does GOD think you can handle it?...

another reason why we are to rejoice is because the bible teaches that when you are being persecuted, harassed, it means that GOD can trust you with it.

acts 5.41 (nlt), the apostles left…rejoicing that GOD had counted them worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of JESUS. HE counted them worthy.

we CHRISTians in america know so little about persecution. we have it so easy. yet around the world, thousands of CHRISTians are martyred everyday.

we don't live in that kind of world. but are we blessed? the bible says that they were considered worthy to suffer disgrace. if you've read anything about the church in china you'll know that the CHRISTians there pray for the CHRISTians in america. they say that the persecution has made them stronger believers. CHRISTianity is like a nail, the harder you drive it the deeper it goes into the wood.

there has been tremendous growth in korea. the largest churches are in korea. the korean church was built on the blood of martyrs. when the communists invaded one of the stories i heard was that the prominent pastor and his family were taken. the communists dug a big hole in the ground, put the husband, his wife and three kids in the hole. they then brought the whole city around. they said, "now pastor, renounce your faith or we're going to bury your wife and kids alive." his kids started crying, grabbing his legs, "daddy, don't let us die!" he was getting ready to renounce his faith and his wife put her hand over his mouth and wouldn't let him speak and told the kids to be quiet, "we get to die for the glory of GOD."

is that so bad? are you going to die? yes. wouldn't it be better to die for a cause than to die for nothing? if you're going to die anyway, why not make it worthwhile? that is a privilege to die for JESUS CHRIST. whenever you are allowed harassment and persecution it means GOD thinks you can handle it. and if there is no harassment in your life maybe GOD doesn't think you can handle it. that you're not a strong enough CHRISTian.

just a thought from the front porch…