Encouragement For These Days We Are In

Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. – Matthew 5:11-12 (King James)

The original Greek word for revile in this text is, oneidizo (on-i-did’-zo): to defame; i.e. rail at, chide, taunt, reproach, upbraid.

I also looked up a couple words in the Webster’s dictionary…

defame – to attack the good name or reputation of, to slander. To disgrace. To accuse.

rail – to utter bitter complaints or vehement denunciation.

The rest of the word meanings go in the same general direction…mock, censure, find fault…

This is a perfect example of what the Church as a whole faces every day in this world. With the recent election results, it is inevitable that our values are about to be under a MAJOR attack.

We are persecuted and ridiculed by people, entertainment, and high profile organizations. We are told it is not OK to pray in schools or have the ten commandments displayed publicly. We are mocked on late night television. We are accused of being “narrow minded.”

Same sex marriages are about to be the norm…partial birth abortion murder does not appall voters. Everywhere you look the morals in this world are quickly and steadily declining. It is a full frontal attack against the children of the Most High God. It is a very powerful and strategic attack by the forces of evil. These are VERY scary times…IF you do not have the ONE Who created all things on your side!

Knowing that we have a great reward waiting for us in heaven for the evil we must face in this world is definitely something to look forward to. However, we must NOT quietly and apathetically sit back while evil takes over the world. We MUST let our voices be heard and make it a very hard, uphill battle for the demonic worms. We MUST make a difference for the sake of our children.

Many are and will be tempted to live FOR this world and the cares of it…think about this election. The winner dangled financial help in our faces. What did many do? EVEN the saints??? We gave in as a nation. How sad is that?!

Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.

But the gate is narrow (contracted) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. – Matthew 7:13-14

This is a very interesting statement that Jesus made. The word gate comes from the Greek word pules and means; a door, gate, large door or entrance of a large city. To be distinguished from (thura), a common door.

This tells me that there are two places these gates take us…Heaven and hell.

The scary part of this is the “few” part. There are MANY people who “claim” to be Christians, yet their lives and CHOICES do not show it. We should be certain that we are on the right path. Our flesh will always try to lead us back to the easier (broad) path.

It is NOT easy to walk the narrow road. It can be lonely and scary. However, no matter how hard it is, we know that pearly gates, streets of gold, and a loving God lay at the end of the narrow road.

On the contrary, the broad road leads to hell. A horrible and extremely wicked and unhappy place. Unfortunately, when we are on the broad path we don’t see it that way. It’s easy and fun. It’s all about the flesh and self.

Even we Christian’s can be lead astray onto the broad path. If you see yourself making compromises, sinning in a particular area frequently, and adapting yourself to this world and it’s ways, you may want to step back, take a look at your life, repent and find your way back to the narrow path. On it you will make harder choices, but your ending will be MUCH better!

I would like to close with James…

So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.

But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].

For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror;

For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.

But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience). – James 1:21-25

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved

Let’s Pray,

Daddy God, thank You for all that You have waiting for me when I come home. Thank You for Your great love. Lord, help me to stand for Truth and Righteousness. Help me to let my voice be heard. Help me to get up and make a difference, instead of letting the devil win without any resistance. Help me to be a BRIGHTLY shining light in this dark world. And help me to teach my children to do the same. Help me to not fear. Help me to RISE up for YOUR Name sake. Help me to stand out in the crowd. Help me to tell others about You and Your great love for them. Lord, please protect my family from this present darkness. Keep us safe and in YOUR mighty Hand. I love You, Lord. Thank You. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

Your Homework:

PRAY…PRAY…and PRAY some more. Pray the WORD. Pray for your family. Pray for this country! PRAY!

In His Love and Service,

Lara ;)

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved