March 7 Prepare for Persecution Matthew 5:11-12
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “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)
In the past 12 years, I have seen a rapid acceleration of a “Persecution” environment, that is becoming the “Norm,” verses the “Exception!” It seems to me that everyone is “offended” by something! As you sort through the “Offenses,” you quickly see that, only the “Traditional and Truthful” thoughts, actions and words are offensive. How could it possibly be that the instructions of the Ten Commandments would be offensive to any “Common Sense” thinking individual? Then it became crystal clear! If there is a “Standard,” or “An Absolute Truth,” then theses unbelievable actions and programs and political thought would not have the ability to exist! Evil hates the Truth! Satan wants to distort, and confuse and to dominate the thoughts of everyone! OK, here we go! Being offended by a plastic potato or being outraged over an expression of diverse opinion or wanting to change the designations of male and female to some generic and non-descriptive language or labelling anything that does not promote the “If It Feels Good DO It” mentality or the wholesale rejection of the natural, God-Given order of the Universe, well, Common Sense has truly died! Folks, WAKE UP! We are just a few days from the Holy Words of God, found in the Bible, to be declared “Hate Speech!” Last Friday, I was in the Walmart, in Zebulon, and was in a conversation with a “Lady,” as we were standing, waiting to check out. I could tell that she was troubled, yet, her words were pleasant and SHE engaged me in conversation. She asked me what I did for a living. I told her that I was a Pastor and that it was more of a passion than an occupation. Oh Boy! She began to tell me that she thought that I was a purveyor of lies and “Hate” motivated teachings. She transformed into a “persecutor,” right before my eyes. I asked her if she had ever read the Bible or if she had ever heard me preach, and her response was shocking! “I would never read that “Hate filled, intolerant pack of Lies! As for me listening to anything that you would say: absolutely not!” I was dumbfounded! We went from a friendly and cordial conversation to a condemnation and outright persecution of me, just because I answered a question. Yes, I am a Pastor and, Yes, I am an Evangelist, and, Yes, I am going to proclaim God’s Holy Word, and, Yes, it is going to be offensive to those who have surrender their lives, their hearts and their Common Sense over to Satan. The last thing that she said to me was amazing! “You need to learn some TOLERANCE!” At this point, she had an audience and she was “Playing” to the crowd! She pushed her cart towards the door, but took time to give me “The Finger” as she quickly exited the building. The clerk, checking me out, was as shocked as me. “What is wrong with her?” EVIL! She has bought into the Lies, of our day, and refuses to see her intolerance, while preaching Tolerance! Folks, get ready! You must be PRAYED UP, READ UP and READY TO BATTLE EVIL! “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.” Notice, the scripture says, “WHEN,” not “IF,” you will be persecuted! Stay True to your convictions and commitments and “Rejoice!” We are living in a “Hostile” environment and it requires the “ENTIRE SUIT OF SPIRITUAL ARMOR” in order to survive and to thrive! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…..THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
(Note: The last thing that this lady did; was prompted by my last word to her… “Remember, Jesus Loves You!” Her response was a great example of EVIL’s TOLERANCE… her middle finger!!)