Snowed about 41 inches on Mt. Hood this weekend, that is a good start – now we need 14-19 more FEET to get it back up to where it should be.  But it is encouraging and more is coming down today.

Pretty down here, blue skies, few clouds and comfortable weather.  Need some here too, though, ground needs to be saturated so when it freezes it will protect the plants – thick blanket of snow on top would be a nice comforter.  Need moisture in the spring so plants can grow without having to water them real deep.

Not much going on in our neck of the woods, trust all is well in yours.

Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

“It is amazing to me! There are people within the ranks of Christianity who have been taught and who believe that Christ will shield His followers from wounds of every kind.”   A.E. Tozier

I share in Tozier’s incredulity, far too many people believe that the God of the New Testament is somehow different from the God of the Old Testament.  Those things that befell the Jewish people will not befall current people because Christ came to earth.

And somehow Christians will never have to be concerned about any wounds because Christ’s followers are protected.

However, Christ said something entirely different, and it was reaffirmed by God through the Apostles.

Mathew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

2 Corinthians 1:5-7 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

⁶ And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

⁷ And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

Earth is amass with evil.  If we think, for even a minute, that satan is going to allow Christians a pass just because they are Christians - we need to re-read the scriptures.  We are his chief enemies on earth and he will attack us any time he thinks he can.

If we do not feel the pressures of this world, if we do not see satan in action, it is because we are either blind, or nothing for satan to worry about.  We are ineffective as a witness for God and satan doesn’t want to challenge us for fear that in doing so we will turn to God and start to tell others about Him.

We don’t have to hammer people; we don’t want to be going out into the world just so we get condemned so we can raise our trials up as a banner of righteousness.  Most of the time that kind of witnessing is counterproductive.

We need to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and not concern ourselves with the repercussions we might receive from the world – not to gain ‘favor’ with God or so we can wear a ‘badge of honor’ - but to sincerely tell others about the Salvation only Christ can give and their need for Him in their life.

Every person, no matter what their belief is, has difficulties in this world.  The amount of, or lack of difficulty doesn’t necessarily tell anyone else about the faith another person has, nor what they believe.

As Christians, however, we need to recognize that every challenge can build us up and bring us closer to God. 

When we yield to the chastisement of the Holy Spirit we learn what God wants of us and can more effectively serve Him – IF we correct the sin in our lives.

Other times persecution or tribulations are just to make us stronger and give us an opportunity to proclaim the Gospel.  Living the Gospel, to those that either have never heard of Christ, have never given their hearts to Him, or may be struggling through something themselves and need our example to help them rely more on God.

Too many people sign on to rhetoric of becoming a Christian, just to please themselves but have no understanding of who Christ is and what He expects of us.

I am reminded of a businessman in town, whose wife was a long time member of our church – Assembly of God – he decided it would be good for business if he was seen at church.  But we were too radical, and the largest church in the community was a Baptist Church, where many other business people attended, so that is where he chose to go.

To my knowledge (and that is a strong caveat) he never listened enough to accept Christ, just to make a show for others.

If we are a ‘Christian’ in name only, we are doing a disservice to God.  We are not living for Him and we need to examine our hearts to make sure we actually accepted Him as Savior.

There are many ways to serve Him and we don’t have to be vocal about our love for Him.  There are many people who quietly live their lives for Christ and when given the opportunity gently witness to others.

God doesn’t necessarily change our personalities or abilities (although He is quite capable of doing so) He uses our skills and talents to lead others to Him.

If every Christian was the same, few people would be saved.  Each of us has a circle of people in which we are members in one way or another.  When we live our lives for Christ then some of those people are not only going to reject our stand, but demonize it and attack us.

But, there will be others that will listen, watch how we stand up under the tormentors assaults, and be drawn by the Holy Spirit to try and understand what makes us tick – and are more amenable for the Word of God and the acceptance of Christ.

Attacks against Christians happen today, just as they have for two thousand years and as the Jewish people have endured for thousands of years more.

God does protect us, but He also will allow certain things to happen to us in order that we get rid of the baggage that comes between us and Him and therefore draw closer to Him.

We cannot shy away from being God’s servant for fear of rejection or persecution.  We will not always have condemnation from those we witness to, but we need to expect that there will be those that hate God so much they will attack us for being a child of His.

IF God protected His children from everything than why, we should ask, are millions of Christians being persecuted worldwide?  Why are they losing their homes, their freedoms and in some cases their lives?

Why is America deciding that Christians are just bigots and should be punished, persecuted and even prosecuted for standing by God’s Word?  With greater fervor than ever before.

Why do we think we should never have any difficulties when every Apostle, save one, was killed for their stand for Christ – and literally millions, if not billions by now, Christians have died for their faith in Christ?

Those that think God will protect them every time, all the time, are the ones that are crushed when they find this is not true and far too often turn away from God rather than to Him.

Christ paid the price for our sins.  But satan wants to put a wedge between us and God and, using the naiveté of some, he will do whatever he can to make us question our salvation.

If we are not prepared the struggle it is much worse and far too many lose.

We need to be aware that not everyone shares our views and that there will be persecution, in some form (and we may not even be aware of it for a while) and we need to draw as close to God as we can – and if He disciplines us because our sin is interfering with that relationship, we need to listen and correct our behavior.

Later, Art :-)

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