Day 220 - Persecution

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 30

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

It is the week of Easter, 2013.  So we have the excruciating crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ coupled with His exhilarating resurrection.  I see Jesus all throughout Michael’s words of Day 220 reminding me of the victory won on that old rugged Cross 2,000 years ago.

DAY 220

Persecution

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. --II Corinthians 12:10

Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. --Philippians 4:11

In general, people being persecuted are ushered off to a remote place, a factory, or a small cell of isolation where there is no need for them to have daily concerns about providing for a normal lifestyle. It does no good to concern themselves with food, clothing, family, friends, work, heat, or electricity. So in the case of Christians, what normally would take attention away from Christ flies to the background as in essence they are cut off from everything but Him. This accomplishes the exact opposite of the end desired by the persecutors, because far from being a punishment, persecution actually causes believers to experience Jesus in a far more unhindered nearness. This testimony is heard often from those who have experienced persecution. 

Why bring up such a subject? Many believe that the end is near since there are many interesting signs taking place, one sign being the promise of persecution for our faith. I have noticed that the end result of this speculation for many is fear of the future, fear of the enemy, feelings of hopelessness, loss of control, and a clamoring to be prepared. There is no need to worry that the end of life is to be centered in fear, for the believer who has been able to stand against the anti-Christ movement in television, media, schools, music, politics, and morals need not perceive the standing against persecution “as though some strange thing were happening to” him (I Peter 4:12). I have often wondered which would be worse, to be ushered off to a prison camp or to have one’s child tell him that he has listened to the teachers at school and decided that he is homosexual. Will it not be easier to suffer for the name of Christ than to watch a beloved child suffer in sin? Not only will God give grace needed at the time, but the believer will grow during the time of physical persecution, learning that when he is weak, then He is strong, and experiencing the freedom of self-denial while following Jesus down a road he had always thought too difficult. Do not be filled with fear, for God always gives the provision where needed. 

In our earthly minds we would never want persecution, nor “wish” it upon anyone else.  Yet Got tells us through the Apostle Paul that this is one of the greatest of life’s experiences leading us to dependence on Him.  Wow!

Have you read 1 Peter 4:12-14 closely and soaked on those words?  “Rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings…the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.”  Oh, my.  How beautiful is that!

Michael makes a very profound statement: “not only will God give grace needed at the time.”  If we Believers would only believe that, and know that God will “perform” at the time of our need.  Fear, of the nature mentioned, is not of Christ.  Why?  There is nothing the nearness of Christ cannot overcome.  Vintage MW.

But look at Michael’s next words…”the believer will grow.”  Amen!  As Michael used to point out, the church needs a “ministry of weakness.”  Many are not “growing” because of pride and self and avoidance of suffering and weakness.  A beloved teacher, Dr. T. W. Hunt, once pointed out that “identification with Christ is the highest life principle in the Bible.”  Identification is experiencing Christ.  When we are “partakers of Christ’s sufferings…reproached for the name of Christ,” we are identifying ourselves with Him.  It is the key to God’s glory…the key to God being glorified through His Saints.

Have no fear, dear Christian.  God WILL give every provision when needed.

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point              Green – IT, Incredible Truth         

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

P. O. Box 633244    Nacogdoches, Tx 75963                                      936-559-5696