Godliness / Persecution

[Honibee]

II Timothy 3 talks much about perilous times and those who will have a form of godliness, but deny it's power (vs 5). Verse 12 states 'those who would live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution'- it is implied, at the hands of those 'professing godliness'.

I'm curious how many have suffered persecution for obedience to the Word of God, though it was not the popular stance in your 'christian' circle.

The last half of the year has been a trial in this regard for me, and has involved being 'shunned' by several family members and friends. At times, it's felt like I'm standing alone, though I know God is ALWAYS with me, and I have known His comfort. Sometimes it helps to know others have been there.

 

[Tashie]

I live in a fairly open country - England! But of course i do experiance discromination from my family at time to time for doing things like devotions - reading bible etc, mild really compared to some things.

 

[Honibee]

Hi Tashie- Thanks for responding to my question. I wonder if you have
someone from your church that can encourage you. God bless you for walking with the Lord regardless of the 'discrimination' of your family.

 

[angelwind]

I would not say I suffer open persecution from my family...but there is a seperation of heart and fellowship as I try to live out my walk with the Lord...and they are not. Yet, to be without Jesus would be most horrifying to me...what would life be at all without Him.

 

[Honibee]

Yet, to be without Jesus would be most horrifying to me...what would life be at all without Him.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[Tashie]

amen! My families discrimination has definately got less an dless as they have begun to realise how serious i am in following Jesus. My Church are amazing and my pastor and his wife especially are always supporting me and encouraging me.

 

[L0U]

The last half of the year has been a trial in this regard for me, and has involved being 'shunned' by several family members and friends. At times, it's felt like I'm standing alone, though I know God is ALWAYS with me, and I have known His comfort. Sometimes it helps to know others have been there.

In the end, who has always come out of their trouble smiling?

Was it Paul?
"He was looking for his brother in a big city. It was difficult. His brother had no telephone, and, besides, there was no phone book. There was no photograph to show people in the street. Many of the churches were ashamed of this convicted felon brother and did not offer to help find him. What a sad joke. His brother was a Christian about to be executed because of his preaching. But people were turning their faces the other way.
The rattle of chains is unpleasant music in most circles. The chained brother was a great writer, a brilliant speaker, perhaps the most influential Christian in the Mediterranean. Jesus Christ had personally ordained him. His name was Paul, the Apostle Paul. The man searching for this abandoned hero was named Onesiphorus. You can read about this search in the first chapter of Paul's last known letter, 2 Timothy." (VOM)

Was it Joseph?
Was it Peter?
Was it Jesus?

Fill in the stories and do not let the disobedience of others spawn disobedience within yourself, Honibee.
Your Father is your Father and you must come to know that every troubled situation; every pit of dispair, every wave on this sea that we call life is but a forge wherin God is working strength into His children.

 

[Honibee]

Fill in the stories and do not let the disobedience of others spawn disobedience within yourself, Honibee.

Blesss you abundantly, brother- for bringing it down to the bottom line. I'm learning there is FELLOWSHIP in His suffering. And my personal suffering in this regard UNITES me to my fellow-servants who also suffer. My honest prayers are for the very thing you mention- continued obedience.

Hebrews 12 tells us to 'consider HIM'- who endured to the point of blood and death, the reviling and faithlessness of unjust men. Why? So WE don't loose heart...

In any way I can, I want to serve my precious brothers and sisters who are growing faint... to encourage them to 'look unto Jesus' ... HIS grace IS sufficient...

Lou, you've blessed me more than you can imagine with your admonishment- God bless!

 

[angelwind]

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In the end, who has always come out of their trouble smiling?

Was it Paul?
"He was looking for his brother in a big city. It was difficult. His brother had no telephone, and, besides, there was no phone book. There was no photograph to show people in the street. Many of the churches were ashamed of this convicted felon brother and did not offer to help find him. What a sad joke. His brother was a Christian about to be executed because of his preaching. But people were turning their faces the other way.
The rattle of chains is unpleasant music in most circles. The chained brother was a great writer, a brilliant speaker, perhaps the most influential Christian in the Mediterranean. Jesus Christ had personally ordained him. His name was Paul, the Apostle Paul. The man searching for this abandoned hero was named Onesiphorus. You can read about this search in the first chapter of Paul's last known letter, 2 Timothy." (VOM)

Was it Joseph?
Was it Peter?
Was it Jesus?

Fill in the stories and do not let the disobedience of others spawn disobedience within yourself, Honibee.
Your Father is your Father and you must come to know that every troubled situation; every pit of dispair, every wave on this sea that we call life is but a forge wherin God is working strength into His children.

You have helped me too...we must learn to endure to the end.

 

[Gods_Desert_Man]

Well we need too study,the bible too with hold all tyeps of persuction,Remember in your hearts and use your mouth too say too them Jesus is Lord I will never denie him

 

[Honibee]

In studying the life of Ezekial, I've found MUCH comfort in the promise to him, I've taken as my own. In chp. 3, verses 8-9 we read this:

8) Behold, I have made YOUR face as hard as their faces and your forehead as hard as their foreheads.

9) Like emery harder than flint I have made your forehead. Do not be afraid of them or be dismayed before them...

In other words, when we face hard-hearted people who would bring persecution to our lives, God will give strength to remain strong in our stand for truth, in the spirit of love.

Blessings to you as you stand for HIS Truth,

~H

 

[Qidron]

Ha, I remember reading that scripture and thinking...well it sounds like head butting time is coming.. but as it turns out, all we have to do is STAND in Him. It gets hard; I get tired; I rest and trust in Him and I am strengthened. The Truth is the Truth and there IS NO alternate reality. Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. The persecution against my life in Christ has not stopped...but He continually with me....we are more than conquerors in Christ.
Blessings to you

 

[Honibee]

Ha, I remember reading that scripture and thinking...well it sounds like head butting time is coming.. but as it turns out, all we have to do is STAND in Him. It gets hard; I get tired; I rest and trust in Him and I am strengthened. The Truth is the Truth and there IS NO alternate reality. Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. The persecution against my life in Christ has not stopped...but He continually with me....we are more than conquerors in Christ.
Blessings to you

So true!

The Truth is the Truth and there IS NO alternate reality. Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life.

Like Peter stated, 'Where can we go, HE has the words of life...'

 

[Sing_for_the_Savior]

I really wouldn't consider what people say/do to me persecution because it's not as bad as it could be, but I do consider it making fun of and bullying. People at my school know that my beliefs are important to me and play a big role in my life. They know that cursing and talking about sick things bothers me so everytime they're around me they'll curse and say other sick things just to bother me. Once they see that it's upsetting me they'll just laugh and keep on doing it. It's very frustrating, but I just say a silent prayer and know that God has it under control and that He's with me. Jesus is the only one who really gets me through the day.

 

[Todd600RR]

I have had alot of persecution lately about my faith. It is coming from a few atheist and some others that aren't really sure what they believe. They just don't talk about their beliefs they attack my faith very aggressively with alot of hatred towards anyone in the Christian faith. At first it got me down, not because of their persecution but because my heart broke for them because they were blinded by their own stubbornness.

Everytime I am persecuted for my faith I am reminded of John 15:20 "......If they persecuted me, they will persecuted you also......" for me it is considered a blessing to be persecuted, Jesus was persecuted daily and that is who I am trying my best to live like. So I tell the world persecute away, make me more like Christ.

 

[MargoPego]

I haven't been persecuted by anyone in my family - thankfully they're all believers! But I have been persecuted on a small scale at times because of my beliefs & what I stand for. One time I was persecuted by a potential employer because I told her that I could not be silent if someone asked me about my beliefs or about why I lived my life the way I did. She scoffed & told me that she couldn't hire me. Actually, I don't know if I'd actually call that persecution - is it? But I do look upon it as being discriminated against, & I guess that's a form of persecution. People have kept me out of things & refused to include me in events because I stood up against certain things. The events didn't go against God's Word, but the people didn't want me around because I'm a Christian & they didn't agree with me.

Is that actually persecution? I'm not sure, but it is being put down because of my faith, I believe.

 

[Servant4Yeshuah]

Ha, I remember reading that scripture and thinking...well it sounds like head butting time is coming.. but as it turns out, all we have to do is STAND in Him. It gets hard; I get tired; I rest and trust in Him and I am strengthened. The Truth is the Truth and there IS NO alternate reality. Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. The persecution against my life in Christ has not stopped...but He continually with me....we are more than conquerors in Christ.
Blessings to you

I agree with you so much...I have suffered much at times...but my friends...
Do you notice the peace of God that seems to abide most strongly during these times? It defies the circumstances....Praise God

 

[Valentine]

I thank God for those of you who are willing to suffer ridicule and other forms of persecution, yet still stand up for your beliefs.

 

[Qidron]

I thank God for those of you who are willing to suffer ridicule and other forms of persecution, yet still stand up for your beliefs.

Honibee said it....Like Peter stated, 'Where can we go, HE has the words of life...'

We can't do anything BUT take up our cross and follow Him...there is no where else to go, nothing else to do.

 

[MargoPego]

Honibee said it....Like Peter stated, 'Where can we go, HE has the words of life...'

We can't do anything BUT take up our cross and follow Him...there is no where else to go, nothing else to do.

AMEN!