Martyrs…

Martyrs…

Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

We watched the movie: ‘God’s Outlaw’ some time ago, the story of William Tyndale, the man who translated the Bible into English, and who was burned at the stake for distributing it throughout England, in defiance of the king, and the Roman Catholic Church. His final prayer as they burned him: “Lord, open the eyes of the king!” History records that the kings eyes were opened, and he allowed open distribution of the Bible amongst the common people.

History records that ‘the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church’, that as Christians have been killed for refusing to deny their faith, that God vindicated their blood, in establishing strong churches where the gospel had previously been forbidden.

There is a Christian classic book called: ‘Foxes book of Martyrs’ and a ministry today in the earth named ‘Voice of the Martyrs’ that teaches us that wicked people still kill Christians today, and that God still works, even when His servants are slaughtered.

At this point in my life, I have too much left to do for Jesus in the earth, to consider looking for that final crown, Scripture calls ‘the martyrs crown’, shared by all of the apostles, and many, many great saints over the ages.

History records the life of a great martyr, bearing the same name, a theologian named Justin Martyr, who lived during the reign of Emporer Junius Rusticus (who governed from 162 and 168. The Emporer ordered Martyr to bow before him, and this is what history records:

‘The Prefect Rusticus says: Approach and sacrifice, all of you, to the gods. Justin says: No one in his right mind gives up piety for impiety. The Prefect Rusticus says: If you do not obey, you will be tortured without mercy. Justin replies: That is our desire, to be tortured for Our Lord, Jesus Christ, and so to be saved, for that will give us salvation and firm confidence at the more terrible universal tribunal of Our Lord and Saviour. And all the martyrs said: Do as you wish; for we are Christians, and we do not sacrifice to idols. The Prefect Rusticus read the sentence: Those who do not wish to sacrifice to the gods and to obey the emperor will be scourged and beheaded according to the laws. The holy martyrs glorifying God betook themselves to the customary place, where they were beheaded and consummated their martyrdom confessing their Saviour’

I believe we are called to live a long time, and that we can believe for God’s protection:

Ps 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Ps 92:14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

These are the verses I stand upon for my life, at least the first part of Ps 92:4, I want fruit in my older age, but I  got back into shape, so I am not looking to fulfill the ‘fat’ part!

Seriously, though, we as Christians should not fear death. One person held at gunpoint said to their would-be robber: ‘You cannot threaten me with heaven!’.
Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Death has lost it’s sting and is swallowed up in eternal life. Anyone can die, it takes courage and God’s power to live, and experience Jesus promise of life and life more abundantly!

Let’s Pray:
“Father, I want to live for you. I ask you to make me fruitful today, and that you protect me from all harm, and that the promise of Jesus, of life and life more abundantly, become real in my life. Deliver me from the fear of death, may I have such a revelation of your perfect love, that all of my fears are destroyed. On that final day, if I am to be killed for my faith, give me courage, boldness, and faith, to glorify you in my death, without fear, in your name I pray Lord Jesus

Satan Knows Scripture too…

As I again read these passages, I am reminded that satan knows Scripture too…

During the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness we read of the conversation between satan and Jesus:

Matt 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Mt 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Notice here, that Satan tempted Jesus with the Scripture, probably with one of the very verses He was praying and basing His faith upon.

Yet, Jesus knew the voice of the Holy Spirit, and did not yield.

Ever been in that place where God tells you something, and Satan brings Scripture after Scripture to confront, confuse, and sway you from the specific thing you know God told you to do?

Stand upon His Word to you, and His voice. He will comfort, strengthen and sustain you, NO COMPROMISE!

Ps 105: ¹⁷ He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
¹⁸ whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: ¹⁹ until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.

The very word spoken to your heart is being tested, and so are you. You must prevail over the doubts, rationalizations, ungodly counsel, and even the Scriptures misquoted to your mind and heart by satan himself, to prevail and see His promise performed.

Let’s Pray:

‘Father, I humble myself again before Your mighty hand, asking again, for grace to fulfill that which you promised, without compromise. Jesus, I need You. Amen’

 

No Compromises with God — This Day With God

There were many opportunities for Pharaoh to repent. Each time he hardened his heart and would not agree to what God wanted. In Exodus 10, he tried to compromise and let only the men go. This was not acceptable so the Lord brought on the plague of locusts. Again, there was repentance from Pharaoh and […]

via No Compromises with God — This Day With God

The Whole Counsel of God?

All the Counsel of God!

Acts 20:25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

All the counsel of God?

No light task!

Job thought he knew God, yet we read:

Job 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 ¶ Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

After God Himself showed up, and questioned him, Job humbly stated:

Job 42:3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

One persecutor to a well known, word based ministry left a meeting exclaiming: “I’m outta here! This preacher doesn’t preach the whole counsel of God!” After the meeting, the minister asked one of his ushers, why the man left.
The usher repeated the man’s comment, whereby the minister exclaimed with passion:’He’s right! Of course I don’t preach the whole counsel of God! I don’t know the whole counsel of God, but what I do know, works!”

We are living under a new and better covenant with God than Job had, and we do have wisdom, the mind of Christ, and mighty Holy Spirit abiding in and through us, that we might know all things, yet, even for those of us who have been walking with the Lord in His Word for a long time, as leaders, we still study daily, humbly seeking Him, as the challenges we face each day, become increasingly more complex, as we determine to lovingly walk people out of the incredibly tangled messes their lives become from years of sin.

“Neglecting to ask God’s counsel, neglecting to seek God’s timing, you step in to *handle* things. And by and by, you’ve got a mess on your hands.”

― Charles R. Swindoll, Moses: A Man of Selfless Dedication

Do I know the full counsel of God? By faith, yes!

Only because I know the Counsellor, in whom I live and move and have my being.

God’s Word is forever established in the heavens, and I am not alone down here: precious Holy Spirit still speaks, works, and guides me through each day.

It is a daily dependance, a humble walk, a consecrated and obedient live. Holiness, without compromise.

Welcome to leadership in the kingdom of God…

Let’s pray:

‘Father, I need you. I know that in you, I have been made to sit together with Christ, in heavenly places, far above your creation, demons, and the machinations of men: and so I take oversight. Longing for your sight from above to illuminate my eyes, my mind, my heart, that I can provide the leadership your people deserve, and need. Teach me today, strengthen me, keep me pure, that I might be found faithful, top teach Your whole counsel, without compromise, in all of your house. In your name I pray, Lord Jesus, Amen’

Abandoned…

Abandoned!
Hero’s and champions needed – Heaven is still taking applications!

In today’s Bible reading we read:
Esther 4: Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Rev 12: 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.

Ever been so caught up in the ‘grip of God’, sensing that your life is destined to affect to outcome and deliverance of nations, that you make what appear to be do or die, life or death decisions, recognizing that desperate times, require desperate actions. This is where I live…abandoned to Him, NO COMPROMISE!

Let’s Pray:
‘Father, strip from me, my deception, complacency, my accepance of the status quo, and whatever it takes, grant to me, a total consecration to Your perfect will and destiny for my life. Use me, as a history maker, nation shaker, as I deliver Your people and do whatever it takes, to bring heaven into the earth, that we might LIVE and not die, in Your name I pray Lord Jesus!”