2 Corinthians 12:7-10, To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8) Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10) That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight, in persecutions, in difficulties. for when I am weak, then I am strong. Human weakness is an ideal opportunity to witness the power of the divine Lord and the effect He has on ordinary people. Through the conversion of Paul to the revelation of John we see the awesome power of God. We witness this through changes in people here, today, in this age of accountability. The Lords grace is made perfect in ones weakness. Think about this as we visualize Christianity in the most devastating area's of the world, as we bring others to Christ Jesus. We may not often understand His power that changes ones heart in doing evangelism or missionary work, and we could not understand it in our human nature, yet we feel it, we sense it, because He is here with us. The enemy of Satan is rampant among our pastors, priest, and clergy servants. We do not often hear the surmountable devastation his evilness will track, resulting in wayward paths of destructiveness, but it is evident in our society and world view today with idolatry and taking the name of God out of our system and our very hearts, that we know evil is everywhere. Satan will try any means to keep the will of God and His design plan from happening, even if it results in the loss of life or in the chaos of mass death towards Christan's. Yet, anyone living in Christ and doing His work should be proudly devoted to the only sure truth and trust, the Father gives to us, even as we are being persecuted for it. It is in those weakest moments that we can rest in our humility and our devastating fear in the Lord our Savior. Being a Christian and placing charity around the world, even in good works, we will find our self ridiculed for our kindness and hated for our devotion to God. Paul was feared because he loved to persecute and capture Christians for the kill. He would go great distances and enjoyed what he did, as it was his duty. As Paul persecuted Christians, Jesus allowed him to know that he also persecuted Him. "Why, why Saul do you persecute me?" You know, the power of the Holy One is life changing, as Paul would soon discover. He converted to Christianity and was one of the best evangelist for Christ, witnessing first hand Gods love for man and bearing that same persecution he once delivered to others. Just as false teachers came into Corinth, we must battle those false teachings that consume others and are teaching wrong. People who do the work of the Lord have a sense of sanctity that is difficult to explain to someone who has closed their heart, which is why Christan's have apologetics in defense of biblical rights where Jesus is often forsakened. We are a strong religion not trying to take over people but their souls, spirit, in righteousness and with the good news of salvation, so that they can knowingly understand and make the choice in their life, which path they are going to follow. Many will say the God we represent is a false God. Yet, our God does not promote killing and blatant murder. The Father designed each and everyone of us with a purpose. He is sovereign with an almighty force that is far reaching benevolent in love and in grace. He brings ultimate joy and comfort to the believers. Preachers signify faith that is sacrificed and the everlasting heaven to others on a regular basis. If people want to ride the winds of evil, then they are blinded to the gifts of the spirit for all of humankind. God put us here to experience this time on Earth and all the wonders of space and His holiness and to please Him. Nobody knows it better than our church leaders how difficult it is bringing belief to an unjust world, as violence against Christianity escalates. Yet we have true martyrs in Christ that do this service everyday, not knowing what their tomorrows will bring. Look at Stephen, for his beliefs, he was stoned. As sure as Paul witnessed this action, did the Lord make him a righteous man. Paul was shipwrecked, beaten, left for dead, thrown in jail, for his conversion to a Christian life. Paul had a personal relationship with the Lord, that is a life changing event. This is why people will go out, willing to challenge others, while risking their life in the name of Christ, for the truth, the light and the way. Persecution is a world devastation. In the year 2008, 121 believers in Christ including pastors were murdered in India by an anti-Christian terrorist group. Over 5,000 homes destroyed. More then 235 homes and places of worship burned to the ground. In this act of hate, Satan cause, more than 70,000 people left with no where to go. They were displaced by belief. They bravely fought against their violent opposition, while boldly shouting out the name of the Lord in the mist of their tragedy. Evangelist and missionaries are among some of our hope in pursuing the gospel to others. In another trying case, the Chinese government wants to contain Protestant growth in their country. Yet, God shows us that He is on the side of the believer with over 600,000 new Christians in the Vietnam territories alone. Once people of religious oppression realize the truth, they are willing to live a Godly life for Him. This is His omnipotent power. Courageous Christians like these leaders know their place in His heart and it gives them peace in the most outrageous calamities. God is greater than any police, government or policy. Though taunted for being Christian and coverting others, His love makes these fearless evangelist stronger than ever to do His will. In the year June, 2009, the village of Bahmani in Pakistan made news as muslims announced that Christains had insulted the prophet Mohammed. A mob of about 150 muslims were arranged to set up against the Christians, burning 16 of their homes and damaging 60 other homes pouring kerosene on people and setting a flame to their bodies. Again in July it was circulated a rumor, that a young Christain man desecrated the Quran by burning pages from the holy book. This was only a rumor. This all happened in a village called Korian. Faithful Muslims heard this and wanted to teach Christains a lesson. They looted and burned homes once again, to send out a message to the Kafirs, that if they reject the Muslim faith, then they deserved death, and so the violence continues all around the world. It is the radical Muslim ideology we speak of, the same ideology that drove suicide bombers into an Islamic University. The same ideology that drove suicide bombers into the Twin Towers, killing thousands, of which most were Christians. We must remember that a step away from God is a step away from greatness. We see this growing hatred in a worldview against Christians everday, nevertheless, we do have a growing number of Christians willing to put their life on the line for Christ as He did in salvation for us. Being a Christian leader is the high call from God, no matter where He sends you or what he has you doing in service. It is His omnipotent presence in our life that we willingly want to do His will. Yes, there are too many false religions and false teachers, preachers in the world today that sound convincing but are not doing the Lords work. These religions give us nothing that we can learn from if our heart belongs to God. It is for this that the persecuted in the name of the Father do not look for fame or glory unless it is directed towards the Lord, alone. It is in the times of turmoil and weakness, when our homes are burning and our faith results in assault that Christians doing Gods work around the world know that His grace is sufficient for them and that His power is made perfect in those weak moments, but our love and His never wavers below His grace of righteousness.
God bless, Deaconess Barb
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