Imitators

“Be imitators of God in everything you do, for then you will represent your Father as his beloved sons and daughters.”Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Little children exemplify this best. Thy copy their parents and people of influence in their lives. Their innocence is beautiful. 

Jesus exhorted us to be as little children in the gospels. “Learn this well: Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable like a little child , you will never be able to enter in.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭3‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Paul exhorted his readers: “I want you to pattern your lives after me, just as I pattern mine after Christ.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬ ‭TPT‬‬

We can examine how Paul lived in the book of Acts and his writings in the various epistles.

Humility and innocence are desirable and important. Amen!

Why do we suffer?

“If you suffer for being a Christian, don’t consider it a disgrace but a privilege. Glorify God because you carry the Anointed One’s name.”1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬ ‭TPT‬‬

In John 9:1-3 we see the disciples ask Jesus ‘who sinned that this man was born blind, was it him or his parents?’ Jesus said neither, this was so the glory of God might be displayed!’ We can so easily judge someone who is suffering and assume they have done something wrong. It is easy to judge and even mock those who suffer.

In our ease and complacency we can become hard to the suffering of others. However, God alone knows the full truth.

In 1 Peter 4:15 Peter admonishes the readers of his epistle not to suffer because of wrong doing, but rather righteousness. If we suffer because of our own foolishness then we have ourselves to blame but if we suffer for Christ then we can rejoice. Amen!

No shame

“But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!”1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 Have a new friend who has suffered shame for being a Christian. She was expelled from Nepal because she had some Christian material and was a business woman. Her files were inspected and something was found to implicate her. Although she did not use her business to proselytise, this material implicated she did. She was cast out from the country she loved.

I’ve been rejected by family because of my decision to serve God and not man. I know many who suffer physical abuse by family for being a Christian. There are many refugees in my church from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and China. These dear people find a safe haven in Nepal, however, they are non-persons here and even if they find a sponsor they have a debt to Nepal to pay beofre they can leave. Unless the sponsor is willing to pay this fee also they remain stuck.

Those who speak out against the woke agenda are persecuted in the West. Although there is supposed to be free speech, it is fast disappearing. There is an agenda for world domination by the World Economic Forum, free speech will not exist. Those who fight against the darkness will suffer.

But, my Jesus has a higher agenda. Souls are being saved at a rapid rate. May Your Kingdom come Lord! Amen!

A time is coming

““How enriched you are when persecuted for doing what is right! For then you experience the realm of heaven’s kingdom.”Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Those who suffer open the way for heaven to deal with iniquity. Harshness, cruelty, abuse, and rejection,  are all forms of persecution. In the name of religion many have been killed; state controlled countires throw believers into jail; the jealous murdered our saviour. We are in good company. Jesus was betrayed by a man close to Him. His own brothers rejected Him.

Jesus’ suffering brought God’s judgement on those who persecuted Him. The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and the people scattered by the Romans. Everything the religious bigots held dear was torn away from them.

Judgement is coming but first the suffering. Those who suffer will be greatly rewarded. Our God does not forget. Amen!

Suffering

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Persecution takes many forms; it is the jailing of those who dare to speak of Jesus; the dismissal of Christian workers; the families who turn their backs on believers and even hand them over to authorities; the murder of Christians. Jesus warned us this would happen. Yet, He said we would not have to worry about what to say, the Holy Spirit would be our voice.

I am watching the creeping persecution in the west, the blatant persecution in North Korea, China, Iran, Afganistan, Nigeria and more. In chapter six of the book of Revelation, we hear the saints asking the Lord, ‘How long Lord?’ His answer was ‘when the complete number of those who will join them have come’. Only God knows how long and how many must suffer. The suffering saints address wickedness, their goodness and meekness speak to the overthrow of wickedness.

The Jews are again being persecuted and time is close. We can only be faithful and fight for truth to the very end. Only the Father knows when this end will come. Again, the full number of those who have heard must come in. Christ for all Nations are smashing records in Africa, the west is coming to Jesus, and yet, there are more. Asia needs Jesus! Amen!

Building spiritual muscle

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today I found a way of pushing back what appeared to be a trouble-making spirit in my flat. No amount of rebuking rid us of it, until today, I played worship music all day and it disappeared. Praise God and tonight our fellowship time was sweet, ending in worship and prayer.

At present there are a lot of demons being worshipped in Nepal, resulting in a lot of spiritual activity. It was good to clear the air. We are praying for revelation and hunger in the people of Nepal. 

Our God brings freedom and liberty, He alone is good. He is the only God who sacrificed Himself for our salvation. He is the way, the truth and the life! Amen!

Trials

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As I seek greater presence of the Holy Spirit I encounter trials that would prune away my flesh; my pride, selfishness and self-righteousness. My Lord does this through conflict, relational problems, physical distress and financial challenges, but mostly relational problems.

I share a flat with two other women and we have our challenges together, but they all aid us in shedding the flesh and seeking God’s Holy Spirit.

I praise God that He is interested in a pure bride, one He would delight in, and one that would not bring Him grief. Whilst we are on earth we have an opportunity to be cleansed and purified. Rather than wailing and complaining He makes a way. Praise Him!