usually the most difficult and if you want to finish in first place you have to strain at the finish line. If your goal has been to lose weight the first pounds come off a lot easier than the last pounds. Running the first mile of a marathon is a whole lot different than the 26th mile.
Survey of Gifted People
In 1962, Victor and Mildred Goertzel published a revealing study of 413 “famous and exceptionally gifted people” called Cradles of Eminence. They spent years attempting to understand what produced such greatness, what common thread might run through all of these outstanding people’s lives.
Surprisingly, the most outstanding fact was that virtually all of them, 392, had to overcome very difficult obstacles in order to become who they were.
Holy Sweat, Tim Hansel, 1987, Word Books Publisher, p. 134

Straining also implies that there is opposition or forces working against you. If you are involved in ministry you know very well that there are spiritual forces of darkness and demonic powers that are working hard against you. As you set out to fulfill a God given goal you have to also expect that these enemies will be working hard against you because they understand how accomplishing your goal will make you stronger in God and a stronger force against them. They do not want you to succeed and they will come against you to try to discourage and stop your progress. I believe the enemy has assignments against us and he uses demons as well as people to try to stop us. We have to recognize the attack, resist the devil and command him to leave us alone. He cannot usurp the authority God has given us as believers. We have been given power over the enemy. The devil is definitely an enemy who opposes us but sometimes we can also become our own enemy by making choices that go against our goal. We can become lazy or we can get our lives out of balance and push too hard to achieve our goal and cause damage to our physical body as well as damage to relationships we have ignored in the process.

The final thing Paul mentions is that a reward will be given to those who finish the race and have run by the rules. The reward will be based on the quality of your effort and your performance. God is concerned with how we have run the race not just that we have finished it. He wants us to finish strong and finish with a clean conscience. Our works will be tested by fire to determine their quality: wood, hay, stubble or precious metals and stones. Some people when they are given or take on an assignment or project never put their best effort into it. They complete the job but will not receive much of a reward. It is usually done late and the quality is not what they could have made it with more effort. If you set your goals you may as well put your best effort into it so that it will be something you will be proud of doing. When you take short cuts or use inferior materials or do not do quality work, it will show. You may have saved time, money and energy but the reputation that you will gain from poor workmanship will be remembered and will be a hindrance to you.
One problem that seems to come up in some marathon races is runners who start the race but take a short cut so they can be near the front when they finish the race. They wanted the thrill of victory without the agony of de feet! Many races now use devices that are laced to the shoe and when the runner passes checkpoints the device is recognized by a machine which verifies the runner has stayed the course. It is important that you give your best effort in achieving your goal so that you can celebrate with a clean conscience and establish a good reputation among those who are supporting or observing you. I think about Barry Bonds who set the record for homeruns but his record will always be marked with an asterisk because he used steroids to enhance his performance. He will never be able to fully enjoy the record because he failed to play by the rules.

I want to challenge each of us tonight to identify at least one area of your life that you can say that you want to change. Perhaps you want to increase your understanding of the Bible by reading through it in one year. Write it down as your goal: I will read through the Bible in one year. Share your goal with another person and ask them to help you by holding you accountable. You could do this by asking them to check on your progress each week via some form of communication. Break your goal into measurable steps. Maybe you will read three chapters a day or you can follow a plan that someone has already devised. Some people have a chart in which they check off the chapters read each day to help keep track of what they have done and what is yet to be done. A visual aid can help motivate you as you see the chart being filled in. I knew a married couple that set a goal to lose weight. To help motivate them they put a picture on the refrigerator of “the way we were.” Every time they went to get food out of the refrigerator there was a visual reminder of the goal they had set. Motivational speakers encourage people to reward themselves for achieving certain landmarks along the way. If you are working with someone to hold them accountable maybe you could be the one who sets the rewards for achieving goals along the way. A gift, a meal, public recognition among peers etc. are all things that can be incorporated into the program to help motivate people to press on. External rewards can be powerful motivators but the internal rewards and the satisfaction you gain by seeing the goals being accomplished will be the strongest motivational factors that will bring permanent change. Determine what you will need to give up or sacrifice in order to meet your goal. If your goal is reading through the Bible you may need to get up a half hour earlier than normal or give up a tv program or use part of your lunch time etc. Give up activities that steal your time and block off the time you need to dedicate to working on your goal. Establish the disciplines and make them become a habit. After awhile you will feel badly if you miss doing the disciplines and that is a good sign. Make your goal a priority in your life, keeping it in the proper perspective of your responsibilities so that when you complete your goal there are loved ones with you to celebrate with you. Give your best effort, don’t take short cuts or short change yourself from being able to celebrate with a clear conscience and a good reputation.
Paul’s words to us bear repetition and I would like to close with them.

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.

An audio file can be downloaded at:http://www.supload.com/sound_confirm.php?get=946150260.wma

Christmas Eve Celebration

Christmas Eve was spent with the DTS teams from Sacramento and Chico California who are here in Antigua on their outreach phase. We went to a homeless shelter that is run by God's Child project in Antigua. Each night the shelter provides a hot meal to 80-90 people and gives them a mattress and blanket so they can sleep in a warm and secure place. They also have showers and bathrooms that are available for their use. Christmas Eve is special to everyone in one way or another. I am sure many of them had memories of years past when they had a home or were with their family to celebrate with tamales and ponche. Our group was prepared with several Christmas songs that many of the people knew and joined in with us. It brought a smile to their faces as they sang the familiar tunes. The group also did a couple of dramas and a short message on the love of God for each one of them. We also prayed with people to receive Christ as Savior and also prayed for any who had special requests. A couple of the men asked for prayer to help them overcome their drug addiction problems. Many of the men present deal with sniffing glue as it is a cheaper way to get high. It was a wonderful night for all of us and for me it reminded me of Jesus being born in a shelter not made for humans but for animals. As hard as it is for people to accept help from a homeless shelter I think of how hard it was for Mary and Joseph to accept a lowly manger filled with smells of animals as the birth place of the Savior. Christ came in humility, lived in humility and died in humility a model for each of us to follow as we live in such a hostile pride filled world that rejects Christ as Savior. I pray that each day we will walk out our faith among people in need who truly desire to see Christ bring changes to their lives that only he can do.

Jesus: God's Indescribable Gift

Jesus: God’s Indescribable Gift
Christmas will be celebrated all over the world next Thursday. For some people it will just be another gathering of family and friends to eat a good meal with no reflection at all about Jesus. Other families will meet to eat and exchange gifts among each other with little thought or no thought about God’s most awesome gift to the world his Son Jesus the Messiah. Many of the gifts that will be given will be returned to the store for a variety of reasons, other gifts will be accepted but not really appreciated because they were not what the people really wanted. I remember when I was in Junior High and I received a gift from my parents that I did not want and I was so disappointed. My parents did not have a lot of money to buy lots of gifts and I am sure it was disappointing for them to see my disappointment in what they thought was something I would want and enjoy. I wonder how disappointed God will be this year when so many people reject the gift that he has given to them because they are looking for something else? I wonder how many people will celebrate Christmas and not even open up the gift God has given to them because they either have rejected him or are not even aware that the gift has been given to them?
For those of us who are Christ followers this time of year is precious to us because we understand how important and valuable the gift of Jesus is to each one of us. Paul the apostle lived many years of his life in opposition to Christ, a persecutor of believers in Christ because he had rejected Jesus as the Messiah and was waiting for another messiah to come to rule on the earth. His ignorance and doubt kept him from receiving God’s gift. But one day his life was changed when he heard Jesus speak to him and he understood that he truly was the Messiah and that the years he had spent in doubt, unbelief and rebellion against Christ were all a waste. As Paul embarked on his new life as a Christ follower he began to discover all the riches that God had given him in Christ. He was constantly overwhelmed by Christ to the point that he wrote, “thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” Paul could not even put into words the supreme value of this gift. Christ was everything to Paul and as you read his testimony in Acts and any of his letters you will see how much Paul loved Christ and how grateful he was to know Christ and how much he realized Christ had done for him.
In Acts 26 Paul in his testimony to King Agrippa recounted how Jesus spoke to him on the Damascus road.
15“So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16‘But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17‘I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18‘to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.
Paul had a revelation of Jesus. For the first time in his life he understood who Jesus was and that he was working against God’s will. Paul received the gift of revelation of Christ and this is the cry of God today for the world that they will receive the gift he has given to them that they will have a revelation of Jesus and know that he was and is God’s gift to mankind. Jesus is revealing himself to the world through the preaching of the gospel message yet 1/3 of the worlds 6 billion people have yet to have the message clearly presented to them. Paul had it right in Romans 10:13-15
13For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
14How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
It is in the preaching of the gospel that the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of the people to understand who Jesus is and what he has done for them. Paul had a direct revelation and there are numerous testimonies today of how Jesus is revealing himself to people in their dreams. I listened to a testimony from Larry Poland who is the founder of Mastermedia International which reaches out to decision makers in Hollywood. He reaches out to all kinds of people with all kinds of problems that are prevalent in Hollywood. One Jewish man was investing in global pornography industry heard a voice in the night directing him to 4 different Messanic Scriptures that revealed Jesus as the Messiah. He gave his life to Christ and thirty days later he met with Larry and withdrew his support of the investment in pornography. God wants the world to know of his gift to them and he is actively involved in revealing himself to a lost world. He is also calling each of us to be heralds like the angels who announced the birth of the Messiah to the shepherds. God’s passion is saving human beings from sin and its consequent death. This passion must also be our passion if we want to truly reveal God’s heart for people.
Mark Canada works with youth and young adults in Colombia, S.C. He has a passion for souls and boldly witnesses to the lost. He related one incident that I found very inspiring. He drove into his driveway and he saw two guys going door to door and he thought they were Mormons. He went into his house and prayed on his knees at his door that God would send them to his house so he could talk to them and share the gospel. The two men passed his house and when he finally looked out the door he saw them driving away in their vehicle. He took off running after them as they began to drive away. They stopped in the middle of the street and he approached them and asked them if they were Mormons. They said no we are selling vacuum cleaners! It was an awkward moment but he said, “I was wondering if I could tell you about Jesus.” They said okay and he shared the gospel message with them. How passionate are you about sharing God’s most precious gift with the lost?
Paul received his mission and purpose and that was to reveal Christ to a world lost in darkness. The revelation of Christ was going to increase in his life and Paul’s ministry was to impart this revelation of Christ to others. This is our ministry as well, to impart the revelation of Christ to others. This revelation should be increasing in our life just as it did with Paul. There is so much more of Christ that we can receive as we pursue him. Our relationship with Christ must become more intimate as we receive more revelation from Him. Is your relationship with Christ marked by increased revelation of him and from him or are you at a point of plateau or decline in your relationship with him? It is the revelation of Christ that will bring vibrancy to your relationship and motivate you to preach the gospel message that will turn people from darkness to light. Only Christ can liberate the lost from the darkness that they live in every day. Many of you here tonight can testify what God has done in your life to set you free from darkness. Physical darkness is a frightening thing but spiritual darkness is even worse. Have you ever been in a place that was totally dark? I was in a cave one day with a group of young people and our tour guide warned us that he was going to shut the lights off for a little while so we could experience complete darkness. I will never forget the sensation when the lights went out. You could not see your hand in front of your face. The guide said that after 15minutes in total darkness you will lose your sense of direction and you would fall to the ground because of the disorientation. This is the darkness that the world is in today; it has lost its way and is in complete disorientation. People are literally groping in darkness but many of them do not even realize it, they think it is normal. I remember when the lights came back on in the cave and what a welcome sight it was to all of us. We could see our way and walk without stumbling toward the exit of the cave. Jesus is the light of the world, he is the one who lights our way and helps us arrive at our destination. What an awesome gift God has given us in Christ.
This gift of Christ also turned people from the power of Satan to God. The whole world lies under the power of the evil one. All men are either under the control of Christ or the control of the devil. While in India I witnessed people possessed by demonic power. The demons took control of their bodies and their voices. They threw the people to the ground, caused them to writhe in pain and crawl on their stomach like a snake. One person said, “Do not say the name of Jesus.” The demons knew the power of the name of Jesus and they did not want to submit to him. I witnessed the power of the name of Jesus turning people from the power of Satan to the God. Only Jesus can set people free from demonic power. He has destroyed the work of Satan and rendered him powerless. Only Jesus can set men from the power of Satan and the power of sin. Only Jesus can liberate the soul of man from serving Satan. We live in a time when many deny the reality of a devil and demonic powers. Yet this is one of the main strategies of Satan is to make people think that he does not exist so he can continue to control and influence their lives. He is as real as gravity and everyone who is not under the power of Christ is under his power whether they acknowledge it or not. God has given us power over Satan and we must continue the mission He has given us of destroying the work of Satan in people’s lives.
The gift of Christ also brought forgiveness to mankind. God has built within all people a moral code. Everyone knows what others “ought” to do yet everyone violates this moral code. Consequently mankind has a huge problem of dealing with guilt. Guilt is probably the leading cause of many illnesses both physical and mental. Guilt is linked to sin, violating God’s laws and all of mankind has done this. All of mankind is born with a sin nature, it is part of our DNA we inherited from Adam. Only in Christ can we receive true forgiveness from sin. Christ is the only acceptable sacrifice that met the requirements of a righteous God that would appease him. Sin required a sacrifice. Virtually every culture recognizes that whatever god they worship must be appeased by some type of sacrifice. The Mayan Indians have a history of human sacrifices given to appease their gods. These sacrifices did not remove the guilt of the people. The only sacrifice that meets God’s requirements was Jesus who lived a sinless life and freely gave himself as the sacrifice to God for our sins. Only Christ can set us free from the guilt and penalty of sin which is eternal death and separation from God.
The final aspect of the gift of Christ Paul recorded in his conversation with Christ is the gift of the inheritance for those who believe in Christ. Part of the inheritance we have in Christ is given to us while we are living on the earth and part of our inheritance will be given when we get to heaven. While we are on this earth we are given the indwelling presence of Christ in the form of the Holy Spirit. This is the transforming power that is at work in each of us daily to conform us to the image of Christ. God is daily at work in us to impart His nature in us. Peter stated that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness.
3as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
In Christ we have everything we need, we lack nothing, God is not withholding anything from us to enable us to become like Christ. This is an exciting part of our inheritance as we witness God changing us from glory to glory. At times the process seems slow but God has promised that he will finish the work he has started in each one of us. God is with us, in us and for us! The other part of our inheritance will be received when we arrive in heaven. God is preparing a special mansion for each of us. In the Jewish wedding process after the official betrothal the bride and groom where not to see each other for a year. During this year the bride made her dress and prepared herself for the wedding day. She kept herself pure. Meanwhile the groom worked and prepared a house for his bride. When the father of the groom said the home was ready, the groom went to get his bride and the wedding ceremony took place. Jesus is preparing a place of his bride right now and he is eagerly waiting until his Father tells him it is time for his bride to join him. This is the inheritance we all anticipate, being united forever with Christ, ruling and reigning with him throughout eternity. When you think about other religious beliefs and what they promise they cannot compare too what Christians have waiting for them. The Muslim men if they make it into heaven will receive 70 virgins as their reward. If you are a Hindu you may be reincarnated as a cow or an insect when you die depending on how you lived on earth. I don’t know about you but these things do not motivate me to look forward to life after death. For the many people the life they are living right now is as good as it will ever be for them. Paul said that eye has not seen nor ear heard neither has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for us. Our inheritance will be greater than we could have ever imagined.
As we celebrate Christmas this year I pray we will remember the indescribable gift we have in Christ.
We have been given the gift of the revelation of Christ as our Messiah and Savior.
We have been given the gift of a mission and purpose to declare this revelation to others.
We have been given the gift of power over Satan.
We have received the gift of forgiveness of our sin.
We have received the gift of an inheritance now in the gift of the Holy Spirit and an inheritance as the bride of Christ and the eternal union we will enjoy with him.
We of all people have something to be celebrating this Christmas.

An audio file of this message can be downloaded at the following link:
http://www.supload.com/sound_confirm.php?get=1096356668.wma

Joseph:A model for men today

Imagine that you are the recipient of this letter.
Dear Abby,
I have really sad and disturbing news to report to you and I really need your prayers and advice as to what I should do. Last night my fiancée shocked me with news that she is pregnant! Abby, I am not the father of this baby, I have never had sexual relations with my fiancée and she even admitted that she had a relationship with another guy. It was a one night thing but that is all it takes to completely change a relationship. I felt betrayed by her, I felt as though I was talking to a person that I did not know and I never in my life expected this to happen. I am faced with a decision as to what I should do. I have lost trust in her and I am not sure I could live with the fact that she had a relationship with someone else when she had made a commitment to a future with me. I am angry and upset and I ask for your prayers for me during this trying time. I really loved her but now everything has changed and I don’t know what I should do. Please pray for me!
Joseph
This very well could have been a letter written by Joseph. Tonight I want to look at his life and walk with him as he faced the news bomb that Mary dropped on him and find out how he dealt with it. We live in a culture in Guatemala that in many cases venerates Mary the mother of Jesus but does little to honor Joseph. Joseph is a great example for us as we look at his life we will discover that he was truly a man whom God could entrust one of the greatest responsibilities in the world. Joseph was a man like us who faced some incredible challenges but he possessed a character that is marked by integrity, humility, obedience, responsibility and faithfulness.
Joseph came for a royal background but you would have never known it by his occupation as a carpenter. He was a descendent from King David. He had a heritage he could be proud of and I am sure he was surprised when he looked back and had understanding of Jesus being the promised Messiah that he was the last link in the chain. Through him the prophecy was fulfilled that was spoken to David many years previously. But at the time of his engagement to Mary, he did not know that God was going to use him to rear the Messiah when he came to the earth to fulfill his mission of salvation. When Mary announced she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit, Joseph’s head must have been spinning. He did not know what to make of this announcement, it seemed unreal, unbelievable and in his own thinking and after a pregnant pause, he determined that it was better to break off the engagement which was equal to a divorce to spare himself the embarrassment of his fiancé’s pregnancy. Joseph could have broken the engagement in a public ceremony which would have brought shame to Mary. The Old Testament Law would not have been merciful to Mary, she would have been viewed with contempt if people found out she was pregnant.
There were 3 phases to a relationship between a married couple. The first phase was the engagement. This was usually arranged by the parents or a matchmaker and could happen when the two parties were very young. Before entering into the next phase of betrothal the girl could choose to not go through with the next phase. If she chose to be betrothed to the man and entered into the agreement it was considered binding.
.” They were engaged (betrothed) before two witnesses. The man would give the woman a present; her father would pay a dowry. If the man died, she would be called a widow. If the woman died, he would be called a widower. If the engagement broke up, it would be called a divorce. During the time they were engaged, they were called husband and wife. While they were engaged, they were to be virgins and they were to have no sexual intercourse prior to marriage. The engagement was to last one year and then they were to be married. If a woman became pregnant by another man, she could be stoned to death. Eduard F. Markquart
Mary’s announcement to him was hard to take and I am sure he wondered about her fidelity and faithfulness to him. He may have felt betrayed by the women he loved and wondered why she would go through with this act of adultery. What did he do that would cause her to have an affair with another man? Really what kind of woman was Mary? All of these questions and disappointments filled his thinking and the only option he saw was to divorce her, cancel the engagement and wedding. I think most men would have felt the same way if their fiancée announced she was pregnant and you knew you were not the father. It is obvious that Joseph was a man of morals and high standards. He was a man of integrity who lived out what he believed. I think his initial response to the announcement of Mary’s pregnancy was one that reflected his high morals and concern for obedience to the law of Moses. Our world today at least in many countries does not think badly of a woman who is pregnant before she is married. In the USA 80% of the children born to black mothers are born into a single parent family. In Sweden 80% of the people living together do not marry yet see no problem having children in a non committed relationship. I remember growing up that when a girl became pregnant before marriage it was not looked upon favorably, there was a certain shame that went with it because there was a standard of morality that people held to that did not approve of pregnancy before marriage. Joseph was from the old school of morality and he could not envision marrying a woman who was pregnant by another man.
We see in Joseph his compassion for Mary. He could have made a big scene about her pregnancy but he gave preference to divorcing her privately with 2 witnesses as was the custom. I see Joseph as a hurt man yet a tender man who did not want to make things more difficult for Mary. He was obviously disappointed in what had happened yet he chose to end the relationship with the least amount of damage to her. How different that is from what we see and read about when relationships end today. Often it is not done peacefully and there are usually accusations and harmful words and actions that leave deeper wounds than already exist.
God understood where Joseph was at in this dilemma and he sent an angel to him in a dream. The angel said,” Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people. (Matthew 1:20-22)
This message is exactly what Joseph needed to hear to calm his fears and doubts. We see the loving-kindness of God in the visitation of the angel and in the message delivered. It seems a little strange to me that God would speak in a dream to him rather than send the angel to appear to him like Mary experienced. Mary had no doubts that she had seen an angel but it would seem that a dream would not be as certain. I have had many dreams that were very vivid but I am glad that they were only dreams and not reality. I would have died a long time ago and horrible things would have happened if they were true. Yet God must have trusted Joseph to know that he would believe the dream, that the dream would be strong enough evidence to cause him to change his mind about the divorce. Joseph must have been familiar with the Old Testament stories of angels appearing in dreams to convey a message from God. Joseph had faith in God and he knew God had sent the angel to him to instruct him regarding his decision. Someone once said big decisions need big guidance and confirmation. This was one of those big decisions that really needed big confirmation. It is an encouragement to us as we seek to follow the Lord and are faced with big decisions that have our head spinning at times. God understands what we need to guide us and he will be faithful to give us the confirmations that we need. When the angel addressed Joseph he reminded him of his heritage by calling him the son of David. This was the lineage of the Messiah and Joseph needed to be reminded of it. The angel explained the pregnancy of Mary and assured Joseph that the Holy Spirit was involved just as Mary had said. His greatest doubt and fear was calmed and Joseph could proceed confidently and not have to worry about what other people may say or think. God settled the issue in his mind and Joseph could move forward with his life with Mary. The angel also instructed him what to name the baby. Naming a child is an important thing for parents. I remember looking through name books for my daughter and trying to think of a name that had significance, not just one that sounded good or was popular at the time. The name that Joseph was to give would become the most powerful name on earth. At his name every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. At his name demons will flee, at his name sickness and disease will be healed and the dead will rise and salvation will be given to all who believe in his Name. What a powerful and wonderful name Joseph would have the honor of announcing to everyone.
When Joseph woke up from his dream he immediately did what the Lord asked of him. He brought Mary home to be his wife, to care for her and this Messiah who was forming in her womb. He no longer rejected her but he embraced her and came along side the sovereign work of God to bring salvation to his people. How exciting it must have been for him to watch Mary grow and know that the baby was the long awaited Messiah.
Joseph was a man of humility. We do not read of him making great boasts about what God was doing through Mary and him. We do not read of him defending himself or hiding Mary from public view. He was a humble man who walked in obedience to the Lord. I picture Joseph as a faithful husband, tenderly caring for his wife and the child being formed. He worked his job as a carpenter to be a faithful provider for his wife and child. I see Joseph as a man of responsibility who took seriously his role as the father of Jesus. He was a humble servant and a loving husband to his wife. Joseph had an important role to play in the life of Mary and Jesus. He was not going to be the star, the attention would not be focused on him but that was not important to him. His desire was to be obedient to the Lord, to care for his wife and be a provider for his family. Joseph had deep respect for Mary and for the Lord as witnessed by his self control to keep his wife a virgin until Jesus was born. He did not want to interfere in what God. The word on the street was most likely that Joseph had gotten Mary pregnant. But Joseph knew the truth and he was willing to accept the false accusations while maintaining a pure relationship with Mary. This is pretty extraordinary if you ask me. Newlyweds who have kept themselves pure look forward to consummating their relationship. Yet Joseph and Mary were given the grace to be able to wait until Jesus was born. Joseph is a model of self control. He understood what was at stake. He saw a greater mission and cause than satisfying his own personal needs. When we walk in self control we are able to give priority to the things that are most important and we are willing to lay down our own personal desire to be able to fulfill the most important mission. Self control and self discipline are two things that are not in great abundance today in many people’s lives. Living for the moment is given greater value than delaying and waiting for things to be enjoyed at the proper time. Delayed gratification is not a value of many people and it has led to the destruction of many lives. Joseph was willing to lay down his rights as a husband in order to protect the child and protect the reputation of both he and Mary. He lived his life with a higher purpose in mind through the grace and self control he was given.
The next part of the story of Joseph’s life centers on the birth of Christ. Mary and Joseph were forced to go to Bethlehem to be registered in the census. I am sure Joseph was not real eager to take his very pregnant wife on a journey imposed by the Roman government. I would have looked at it as very bad timing and probably would have sought out other options but Joseph was obedient to the law of the land and took Mary on the journey. Perhaps he knew the Scriptures in Micah 5:2 that prophesied that Christ would be born in Bethlehem so maybe there was some excitement about its fulfillment happening on this voyage. I imagine that Joseph felt rejection when he inquired at the inn for a room for his pregnant wife. What kind of man was this innkeeper to let a 9 month pregnant woman sleep in an area reserved for animals? I know I would have been bewildered and would have wondered if this person had an ounce of compassion. Yet Joseph seemed to deal with it and though he would have wanted a better place for his wife to give birth, God was in control and had a purpose in this unlikely place for a Messiah to be born. Joseph’s humility is demonstrated again in his acceptance of this manger to be a place where they would spend the night. After the birth of Jesus the shepherds came to worship the new born King. Perhaps Joseph was initially concerned about their sudden appearance after all shepherds where not considered to be people of great reputation and they were complete strangers to Mary and Joseph. Yet after they announced that they too had been visited by an angel announcing the birth of the Messiah joy must have flooded his heart. The reality of Jesus the Messiah was clearly communicated and confirmed by the Lord. Joseph was at peace, knowing that what he believed and what Mary had been told was truly God’s plan. If there was any doubt the appearance of the shepherds with the news they brought removed the doubt and there was great joy as they joined in worship of the King. God rewards those who walk by faith and obedience to him. This moment was a reward for both Mary and Joseph for their faithfulness to the Lord to carry out his will. They were the first to see the Messiah, the first to hold him, the first to embrace him and kiss him. A Kodak memory like none other. How privileged he must have felt, how honored he was to be at his wife’s side when she gave birth to the long awaited and promised Messiah. I will always remember the birth of my daughter. I was able to be in the room when she was born. I can still see her face immediately after she was born and I remember the joy in seeing her brought into the world. Joseph had the same opportunity but how much more special it was knowing that this baby would be the Messiah.
The wise men from the East came to Bethlehem to worship the King and bring gifts to him. Again I think of how Joseph must have felt when these men arrived and gave such extravagant gifts to Jesus. Gold was the gift for a king, it was a precious metal that had great value. Perhaps this gold was used to meet the financial needs Joseph and Mary had on the next step of their journey. Frankincense is the gift for a priest. It is used in the temple worship and sacrifices. Its fragrance was sweet. The priest was the bridge builder between God and man. Jesus would be the final priest who would bridge the gap between God and man through his sacrificial death. The third gift the wise men brought was myrrh which was used to embalm dead bodies. Jesus came to die for our sins, this was his mission. Joseph again must have been amazed at what God was doing to confirm that this young child was truly the Promised Messiah who would be a King like none other, a Priest who would reconcile men to God and a sacrifice for the sins of man.
Joseph, Mary and Jesus soon had to flee to Egypt to protect the Messiah from Herod’s edict which demanded the death of all males 2 years old and under. Again an angel appears to Joseph in a dream and instructs him to flee immediately with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. By now Joseph is well aware of who Jesus is and he responds in obedience to go to Egypt. Instant obedience is what God requires of us when he reveals truth to us. There was no time to debate or doubt or delay. It was imperative that they go immediately and not return until he was given those instructions. Isn’t this true of our lives today? We are to respond in obedience to what God has revealed to us and go where he wants us to go and only leave when He tells us to leave. How many people have ended the mission before God has said it is time to move on to the next place. How many people have grown impatient or did not like living in another culture with its inconveniences and have decided to abort the mission? God called them and they were convinced that this is what he wanted but they left the field before it was time and missed out on what God was doing in their lives as well as in the lives of the people they lived among. You may be feeling pulled to go home, it is definitely a strong thing around Christmas and Thanksgiving. Maybe you have grown a little weary and would love to go back home where things were a little easier and more comfortable. Don’t go until the Lord says it is time to go. Set aside your feelings and desires and commit yourself to fulfill his plan in the place he has called you! Trust the Holy Spirit to guide your steps and move you on at the proper time.
Joseph obeyed and stayed until the Lord directed him back through another dream in which the angel told him it was time to return. But when he returned he was fearful because Archelaus was the new ruler appointed over Judea. Archelaus was even more ruthless than his father Herod. He began his rule by killing 3000 of the most influential people in the country. Joseph knew it would not be safe to return there and again an angel directed him to go to Nazareth and make his home there. Again we see the care and concern of Joseph for well being of his family and his obedience to follow the instructions of the angel. Joseph was not willing to put Jesus and Mary at risk and jeopardize their lives. This is the mark of a great father who is willing to put the needs of his family, their safety and security as a top priority. We need men to be like Joseph who will set the Lord before them and make obedience to God their priority. We need men who will be humble servants who will look after the needs of their families and make it a priority. We have too many examples and stories today of men who have abandoned their families and walked away from their responsibilities to provide for their children. In the state of Nebraska they passed a law that stated that any unwanted child could be dropped off at hospitals so they could be placed in a loving home. The law was designed to give new bornes a home instead of finding them in a dumpster. Unfortunately, young people of all ages were dropped off because their parents no longer wanted them. Can you imagine what it must be like for these children who are abandoned and told they are not wanted. The legislature of Nebraska had to rewrite the law to keep parents from shirking their responsibilities. The greatest addiction of teenagers today is love addiction. Many have been abandoned by their parents and they are looking for love, looking for a relationship that they did not experience with their parents. (Dawson McAllister address to SW Seminary). Many of these young people are unwilling to leave an abusive relationship because they fear being alone. Only 29% of all teens say they are going to get married. The 71% who say they will not marry perhaps have seen the damage of broken relationships within their families. Joseph is a model of a faithful man who gave his life in service to his God and his family. He had an important job to fulfill and he took it seriously.
It saddens me to hear of stories in Guatemala of wives being abused by their husbands and then to hear that the father of the abused spouse simply tells her to accept it because it is normal. What kind of dad is that who does not care for the safety and security of his daughter? Do you realize that today there about 27 million women and young boys and girls who are sold into slavery and are being used in the sex industry and forced labor? Where are the fathers who are willing to rescue them and protect them? Sadly many of the fathers have abandoned their wives and children or have given consent to their behavior to provide money for the family. Here are some statistics compiled by Fathers For Life regarding children from fatherless homes in the USA:
Children from fatherless homes are:
• 4.6 times more likely to commit suicide,
• 6.6 times to become teenaged mothers (if they are girls, of course),
• 24.3 times more likely to run away,
• 15.3 times more likely to have behavioral disorders,
• 6.3 times more likely to be in a state-operated institutions,
• 10.8 times more likely to commit rape,
• 6.6 times more likely to drop out of school,
• 15.3 times more likely to end up in prison while a teenager.
Fatherless homes and fathers who neglect their responsibilities are destroying the lives of their children. We need more men like Joseph who see the danger and take action to provide security for the family. We need to pray that God will raise up a generation of Josephs who will give priority to their family and not abandon them and leave them destitute and unprotected. Jesus needed his earthly father to care for him and nurture him. Every child needs and deserves the same.
Joseph is a model for men in many ways. He modeled integrity, compassion, humility, purity, responsibility, faith, obedience to the Lord, care, concern, safety and provision for his family. God entrusted a great responsibility to Joseph because he knew Joseph’s character. How about you? Could God entrust great responsibilities to you? Is your character such that God would be able to count on you to fulfill an important mission?
Many of you young men will one day be a father. It is one of the greatest privileges and responsibilities you will ever have. Will you be a father like Joseph or will you follow the ways of the world and abandon your responsibilities to pursue your own selfish interests? I pray that tonight you will determine in your heart to follow the example of Joseph and be a man whom God can entrust great responsibilities.

An audio file of this message can be downloaded at the following link:
http://www.supload.com/sound_confirm.php?get=450735356.wma

Happy Thanksgiving

Today we will celebrate a special Thanksgiving meal at Higher Grouds Coffee House. We have 40 people coming and we are looking forward to a wonderful time of fellowship and offering thanks to our God who has been so good to us. I am grateful for His provision and protection during this past year. He has opened new doors of ministry and used many teams to reach out to the Guatemalan people. Life is never without its bump along the way but God is always with us to get us through and make us more like His Son Jesus. "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Have a blessed day as you reflect on God's goodness to you.

The Road Less Traveled...November 2008

Greetings from Guatemala. It it good to be back after a tremendous time of ministry in India. Thank you for your support and prayers during the 2 weeks I spent there working with Oasis Ministries. It was an incredible time of ministry in which there were thousands of people giving their lives to Christ and hundreds were healed of sicknesses, diseases, pain, blindness, deafness, diabetes, lameness abnormal growths and demonic possession. This was my first experience seeing these type of healings in among so many people at the evening crusades that were attended by 5-13,000 people each night. India is a harvest field and it was a privilege for me to be able to help gather in the harvest of souls and see people set free. I had the privilege of praying for 3 ladies who were possessed by demons. One lady had been possessed for 10 years another 1 year and the third for 10 months. Each case was different but in 2 of the cases the demons manifested themselves by taking control of the ladies bodies and voices. Several of us prayed for what seemed a long time before we were able to see them set free. Two of the ladies returned the next night to give testimony of what Jesus did for them. They were so happy to be free and their faces radiated joy. The evening crusades grew in numbers each night as the people heard what was happening. During the second week people were taking turns coming to the meetings as there was not room in the vehicles provided for everyone to come at once. After the service people came forward for individual prayer for needs. They were so desperate to see God move in their lives that they crowded around me and were grabbing my hands to be able to lay them upon them and pray for them. Many times I felt overwhelmed by the crowd but could only call out to the Lord that He would hear the cries of their hearts and send the response in a way that they would know that He was the one who loved them and wanted to meet their needs.
I was also able to teach at the pastor's conference that was held in the mornings in conjunction with the crusade. We had 200 pastors attending and they were very receptive to the messages given. The crusade and conferences were held in areas that have not been reached in this manner before so the pastors were very grateful that we had come to work with them. Another part of the outreach I participated in was dedication of wells in areas were there was a great need for clean water. In one area the people could only get water on Sundays and then only if the electricity was working to pump the water. The water often caused sickness but the water from the new wells had improved the health of the people a great deal. At one well dedication we were met by some people from a local church and they formed a parade with drums beating to call attention to the rest of the people that something was going to happen and they invited people to come with them to the dedication. Before the dedication we presented the gospel message and invited people to pray for salvation. Several people gave their lives to Christ. I also spoke in 2 churches on Sunday mornings before the evening meeting and I had the opportunity to speak at a Bible school during their chapel service. It was a very busy time for all of us but none of us complained.
The Indian people showed great honor to us and always gave us food, flowers and a shawl. Even though English is the language of the country most people speak their native language which I did not know any words. We always had translators to help us with communication as well as understanding customs. One of my most interesting cultural experiences was getting a haircut. I thought I was all done with the haircut but then the barber started thumping my head, massaging my scalp, then my neck,back and arms and finally he grabbed by head and cracked my neck! All this for 50 cents.

Our ministry in Guatemala with the local children is going well. Our staff have been hosting a Kid's Club on Saturday morning and we have shown a couple of movies on Saturday nights the past 2 months that have been well attended. We are planning a special Christmas party for the children in December. We also hosted an Evangelism seminar at the end of October and did a special outreach on Halloween in which 14 people gave their lives to Christ. We are planning to host a Men's Seminar in January and we will be hosting teams in December and January. We are praying about starting an English program soon as it is a great way to reach out to the Guatemalan young people as well as adults.

I am still planning on doing a construction project the last week of January 2009. We will be helping Pastor Efrain with the construction of the health clinic in San Pablo La Laguna and possibly construct a home if funds are available. If you would like to be a part of this outreach please let me know and I will send you information.

Next week we will be hosting a special Thanksgiving meal at the coffee house for our staff as well as students and tourists who are in Antigua for the holiday. We are all looking forward to the turkey meal and the celebration of God's goodness to us throughout the year.

Thank you for being part of the ministry in Guatemala through your prayers and gifts of support. I am grateful for the opportunities God has given me to be a part of what He is doing here as well as in India. Please continue to pray for our coffee house ministry and the needs we have to keep it operating. Our financial situation is difficult at this time as business has been slow and we have depleted our account. Please pray that God will give us wisdom to make good decisions and provision for our needs for the ministry.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

The Persecuted Church

Persecution of the Church
Persecution and tribulation have always been part of the life of the church and the individual believer Persecution was part of the life of Jesus even when he was a baby. Joseph and Mary had to flee to Egypt to escape from the madness of Herod who feared his reign was threatened (Matt. 2:13) Throughout his ministry Jesus faced threats of entrapment and death from the religious leaders of the day.(Matt. 12:14). They made many accusations against him such as:
Mark 3:22 But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”
They attempted to kill him on several occasions.
John 10:31 “The Jews took up stones to stone him.”
They struck him.
John 18:22 Jesus was struck by an officer’s hand
Luke 22:63 Jesus was stuck in the face and spate upon
And finally the crucified him. The most painful death one could suffer.
John 19:16-18
So they took Jesus and led him away. 17 Carrying the cross by himself, Jesus went to the place called Skull Hill (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 18 There they crucified him. There were two others crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them.

Jesus suffered greatly on the cross and was humiliated by the Jews and the Romans. The very things he endured were the same things his disciples were told would happen to them.

Jesus made it very clear that persecution and tribulation were coming and to be expected. In the sermon on the mount , he said in Matthew 5:11-12, 11 “God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.
He also said in John 16:32-33, 32 But the time is coming—in fact, it is already here—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

John 15: 18 if the world hates you you know it hated me before it hated you
John 21: 12 they will lay hands on you and persecute you delivering you up to synagogues and into prisons
Jesus did not paint a pain free picture for his followers. He gave them a reality check as to what they could expect and his life was a demonstration of what they could also expect in their lives.
The persecution continued in the life of the early church. A quick survey of the book of Acts verifies what Jesus had predicted would happen.
Acts 4-Peter and John are arrested and placed in jail. Later told to be silent about Jesus.
Acts 5-Apostle arrested and place in jail but set free by an angel. The next day they were on trial and were almost at the point of being murdered but instead were flogged and told to be silent.
Acts 6 Stephen brought before the council and stoned
Acts 8 Church of Jerusalem persecuted and many flee for safety
Acts 12 King Herod Agrippa persecutes the believers and beheads the apostle James. Peter placed in prison
Acts 13 Jews incite a mob against Paul and Barnabas while in Antioch Pisidia
Acts 14 Jews and Gentiles prepare to stone Paul and Barnabas in Iconium
Acts 15 Paul is stoned and left for dead in Lystra
Acts 16 Paul and Silas thrown in jail while in Phillipi
Acts 17 Paul and Silas escape for their lives while in Thessalonica
Acts 19 Gaius and Aristarchus are dragged into the amphitheater in Ephesus
Acts 21 Paul is arrested and put in jail in Jerusalem,
Acts 23 Paul’s life is threatened
Peter wrote to the church to encourage them during their time of persecution 1 Peter 4:12-14
John told the church to not be astonished if the world hates you 1 John 3:13
In the book or Revelation the churches are greatly persecuted. The church in Smyrna faced great suffering. Revelation 2:9-10
9 “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the slander of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they really aren’t because theirs is a synagogue of Satan. 10 Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The Devil will throw some of you into prison and put you to the test. You will be persecuted for ‘ten days.’ Remain faithful even when facing death, and I will give you the crown of life

Much of the persecution of the early church came as a result of the opposition of the Jews but this extended to persecution by the Roman government as well. An article in “Exploring Church History” provides much of the following information.
The Jewish persecution stemmed mainly from their fears that Christianity would take away many of their constituents and that they would lose political favor.
Roman persecution was based on several factors. Politics and power was one of their concerns. The teaching of Christianity about a new King and a kingdom was taken as a threat to their political structure. They feared being overthrown. In addition the fact that the Christians would not worship their gods and goddesses was viewed as an act of treason which had to be dealt with severely.
The Christians were also persecuted because they did not fit into the social structure of the society that found great pleasure in dramas, theater and sporting events. These events usually began with a sacrifice to a pagan deity. The believers condemned the gladiator games in which prisoners were thrown to wild beasts for entertainment. The Christians also promoted equality of people this slavery which fueled the economy of the Romans was not supported by them.
Christians also were persecuted because they did not support the businesses that earned money through the sale of idols or other objects of worship. The economic effect was one of the reasons there was such turmoil in Ephesus when the people stopped buying the wares of idolatry. In addition Christians were often accused of causing calamities such as earthquakes, famine and pestilence which came as a result of their failure to worship the Roman gods.
A final reason for the persecution was the beliefs of the Christians. The believers were not pluralistic but taught that Christianity was the only way to God and eternal life. They aggressively evangelized and refused to worship the emperor or any of the gods. Because they had to meet in secret rumors circulated that perversion was taking place. In addition the communion service in which believers drank the symbolic blood of Jesus and ate his symbolic body generated rumors of cannibalism. The Romans considered the Christians as atheists because they worshipped and invisible God not a god of goddess that was an idol or image.
The persecution that began in Acts 6 continued for the next 300 years by Rome. Most of us are familiar with two of the rulers who were brutal against Christians: Nero and Domitian.
Nero reigned from A.D. 54-68. He was a homosexual and was considered a madman.
In A.D. 64 Nero accused the Christian community of setting the city of Rome on fire, and thereupon instigated a fearful persecution in which Paul and Peter perished. It was reported that Nero played the fiddle while he watched the city burn. The burning lasted for 9 days and destroyed 10 of the 14 districts of the city. Nero was accused of setting the fire so in order to divert attention from himself, he made the Christian community the scapegoat. Those who were accused of setting the city on fire were burned at the stake at night to light the gardens near Nero’s circus. Some were crucified and others were thrown to wild animals. The Christians were not punished for their beliefs but were punished for the arson they did not commit.

Domitian
The second wave of persecution of the church came under the reign of Domitian beginning in A.D. 95. He persecuted the Jews but also included the Christians because they refused to pay a tax that was to be used for the construction of a temple for Jupiter in Rome. The deeds of Domitian are more relevant than those of Nero to the themes of the Apocalypse. Worship of deceased emperors had been practiced for years, but Domitian was the first emperor to demand worship while he was alive. This led to a greater clash between the state and the church, especially in Asia, where the worship of Caesar was widely practiced. The persecution under Domitian presaged the more severe persecutions to follow. Because the Christians refused to participate in this worship, they were charged with treason. Some were martyred, others lost all their property and some like John were banished.

We can observe that the persecution that came to the church during the first century of its existence is in many ways the same today. A church that is on fire for God will be a church that is also under fire. Persecution of believers is on the increase in many nations of the world.
Here are some statistics given by Christians in Crises
Were you aware that ...


Since the death of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago,

43,000,000 Christians have become martyrs. Over 50% of these were in the last century alone.
More than 200 million Christians face persecution each day 60% are children.
Every day over 300 are killed for their faith in Jesus Christ.
Presently there are 40 countries in which persecution is occurring.

I want to take a little time to give an update on what is happening in several parts of the world. We need to be informed so we can pray more effectively and more fervently for our brothers and sisters who are experiencing tremendous persecution. I want to profile a few of the places where the persecution is happening even as we sit here tonight.

China: Prominent House Church Leader’s Sons Assaulted by Chinese Police (VOM)
On October 16, Zhang Jian, the elder son of Pastor "Bike" Zhang Mingxuan, was severely beaten by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials in Beijing, China Aid Association (CAA) reported.
Zhang Jian was at home with his mother, Xie Fenglan, when PSB officials entered their residence and secured the exits before severely beating him with iron bars for nearly half an hour. As Zhang lay bleeding profusely, his mother called the ambulance, but the receptionist told her that a higher government authority gave a directive not to dispatch an ambulance to rescue Zhang because he is related to Pastor Bike CAA reported. Xie Fenglan called her younger son, who rushed to the house and was also beaten by the same authorities, CAA added.
After some time a family friend took Zhang Jian to a local emergency room, where doctors said he may lose sight in his right eye as a result of the beating. The family has not been able to contact Pastor Bike, who was travelling at the time of the attacks, and they fear authorities have detained him. Pastor Bike is an outspoken evangelist. He traveled more than 10,000 miles across China’s 24 provinces passing out Christian literature and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has been arrested several times for his evangelistic activities.
In August, two days before the Olympics, Pastor Bike was arrested along with his wife and co-worker. The Voice of the Martyrs and China Aid Association launched an international petition drive advocating for the release of Pastor Bike, his wife and co-worker. More than 58,000 people signed the petition and it was delivered to the Chinese Ambassador, Zhou Wenzhong, in Washington D.C. Shortly after the petition began and the Olympics ended, all three were released.
Pray for Zhang Jian and his younger brother’s quick recovery from the attack. Ask God to protect Pastor Bike and his entirely family during this challenging time. Praise God for this family’s faithfulness to risk their all for the sake of the gospel.
India-More than 70,000 Christians displaced in Orissa
UPDATE: The Voice of the Martyrs contacts working to assist believers affected by attacks in Orissa state report that more than 70,000 Christians have been displaced and forced to live in refugee camps.
"At the Peyton Sahi relief camp which houses 35 families and 130 distraught tribals, Chabila Naik, a man who ran an orphanage for 50 children in Sarangada spent three days in the forest after their houses and churches were razed [with fire]. He has not been reunited with the children," VOM sources said.
Stories coming from persecuted believers in Orissa are heartbreaking. Christians spent days hiding in the forest following the attacks that erupted on August 24, after the murder of a prominent Hindu leader by Maoist extremists. “One family which did not want to be named said they had to leave their elderly mother in the jungles while the others walked through rain and darkness for 60 hours to get out of Kandhmal,” VOM sources added.
"We had no choice; I could either save my wife and two kids, or stay with her and ask for death for all of us. But, I am sure God has saved her, though I have no idea where she is," the man told VOM sources with tears in his eyes.
VOM is assisting displaced believers in Orissa and other areas in India where persecution has spread. Pray for believers who face these intense hardships and have in some cases lost contact with family members. Ask God to protect them and provide for their needs. Pray their testimonies will draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Him.
Iraq-Seven Christians Killed in Mosul, Iraq
Seven Christians have been killed in Mosul, Iraq, so far this month, The Associated Press (AP) reported. "We are worried about the campaign of killings and deportations against Christian citizens in Mosul. Such violations are damaging the national unity," Chaldean Archbishop Louis Sako told AP. "The Christians want only to live in peace and harmony and to work together with all Iraqis for the benefit of Iraq," he added.
On Oct. 4 an armed group of suspected Islamist extremists assassinated a man named Hazim Thomaso Youssif in front of his clothing shop, and Ivan Nuwya was shot to death in front of his home, located near a mosque in the Christian-majority neighborhood of Tahrir. Meanwhile on Oct. 6, a disabled 25-year-old shopkeeper was shot and killed in the neighborhood of Karama. Four other Christians, a pharmacy employee, a disabled man who owns a spare-parts store, and two day-laborers have also been killed.
The Christian community in Iraq is estimated to be 3 percent of Iraq's 26 million people, or about 800,000. Archbishop Sako is based in the northern city of Kirkuk and has overseen believers in Mosul since the killing of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho. Archbishop Rahho was kidnapped and killed by gunmen in March following Mass. His body was found dumped on the streets.
Some Christians believe that Muslim extremists are targeting shopkeepers in an effort to wipe out the Christian community's economic activity and drive out believers from the area. Since 2003, Christian leaders, churches and businesses in Iraq have been targeted by Islamic extremists. As a result, many believers have fled.
The Voice of the Martyrs actively supports Christians in Iraq with Action Packs, material resources for Christian leaders and evangelistic literature. VOM distributes the New Testament in Arabic and also supports widows through the Families of Martyrs fund.
VOM encourages you to pray for those who mourn these lost lives. Ask God to continue to embolden the Christian community in Mosul to proclaim the gospel even while suffering. Pray for God's protection for Christians living under difficult circumstances.
The Christian Post reported that 15,000 Christians have been forced to flee Mosul in the past weeks due to persecution.
Indonesia-Christians remain strong and resolute despite Muslims closing church
INDONESIA – Recently, Muslims closed a church in Jatimula, Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia and blocked Christians from entering and holding services.
According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Indonesia, “Muslims blocked the alley leading to the church building. Pastor Anna and Huta Julu had to lead worship outside their church building and believers had to sit in the dirty alley to pray outside their church.”
VOM contacts added, “The sign outside the church building stated, ‘This church building is sealed,’ and it was written on a letterhead belonging to the Tambun Selatan district of Bekasi local government.”
This is the second time Muslims have closed the church in Bekasi. The church was first closed on September 10, 2005 when a mob of 100 Muslims nailed boards over doors and windows and prohibited believers from entering the building.
Despite the church’s closure believers in Indonesia rejoice in suffering for Christ. In 2005, Huta Julu said, “…we peered between the boards to check for damage inside [the church]. Three of us stood outside in the darkness and prayed. We thanked God that He allowed this to happen to us. We were very encouraged because we knew the Apostles experienced the same thing. We are never disappointed for being Christians.”
VOM has supported and encouraged believers in Indonesia and provides Christian books like Extreme Devotion to believers. Praise God for the unwavering faith of believers in Indonesia. Ask God to watch over Pastor Anna and Huta Julu as they continue to lead other believers in Indonesia. Pray for protection for believers as they couragesously live for Christ in the midst of hardships.
Articles from TheNews
NORTH KOREANS ESCAPE FOR ONE LAST MEAL
On our bus ride up to the Border, one of our Translators began to share an unbelievable story... His parents are missionaries in a city just across the North Korean border in China. They often give shelter to Christian Refugees who have escaped from North Korea into China; risking their own lives in the process.
Many of these Refugees know that they will eventually be caught- and they know the punishment that awaits them: When the Secret Police catch a Refugee they take them to the public square and break both their legs with iron bars! Then they drill a hole through their collar bone, insert a chain, and drag the Refugee back to North Korea for execution!
Even though they know the fate that awaits them, many of these Refugees say they have escaped JUST TO HAVE ONE DECENT MEAL BEFORE THEY DIE!! Their idea of a 'Decent Meal' is a simple porridge; and yet they are risking brutal torture and death to escape from North Korea... where conditions are even worse. The chilling level of brutality and the inhumane living conditions are beyond our ability to comprehend.
NORTH KOREAN ARMY BULLDOZES CHILDREN
A few years ago, a group of workers were widening a road outside of Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea. When they came to the village of GokSan, they began to demolish an old abandoned building that lay in their path. Suddenly they stumbled upon an underground room-- a tiny catacomb, a meeting place for a secret underground Christian congregation!
The Police were notified immediately and the Pastor, Kim Tae Yong, was arrested along with all the members of this secret Church. In front of the entire village of GokSan and its 30,000 inhabitants, the Police told the Christians, 'Deny Christ or lose your lives!'.
The members of the Church refused to deny Jesus, so the Police selected four children from the group-- The Police then told their parents, 'Deny Jesus or your children will be hanged!'. The parents did not move, but merely called out to their children, 'We will see you in Heaven soon'.
To the horror of the villagers, the children were hanged in front of their parents. The Police then turned to the adults and threatened them once again. This time they were told that each member of the Underground Church would be placed in front of a steamroller and crushed to death. Not one member of the Church was willing to deny their Faith if God, and as the entire village watched, the Christians went to their death singing... 'More love to Thee, oh Christ, more love to Thee! Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee; This is my earnest plea, more love, oh Christ to Thee, More love to Thee, more love to Thee!'
It is difficult for us to fathom this level of brutality... it sounds like something out of a History book from ancient times-- and yet it is happening today- right now- in Communist North Korea!
VOM reports that there are 100,000 Christians in concentration camps in N. Korea.
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (BosNewsLife)-- The Islamic militant group Taliban said Monday, October 20, its gunmen killed a Christian aid worker in the capital Kabul because she was spreading Christianity in Afghanstan.

The Christian aid group 'SERVE - Serving Emergency Relief and Vocational Enterprises - Afghanistan' identified the woman as 34-year-old Gayle Williams. Interior Ministry officials and SERVE Afghanistan said the dual South African-British national, who worked with handicapped Afghans, was killed by gunmen on a motor cycle.
In a statement monitored by BosNewsLife, SERVE Afghanistan explained that the young woman was killed while walking to work at around 0800 local time Monday, October 20.
"Gayle was shot and killed shortly before she was due to arrive at the office. Reports say that two men on a motorcycle shot her and then fled the scene," the group added. SERVE Afghanistan said she died "almost immediately" after the attack.
TALIBAN ANGRY
In published remarks, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid defended the decision to kill her. "This woman came to Afghanistan to teach Christianity to the people of Afghanistan," he said. "Our (leaders) issued a decree to kill this woman. This morning our people killed her in Kabul."
SERVE Afghanistan strongly denied she was involved in proselytizing, which is prohibited by law in the country, or forcing people to convert to Christianity. "She was a person who always loved the Afghans and was dedicated to serving those who are disabled. Needless to say we are all in shock," the group said.
Voice of the Martyrs produces a weekly update video on the persecuted church. I want to show a short segment on a church in Afghanistan.
The church is suffering persecution in many other areas of the world. We need to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. We can only do this if we keep informed about what is happening and there are several organizations such as VOM and Christians in Crises that have up to date information on their websites. I encourage you to be informed so you can pray effectively for the believers as well as the persecutors.
We must pray frequently and fervently for the persecuted church. On November 9 there will be an international day of prayer for the persecuted church. We can all participate and intercede for our brothers and sisters. Pray for protection from the horrendous violence that is happening to them. Physical, mental, psychological abuse is happening daily. Pray for courage that they will be able to stand in the day of attack and not deny their faith but boldly proclaim it. Pray for those who are persecuting them that they will have an encounter with Christ and that the witness of the believers will bring them to Christ. Pray for provision for the physical needs of food, clothing, housing, jobs and health care for those who have been driven out of their homes or are denied access to services. Pray for the persecuted believers to be able to forgive those who are opposing them. Pray that bitterness and resentment will not take root in their hearts. Pray that those who have denied their faith will repent and be restored to fellowship.
Another way we can help is by supporting organizations that are penetrating the persecuted nations to bring humanitarian aid as well as spiritual instruction. You may not be able to go but you can give to help someone else who is there or is planning to go.
Finally you can be one of the courageous one whom God sends to these nations. The church in these nations needs encouragement and support. Persecution purifies the church and in some cases believers have denied their faith in Christ to preserve their lives or their children’s lives. Many are faced with hard decisions and some have faltered and need to be restored and forgiven. You can be a tremendous blessing to the persecuted church just by going. It will show solidarity between the believers in the free world with those in the persecuted areas. Brother Andrew once stated that there are no closed doors to the gospel if you do not need a return ticket. Perhaps you will be one whom God will send to the nations that are being persecuted.

An audio file of this message can be downloaded at the following link:
http://www.supload.com/sound_confirm.php?get=1234708730.wma