BLESSED ARE THE PERSECUTED

Stephen63 · Jul 9, 2013

Matthew 5:11 (KJV) [SUP]11[/SUP] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Luke 6:22 (KJV) [SUP]22[/SUP] Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

Blessed? Really? If Jesus said it, that's good enough for me. But in what way are we blessed?

1 Peter 4:12-17 (KJV)
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 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.

The Scriptures tell us that:

It is not an unusual thing for the people of God to be persecuted.
If we suffer here as Christ did, we should hereafter be glorified with him.
Besides the prospect of that future glory; we have at present the Spirit of God for our support and comfort.
That it was an honor for any of us to suffer, not as a criminal, but as a Christian.
Though the afflictions began with Christians, yet the weight of judgement would fall upon the unbelievers. From these considerations he exhorted us to persevere in our duty, and trust God with all things.

14 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.

For instance, if you are persecuted here on CC because you stand on the Word, it is evident that God's spirit is upon you. You are to be happy to suffer for Christ's name.

Stephen63 · Jul 9, 2013

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

There's a difference between suffering for being a troublemaker & for Jesus. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!
Glorify the Lord when you're being persecuted for Him. Do not draw back, or back up. Hebrews 10:37-38 [SUP]37 [/SUP]For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. [SUP]38 [/SUP]Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Why is judgement of the house of God being placed in the middle of the context of suffering persecution? Because God uses persecution to discipline His children.

Hebrews 12:5-8 [SUP]5 [/SUP]And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: [SUP]6 [/SUP]For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. [SUP]7 [/SUP]If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? [SUP]8 [/SUP]But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Every true child of God will be persecuted to discipline them to grow in maturity & faith. Although it looks bad, really it's a blessing!

Stephen63 · Jul 9, 2013

Have you wondered why some of you are verbally persecuted to no end in the BDF? There's a biblical reason. I know, I had to learn it the hard way. Just like the King of Babylon was sent by God to discipline Israel, There are those here on CC sent to do the same for some of us. Just as no one could beat Nebuchadnezzer while God was using him, you will not beat the ones he sends here, either. YOU ARE TO BE BEATEN BY THEM to humble you, & show you GOD"S WAY. Once we all learn this important lesson, this trial will end. Then God will deal with the persecutors.

As best as I can tell, this persecution started here around 2010. My question is "What did we do to bring this on us?" Did we lose our first love? Did we become a respecter of persons? Did we treat everyone the same? Did we segregate ourselves from other christians?

Matthew 5:43-48
[SUP]43 [/SUP]Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [SUP]44 [/SUP]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; [SUP]45 [/SUP]That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. [SUP]46 [/SUP]For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? [SUP]47 [/SUP]And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? [SUP]48 [/SUP]Be ye therefore perfect (mature, complete), even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Galatians 6:8-10
[SUP]8 [/SUP]For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. [SUP]9 [/SUP]And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. [SUP]10 [/SUP]As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

It is evil to treat those we disagree with contempt & wickedness. Some of us here at CC may not be the best christians, BUT WE'RE STILL HIS!

Matthew 25:41-46
[SUP]41 [/SUP]Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: [SUP]42 [/SUP]For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: [SUP]43 [/SUP]I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. [SUP]44 [/SUP]Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? [SUP]45 [/SUP]Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. [SUP]46 [/SUP]And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Stephen63 · Jul 11, 2013

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!

James2v18 · Jul 11, 2013

Stephen63 said:

Matthew 25:41-46
[SUP]41 [/SUP]Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: [SUP]42 [/SUP]For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: [SUP]43 [/SUP]I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. [SUP]44 [/SUP]Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? [SUP]45 [/SUP]Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. [SUP]46 [/SUP]And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Sounds like James was right. Faith plus works. James 2:18

notuptome · Jul 11, 2013

Suffering as a ministry unto the Lord does not garner a lot of volunteers. If you live long enough you will learn to suffer ever so much in the physical sense. If you witness for the Lord to the unsaved you will taste the bitterness of rejection. Yet unless you drink of that cup you cannot taste of the goodness of the Lord.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

James2v18 · Jul 11, 2013

What do all these Saints have in common? Saint Agnes, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Saint Margaret, Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Lawrence, Saint Polycarp, Saint Ignatius, Saint Belina, Saint Justin Martyr, Saint Hippolytus etc..

They were martyred. Killed for being a Christian. Many of their stories are very inspiring. Read about them at Martyr Saints - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online

notuptome · Jul 11, 2013

James2v18 said:

Contrary to catholic teaching all who trust Christ as their Savior are saints. Many have stories that will not be told this side of glory.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

zone · Jul 11, 2013

Stephen63 said:

i'm sorry that you are unhappy about the reality of false doctrines and unbiblical practices of the Pentecostal Movement being challenged and discussed.

it's sad that you believe you are being persecuted for true doctrine and biblical practices.

and it's odd that you go on as you do.

but oh well.

Pentecostal Theology is just wrong.

you're not a martyr; nor a hero protecting the sheep from satan.

you're deflecting the reality that you teach false doctrine and practice unbiblical things.

Stephen63 · Jul 11, 2013

zone said:

Here we go again.

Who said I was a martyr? A hero?

I can speak for myself. When I want you to put words in my mouth, little girl, I'll let you know.

FYI, little girl, there's NOTHING written here about Pentecostals, except what you wrote, Which means you're trying to deceive the readers into missing the true message that was meant.

YOU are the the one who is painting me as a wannabe martyr & a hero. AGAIN, more deception.

WHAT'S ODD IS YOU COMING IN HERE TO DISRUPT THIS THREAD IN THE 1ST PLACE.

What's your angle?

Whose god do you serve?

Why are you even here? If you don't like the thread, go someplace else. Or, better yet, stay here & keep doing what you do so well, & prove the very point I'm trying to make. Either way I'm blessed.

All you're doing is proving how blessed I am. BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU, I am blessed of God. So keep right on blessing me. I believe God is using you as a tool to humble me & draw me close to Him. I'm not ashamed to say that. PRAISE GOD! I'm a changed, better christian on account of God using you.

zone · Jul 11, 2013

Stephen63 said:

grow up and speak your mind.

you're slick.

but it's still sad.

zone · Jul 11, 2013

Stephen63 said:

Here we go again.

Who said I was a martyr? A hero?

I can speak for myself. When I want you to put words in my mouth, little girl, I'll let you know.

FYI, little girl, there's NOTHING written here about Pentecostals, except what you wrote, Which means you're trying to deceive the readers into missing the true message that was meant.

YOU are the the one who is painting me as a wannabe martyr & a hero. AGAIN, more deception.

WHAT'S ODD IS YOU COMING IN HERE TO DISRUPT THIS THREAD IN THE 1ST PLACE.

What's your angle?

Whose god do you serve?

Why are you even here? If you don't like the thread, go someplace else. Or, better yet, stay here & keep doing what you do so well, & prove the very point I'm trying to make. Either way I'm blessed.

All you're doing is proving how blessed I am. BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU, I am blessed of God. So keep right on blessing me. I believe God is using you as a tool to humble me & draw me close to Him. I'm not ashamed to say that. PRAISE GOD! I'm a changed, better christian on account of God using you.

oh i know....i'm Nebuchadnezzar or Pharaoh or satan himself.

you're daniel or Joseph...or somebody good

you haven't been persecuting me for standing for what i believe is sound doctrine in opposition to your stuff?
pffft...k.

h'obvious....

SarahM777 · Jul 11, 2013

Stephen63 said:

Here we go again.

Who said I was a martyr? A hero?

I can speak for myself. When I want you to put words in my mouth, little girl, I'll let you know.

FYI, little girl, there's NOTHING written here about Pentecostals, except what you wrote, Which means you're trying to deceive the readers into missing the true message that was meant.

YOU are the the one who is painting me as a wannabe martyr & a hero. AGAIN, more deception.

WHAT'S ODD IS YOU COMING IN HERE TO DISRUPT THIS THREAD IN THE 1ST PLACE.

What's your angle?

Whose god do you serve?

Why are you even here? If you don't like the thread, go someplace else. Or, better yet, stay here & keep doing what you do so well, & prove the very point I'm trying to make. Either way I'm blessed.

All you're doing is proving how blessed I am. BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU, I am blessed of God. So keep right on blessing me. I believe God is using you as a tool to humble me & draw me close to Him. I'm not ashamed to say that. PRAISE GOD! I'm a changed, better christian on account of God using you.

UMM Stephen,

Just a friendly suggestion,you might want to try not using insults. It never makes one look all that great either.

Stephen63 · Jul 11, 2013

SarahM777 said:

All I called her was a "little girl". The way she's acting..........

SarahM777 · Jul 11, 2013

Stephen63 said:

Still when does that give one an excuse to call a full grown woman a little girl? Just curious.

loveme1 · Jul 11, 2013

It sometimes feels like a playground here.

Stephen63 · Jul 11, 2013

zone said:

I did come after you at one time. I admit it. In retaliation to your attacks on others & myself I did. But I repented of my evil & even posted my apology on a thread in this forum. I confessed my sins biblically & openly for all to see. I recognized my sin as a result of this type of conflict. Now I'm exhorting others who are going through the same things. Isn't that what christians are supposed to do?

GreenNnice · Jul 11, 2013

zone said:

This is so 'you,' ohzone, sigh, so you, so sad, but, uh, yeah, so you, I see things from the Lord's way in my life, "in the Spirit," as He leads me, as He led John (to have a revelation), and, as still goes on today in us, by us, and, through us, but YOU have to see it. You know, ohzone, you can't see God working unless you have faith, this is true, as, you can be given so much by God but if you don't HAVE THE FAITH to see it as God at work in your life--doing His plans for you--then you will just not see God at work in your life

This is a profound thing to say to you, ohzone, but not accusatory in the least, as, YOU did just accuse the Pentecostal (wrongly) of being. So sad.

And, stephenspeaks, was just saying what was on his mind from Him, 'little girl.' You act like one, you will be treated like one

Sad, but true. IF you want to ATTACK someone's way of believing in the SAME CHRIST who died on the cross as you, the same "Jesus," who is the same today as yesterday as forevermore, the "visible image of the invisible God," so be it. You will be making yourself into a innocent 'little girl.'

If it walks like a duck, paddles like a duck...... it's a

zone · Jul 11, 2013

Stephen63 said:

stephen. i read your apology thread.
go back and read it again.
maybe you'll see something there i saw when i read it.

then you posted THIS thread, with the little resentment you are nurturing embedded in it.
do you think i am stupid?

.........

there is conflict over DOCTRINE.
serious errors.

i'm sorry if you're offended by that.
you take it personally...sorry about that.
i can't help that.
i wish you didn't.

there is no unity in ERROR.

Stephen63 · Jul 11, 2013

Due to an email from a true friend, I realize I was wrong about calling zone a little girl. I apologize. Forgive me, zone.

I'm not perfect yet

BLESSED ARE THE PERSECUTED

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