Persecution, Spiritual Warfare and Standing for Your Faith

January 2, 2013

This morning I had a dream. I was teaching and mentoring Christians both young and old alike in the Christian faith. I would do by example what I would teach. One day out in public and on the street I began proclaiming with a loud voice
the story of the birth of Jesus to his death and resurrection. As I was
speaking I suddenly felt my jaw tighten, making it hard to speak. This
is not the first time I’ve had a dream like this. It seems the enemy has
a need to clamp my jaw shut in order to make me stop talking (LOL). But
it wasn’t working. The attack made me want to say what I was saying
publicly MORE and LOUDER! This strong will in me is a good thing in a
time like this. As I continued to speak despite the pain in my jaw my
face went numb and my jaw would no longer move. Realizing I could not
speak I fell to my knees still speaking yet now at the same time praying
for the LORD to release me from the Enemies grasp (for He hears me even
if others cannot). Then I woke up.

What do I get from this dream? Our message is threatening to the
enemy and those around us who would disagree with what we are saying and
proclaiming. Despite the threat we impose we need to do what God has
called us to do. When we do Satan will come against us with all his
forces to shut us down and make it impossible to do what that thing
we’re called to. Despite his attacks we need to understand that God sees
and knows. We can cry out to Him. Jesus is greater than anything that
comes against us. Prayer is so important!

As Paul said, “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die
to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (Romans
14:8).

From A.W. Tozer: “Now more than at any other time in generations, the
believer is in a position to go on the offensive. The world is lost on a
wide sea, and Christians alone know the way to the desired haven. While
things were going well, the world scorned them with their Bible and
hymns, but now the world needs them desperately, and it needs that
despised Bible, too. For in the Bible, and there only, is found the
chart to tell us where we are going on this rough and unknown ocean. The
day when Christians should meekly apologize is over—they can get the
world's attention not by trying to please, but by boldly declaring the
truth of divine revelation. They can make themselves heard not by
compromise, but by taking the affirmative and sturdily declaring, 'Thus
saith the Lord.' "

“If they must die, let them not be afraid of death, but let there be a meaning, O God, in their dying.”Are you willing to do THAT THING God has called you to do even if it leads to scorn and even death? What if this is the fulfillment of
Jeremiah 29:11 for you: “For I know the plans I have for you," declares
the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future.” What if His plan for you is to only be scorned then
in the end to die? If we are scorned it should be because we love others
and preach Christ. I say with missionary to China Gladys Alward as she
watched over 200 college students die by beheading in an arena because
they would not support communism, “


May we stand, preach, serve and die in boldness to the Lord Jesus
Christ! Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him
who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4).