May 4 Suppression/Persecution? 1 Peter 4:12-14
**The leak of a brief from the SCOTUS has caused a “firestorm” of reactions! What has amazed me, and distressed me, is the reactions of professing Christian Believers! Satan, and his minions, are going to “scream” foul, over this “injustice” (that has not happened yet) and the thought of denying the “rights” and “freedoms” for women to control their own physical wellbeing. Sadly, this issue has been an issue for my entire life! It fascinates me that this one issue, this one “lightning rod” issue has become the “litmus” test for every politician, since 1973. The anger and energy that has been displayed by those who have decided that this is the defining issue of the century, seem to turn a “blind-eye” to the carnage and destruction of an entire generation of young men and women, in the inner cities of our land. The “right” to end the life of an unborn baby seems to be more important than saving the life of a young teenage individual in the inner cities. Listen to this: I am concerned about the implications of this issue and the survival of our “Republic,” however, I am more concerned about Believers that forget their commitments to Christ and choose to follow a “secular” path of witness and proclamation! Evil and this world are going to continue down this pathway of destruction, so please choose today, whom you will serve! “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 KJV)!
ANNOUNCEMENT: Baptist Tabernacle Church will be 100 years old, in 2022. A grand celebration is planned for May 22, 2022, to commemorate the first service as an organized church body! Special information, recognitions, God’s Word, and a catered meal (Parker’s BBQ) will be a part of the celebration. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the festivities. IMPORTANT … **Please RSVP to Ashelyn (Church Secretary), at 919-365-5558 or baptisttabern621@bellsouth.net by May 6, 2022** Additional Note: The Meal will be outside, at the BBQ Shelter Area. There will be transportation provided for those who are unable to walk the distance! The Time is getting closer…
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina…“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” (1 Peter 4:12-14)
Recent activities, current political thought, and a host of other happenings, have made me realize that the times of our lives are becoming difficult and are going to get worse. The government, or should I say, the “so-called” elitists, are trying to control the flow of information and the freedom and right of “Free Speech!” WOW! The Department of Homeland Security, with the blessings of the ruling party and its leadership, have announced the creation of a Disinformation Governance Board is a United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) board announced on April 27, 2022 during a 2023 budget hearing before the United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. Its aim is protecting national security by combatting misinformation and disinformation. The Secretary of the Homeland Security, just a few days ago, declared that the greatest threat to America is coming from “Domestic Terrorism.” Please keep in mind that the definition of “Terrorism,” “Hate Speech,” is a fluid definition, and changes to suit the situation. Why am I bringing this up? It is because, the groundwork is being laid out for any speech, personal, religious, or political, that does not fit within the ever-moving boundaries of acceptable thought and speech, will be immediately suppressed! Believers, just recently, the Finnish Government was prosecuting a Christian for promoting the Bible as truth, and the Government (Prosecutor) was defining the Word of God, as Hate Speech! I was told, recently, that this could not happen in America! Really! Wake-up and pay attention to the process that is occurring around you! This is going to happen! God’s Plan will be FULFILLED! It is coming! There is coming a day when your profession of faith in Jesus Christ will cost you everything that you are and have! Listen, this is not “Doomsday” thought, this is reality!! The scriptures clearly define that we will suffer persecution, suppression and a host of issues related to our Faith and our witness! 2 Timothy 3:12 - Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
John 15:18 - If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
Matthew 5:44 - But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
1 Peter 3:17 - For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
1 Peter 3:14 - But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
The Hope of Jesus, the Love of God, the Leading and Guidance of the Blessed Holy Spirit is FACT! Our responsibility is to embrace His Love, accept His Salvation and to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us through the difficulties ahead! Matthew 5:11-13 tells us the truth… “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. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Humanity, yes, even Believers, have been informed, through the scriptures, the promise that, difficulties, trials, persecution, suppression, and whatever Satan can throw at us, will occur to suppress the Word of God and our living it before sinful and debase people! The intensity of the challenge is before us! WE MUST PREPARE FOR THE BATTLE! WE MUST BE ARMORED UP, PRAYED UP, READ UP AND READY TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGES AHEAD! It is time to get right! It is time that we live out the Gift of God through Jesus Christ! It is time that we stand fast and proclaim the Cause of Christ, before this sinful and debased society! JUST DO IT! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
**The Message today was lengthy, yet necessary to convey the message of Hope, and Victory that is only found in following Jesus Christ, not this world and its standards! **