Doing some winterizing – getting ready for the cold winds from the north to be blowing our way before long.  Temperatures are hitting the low 40’s now – yes I know some of you have already had freezing temperatures, but thanks to the Gorge we live in a “Mediterranean climate” – or so I am told.

The Columbia River is the only one in the world that cuts through to major mountain chains to an ocean – which is about 150 miles from here.  We are barely above sea level and the weather here, even compared to just a couple miles north or south of us, is much milder than the rest of Central and Eastern Oregon.  If we have wind coming east through the gorge, which is most of the time, we have the milder weather of the coast – course coming west from the eastern parts of Oregon is colder and when mixed with the Arctic air from the north makes it even more so.  Most of our winters are milder with temperature rarely getting below 20 degrees – although I do remember one winter when I was patrolling in a minus 17 at about 0200 hours.

We like it, longer growing seasons for Carla, and we know how important those gardens are to her. 

1 Peter 5:7-11  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

⁹ Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

¹⁰ But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

¹¹ To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

As I was reading about what is happening in the middle-east to Christians as well as in Nigeria, China, Pakistan, India and other countries I have to admire them for their courage and perseverance.  These people are losing their homes, and church buildings.  They are being persecuted – and I don’t mean the minor incidents of uncomfortableness most of us experience here in America.  I mean brutal persecution, the kind that can kill a person, not just embarrass them.

Many are not only being persecuted they are being incarcerated, tortured, separated from family and friends.  Not only do they have to be concerned about their own life, they know that their spouse and children need them – need what they can provide, that in of itself is a form of torture.  Many are incarcerated for years without a trial; many are losing their lives by either outright execution or as a result of starvation or illness.

These men and women endure until the end of their plight – either by death or release from bondage.  They witness to their captors, they witness to those that they share incarceration with, they get disappointed and discouraged at times, but they pray to and worship God throughout their trying times.  They have learned as Paul learned:

Philippians 4:11-12  Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

¹² I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

No one would wish to live these people’s lives, none of us want to go through the trials and tribulations they are going through.  Yet, Christ’s church is growing in these countries.  The Holy Spirit is reaffirming their testimonies to thousands of people – many converts have been tormentors, yet they are coming to Christ for their salvation thanks to these martyrs. 

Even though converting to Christianity is a crime in these countries, God’s Word and the truth of it makes them willing to face the consequences of their conversion.  They understand the need to accept Christ no matter what may happen to them or even their families.  The threats are very real, they see the results of it every single day; and know they could be arrested at any time, yet, they live for Christ.

The Word of God is very relevant to them.  They read of the persecution and prosecution of the Apostles and the Saints; they ready how they endured and how God was there for them.  They see the truths of the Word and God’s Grace and they will not be denied that by man.  They will stand and deliver as Paul, Peter, Mark, John and the many others of the New Testament did through their trials and tribulations – even unto death.

There are many that predict we, in America, are but a generation or two from the same kind of persecution, prosecution, incarceration and sentencing even onto death that is occurring in these countries.  As we look at what is going on in our streets, as we look at the laws passed that are deliberately contrary to God’s edicts, as we look at how the laws are enforced and the courts are upholding them, we can well appreciate how this might come about.

But whether it does or not we have to ask ourselves are we prepared to stand for Christ?  Are we preparing others to stand for Him?  How do we propose to be examples of Christ under these circumstances when we choose not to under our current – much freer – circumstances?

We know that when times of difficulty come we can depend on the Holy Spirit to be there with us – but are we using that same direction from Him in our daily lives, right now?  Do we witness to others in word and deed, or are we afraid to speak up for fear of offending someone, or being persecuted?  When illness and trying times come upon us do we pray to God in desperation not know if He is there, or as a child talking to his Father?

I can remember a question being asked once:  “If you were tried for being a Christian, is there enough evidence to convict you?”  Would a jury of those that associate with us on a regular basis, that watch our reactions to other people, to frustrations, to trying times be able to say, “Guilty of being a follower of Christ!” or would they say, “I am not sure, he has never demonstrated the traits of Christ that I have seen – so I would say he is not guilty.”?  I would hope to be found guilty, but I know there have been/are times I have faltered and failed Him.

I have seen friends and family members that are Christians go through incredible trials – illnesses, death of loved ones, things that drag a person down, yet they come through it with a testimony of Christ’s love – and I have to ask myself how they have that faith, could I have that same faith under similar circumstances?

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

We look at this verse and automatically we think of the cross that Jesus had to carry and was hung on – yet this was said before that happened – a foretelling of how He would die.  But He didn’t say ‘MY cross;’ He said ‘his cross.’  Each of us, as individuals has our ‘own’ cross to bare.  It is ours alone, while we can help bare one another’s burdens, the cross they have is for them to carry, not us; nor is ours, theirs. 

But we aren’t left with that, we are to follow HIM.  He really does care for us, the cross we bare can be cast upon Him and He will help us carry it.

God knows our strengths and our weaknesses, He is not going to put a greater burden upon us than we can bare.  It is interesting that with very few exceptions, those Christians that are or have gone through difficult trials, rarely say “I wish I had your soft life.”  They don’t compare their burdens with others that seem far less troublesome, they trust in God to help them and they don’t worry about how little others may be going through.

Yes, they may ask ‘why me?’ but the question does not linger and their faith in God grows.  In fact many of these people open up their hearts to others and while they may be going through extremely difficult times, they strive to help others to deal with their comparatively easier trials.

I guess the question I am asking, is if we cannot stand for Christ under the relatively little persecution we are now under, how can we stand for Him when the persecution gets serious?

If we look at every circumstance where we overcome our reluctance, fears or whatever we want to call it, to stand for Christ – we look at it as a victory and reaffirmation of our faith in Him then we will surely be stronger and more effective witnesses for Him.  If we look at our failures to be a voice for Christ as a learning experience, asking God’s forgiveness and strength to better ourselves in our service for Him – then that too becomes a strengthening process.

Some Christians are tried immediately upon accepting Him, others go through far less trials in their lives, but all of us have a responsibility to study His Word, learning to depend on and follow Him and His Holy Spirit as we go about our daily lives.

Christ is there for us, are we there for Him?

Later, Art :-)

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again