BULLIED FOR CHRIST

BULLIED FOR CHRIST

Being bullied is a hot topic these days. Being bullied changes how you see yourself. It does long-term damage to your self-esteem and self-confidence which in turn affects every other area of your life. But being bullied for Christ does just the opposite. We count it an honor to be persecuted for Christ’s sake. While it’s happening it doesn’t feel good, but it leaves us with an inner peace knowing we suffered for Christ and we weren’t afraid to claim Him as our Savior.

There are people around the world being bullied for Christ’s sake. They are not only ostracized, mocked and intimidated, some are imprisoned, tortured, raped or even killed for Christ’s sake. Even children are beheaded because they refuse to claim any other God than the one true God. Paul says in his day “They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated…” (Hebrews 11:37).

Our lives change when we mature as Christians. But that doesn’t mean life will then be hunky dorey. We suffer little for Christ here in the United States but I believe the day will come when Christians are targeted just like the Jews were during the Holocaust. They are already being targeted but only in ways that are not yet physical. The hunt is being led by the media, Hollywood and non-Christians. Some Christians are losing their jobs for trying to be obedient to scripture while others who have different religions are allowed to exercise their religions without reprisal. When those Christians lose their jobs, they lose their livelihood. They may have to move, their families’ lives are turned upside down, and they are taunted and ostracized. Fortunately they have the support of other Christians.

The language of the law is being changed into what has been labeled “politically correct.” We have to watch every word that comes out of our mouths or we will be called homophobic, racist or terrorist. My own preacher made a statement within a sermon that went something like this: “If I am told not to preach the whole Bible, I will go to jail first and I will save a seat for you.” Someone reported him to the FBI and he was visited by them there at the church. He gave them a copy of his sermon and they were satisfied. He now has a record with the FBI. They were satisfied then, but will they be in the future? And what if one or both of them were adamantly against Christians? Would they have made their intimidation rougher on him?

Sadly, he was reported by someone in the church. Scripture says “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
     a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”

In my preacher’s case it was a member of the church family. A visitor would still be a member of the church family because the church is not the building but is made up of fellow Christians from wherever. Jesus doesn’t purposely turn a daughter against her mother but is the reason for the daughter turning against her mother or a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. The person who turned the preacher into the FBI was, in essence, a bully, a troublemaker from the church family. And Satan is behind it all.

Those suffering for Christ’s sake at whatever level will reap their rewards in heaven for eternity and some already have. Life here on earth is but a blink of an eye compared to eternity, so while we live in the moment here on earth, we should always keep our eternal future in mind no matter what we do or what happens to us. As it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—" I Corinthians 2:9.

--Becky Wall
 

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:12

I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison… (spoken by Paul recounting the days when he was called Saul. Acts 22:4)

When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; I Corinthians 4:12

…persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. I Corinthians 4:9

At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. Galatians 4:29

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted… II Timothy 3:12

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2

But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
8 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say,
“let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
since he delights in him.”
Psalm 22:6-8 (prophecy about Jesus)

beckyowall.blogspot.com

DOUBLE TROUBLE

DOUBLE TROUBLE

Beware of a double-minded man,

Whose two faces are part of his game.

He has a double heart;

He two-times God without shame.

He says one thing but does another;

With a forked tongue he lies.

He talks from both sides of his mouth;

He pretends he is very wise.

He often leads a double life;

In two different worlds he abides.

Since good and bad can't co-exist,

On the wings of trouble he rides.

God's Word is a double-edged sword;

To a sinner it cuts like a knife.

It separates bad from good in a heart,

Then offers the sinner new life.

God can make him whole again--

He can make one man out of two.

When both are reconciled to Him,

The man can begin anew.

Be one in your mind and your heart.

Don't just talk the talk.

In order to travel the road to heaven,

You must walk the walk.

Becky L. Wall

BEWARE OF YOUR PET

BEWARE OF YOUR PET

A pet is usually a humble friend,

A comfort in times of troubles.

He may help relieve you of stress,

With his antics and friendly cuddles.

But beware of pets who may turn on you,

That will harm you again and again.

Be wise and forget the fun you had,

Especially if your pet is a sin.

Pet sins will drive you away from God;

They will always hurt your spouse.

Your health and well being will suffer;

You yourself will feel like a louse.

Still, you will love it and not know why;

You won't want to let it go.

You may think of it as your partner;

Life with it may be all that you know.

Then when you try to get rid of it,

Its teeth and claws will dig in.

Fear of your pet will consume you;

You will think that you just can't win.

Who can save you from its evil grasp?

Who can set you free?

Just reach your hand out to Jesus;

Keep your hand in His--that's the key.

But your pet will lie in wait for you,

Lurk in every corner of your will.

Just don't let go of Jesus,

Or your pet may go for the kill.

Becky L.Wall

“'I have the right to do anything,' you say—but not everything is beneficial." “'I have the right to do anything'—but I will not be mastered by anything." I Corinthians 6:12

WANTING FOR NOTHING

WANTING FOR NOTHING

I'm seeking after beauty;

I want eternal youth.

I know that I will have them;

Believe me, it's the truth.

I want a big, fine mansion;

Just give me pearls and gold.

I want to live in splendor,

The best yet to behold.

I want to be quite special;

I want to change my name.

I want the royal treatment;

My life won't be the same.

I plan to never worry,

I'll suffer no disgrace.

Pain will never bother me;

No tears will touch my face.

For I will be in heaven;

I'll walk on streets of gold.

I'll enter pearly gates,

And my mansion, I am told.

Heaven's host will greet me;

My new name they will sing.

I will want for nothing;

It's what life in Christ will bring.

Becky L. Wall

ON THE HARD ROAD

ON THE HARD ROAD

When faced with a choice of paths,

I always choose the wrong one.

Why are my travels so difficult?

I'm only looking for fun.

Some see footprints in the sand,

When upon life's paths they look.

It seems I was always stuck in the mud,

When I look at the paths I took.

I opened my mouth for a silver spoon, 

But my muddy foot was inserted.

I couldn't imagine from where it came.

"Who put that there?!" I blurted.

I'm in the school of hard knocks;

And here I am destined to stay.

Why do anything the easy way,

When it can be done the hard way.

Becky L. Wall

PIE IN THE SKY

The following was inspired by my mother. She told me how she and her siblings, as children, improvised the song "In the Sweet By and By" as follows:

In the sweet by and by,

Gimme some pie,

We shall meet on that beautiful shore,

Gimme some more.

PIE IN THE SKY

If life is like a great big pie,

One makes while here on earth,

How your pie is divided,

Will determine your own worth.

How big is the slice you've cut for work?

How much for play and tv?

Did you leave even a sliver for God?

And what about family?

If you want to be served some pie in the sky--

Oh what a heavenly prize--

Your pie here on earth will be your test;

Each slice will be judged by its size.

Time and love, thought and money,

Are ingredients each pie must take.

Follow God's Word as a recipe;

To do so is no piece of cake!

Ingredients are very important;

Measure carefully for your pie.

But if it matters not how you slice it,

It will in the sweet by and by.

Becky L. Wall

THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS

The Temptation of Jesus

(Matthew 4:1-11)

 

Jesus was led by the Spirit;

Into the desert He vanished.

After fasting forty days and nights,

He wasn’t just hungry; He was famished.

The devil could see He was weak,

So he came to Him and said,

"If you are really the Son of God,

Tell these stones to turn into bread."

Jesus quoted from the Bible,

Tho’ it is doubtful Satan heard:

“Man cannot live on bread alone,

True life comes from God’s Word.”

Then the devil took Christ to Jerusalem,

To the temple’s highest height.

"If you are the Son of God," he said,

"Jump off this holy site."

"For it is written in God’s Word:
You will never be left alone,
The angels will lift you up in their hands,
So your foot doesn’t strike a stone."

Tho’ the devil twisted God’s Word,

Jesus knew the Bible best.

So He answered, "It is also written:

‘Do not put the Lord to the test.'"

Satan took Him to a high mountain,

Where the kingdoms of the world they could see.

“All this I will give you," said Satan,

"If you’ll bow down and worship me."

"Away from me, Satan!" Jesus said.

"For it is also written there:"

'Worship the Lord and serve him only.’"

So the devil slithered back to his lair.

When the devil left Jesus alone,

Angels tended to Him.

If He hadn’t withstood the temptations,

Our future would be quite grim.

Becky L. Wall

THE PRISON I'M LIVING IN

THE PRISON I’M LIVING IN

(Based on Ps. 25:15, Ps. 140:5, Ps. 141:9, Ps. 142:3, Prov. 3:26)

I cry to the Lord for mercy.

When troubles come, I complain.

Though my faith is tested and my spirit grows faint,

God is there, aware of my pain.

On the path I daily walk,

A snare is set for me.

Satan is not concerned for my life.

He will never just let me be.

It is You, Lord, who knows my way,

When my days are full of strife.

The times I am in bondage,

I seek You to restore my life.

You rescue me from my enemy,

Whether man, grief, sickness or sin.

You rescue me and set me free,

From the prison I’m living in.

Becky Wall

Note that the prison door is open. All the person has to do is walk through it, though that's often easier said than done.

beckyowall.blogspot.com

key words: #addiction #foodaddiction #domesticabuse #deathgrief #aprisonertosickness

WHERE IS GOD?

WHERE IS GOD?

On the top of a mountain, God is there.

In the valley below, He is there.

From the ends of the earth to the heavens above,

Wherever you go, God is there.

In a rippling brook, God is there.

In the deepest sea, He is there.

From the widest ocean to the smallest pond,

Even in your tears, God is there.

In a tiny atom, God is there.

In the sun and moon, He is there.

In a faraway galaxy or here on earth,

In the whole universe, God is there.

In the light of your eye, God is there.

In a baby's soft cry, He is there.

In the taste of honey or the scent of a rose,

In every part of your being, He is there.

In a still, small voice, God is there.

In the roar of thunder, He is there.

In a burning bush and a fiery furnace;

In the belly of a whale, God was there.

When a child is conceived, God is there.

In the cry of the wild, He is there.

In the rocks and trees and the air we breathe,

In all of creation, God is there.

When you're on your knees, God is there.

When you repent, He is there.

When you stumble and fall and begin anew,

In a word called "love," God is there.

With Christ in the womb, God was there.

With Christ in the tomb, He was there.

When His Son rose from His borrowed grave,

And again in a cloud, God was there.

Before all time, God was there,

And in the future, He'll be there.

He's even there in the here and now;

When time is no more, He will be there.

When the sun grows dark, God will be there.

When the stars fall, He will be there.

When we hear the final trumpet call,

If heaven is our home, God will be there.

Becky Wall

beckyowall.blogspot.com

WORKS

WORKS

Within these verses you will see that works includes what you do to help others and what work you do with your hands.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Matt. 3:7-8

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ... James 2:14-26

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. Proverbs 31:13

Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31:31

The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and grows faint. Isaiah 44:12 (Note that he shapes an idol. He gets no "points" for that.)

I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you. Isaiah 57:12

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”John 6:28-29

Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. John 7:3

Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. Romans 4:4