The I'm hungry, thirsty, in rags, brutally treated and homeless gospel. For today?

[1still_waters]

Paul claims he went hungry, went thirsty, was clothed in rags, was brutally treated and was even homeless.

Wonder if that version of the Gospel would fly today?

Just a thought.


1 Corinthians 4

11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

 

[Shield]

What version do you think is spreading in India and the Middle East.

 

[grace]

Paul claims he went hungry, went thirsty, was clothed in rags, was brutally treated and was even homeless.

Wonder if that version of the Gospel would fly today?

Just a thought.


1 Corinthians 4

11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

The home my husband and I lived in the last 2.5 years of our marriage was owned by his parents. (against my better judgement...but it is a long story that I do not need to go into for the sake of this thread.)

On Memorial day of 2007, I found myself in the sad position of having to call the police due to a domestic violence situation for me and my children. Upon showing up, the police made my husband pack up some things and leave the home.
Three days later there was a knock at my door from a sherrifs officer presenting me with a summons to appear in court...I was being legally evicted.

The court date was set for two about two weeks from then, and I thought for certain once the magistrate heard the circumstances of what happened that he could clearly see that I was being retaliated against and they could not make me and my children leave that home until we had someplace else to go.
I was wrong. Not only did they find in favor of my father-in-law, but they made the thirty day eviction notice retroactive, so that I was only left with less than two weeks to find someplace to live, find the money to get utilities hooked up, pay first months rent etc. I was a stay at home mother....was not likely going to pull this off without some serious help.

The church I was attending at the time knew fully what I had been facing. They knew about the court date, they knew the results of that court date. I was offered no help. I asked for help.

The results, my children and I ended up homeless.
I packed up whatever clothes I could. Blankets, photos, and few bags of non perishable groceries and we lived out of our car for 9 days.

And just to drive this point home a bit more.....my former father-in-law/mother-in-law wear the banner of christian quite loudy and proudly. :/

So yes, I can tell you from personal experience that this sort of thing does fly today. It is recognized, acknowledged and looked over and allowed to continue.

Knowing you, this is not the type of answer you wanted for this thread. But I guess until you walk in someone elses shoes, you never fully know what they have endured in their life and don't know why they feel more passionatly about some things than they do about others.

 

[zeroturbulence]

The home my husband and I lived in the last 2.5 years of our marriage was owned by his parents. (against my better judgement...but it is a long story that I do not need to go into for the sake of this thread.)

On Memorial day of 2007, I found myself in the sad position of having to call the police due to a domestic violence situation for me and my children. Upon showing up, the police made my husband pack up some things and leave the home.
Three days later there was a knock at my door from a sherrifs officer presenting me with a summons to appear in court...I was being legally evicted.

The court date was set for two about two weeks from then, and I thought for certain once the magistrate heard the circumstances of what happened that he could clearly see that I was being retaliated against and they could not make me and my children leave that home until we had someplace else to go.
I was wrong. Not only did they find in favor of my father-in-law, but they made the thirty day eviction notice retroactive, so that I was only left with less than two weeks to find someplace to live, find the money to get utilities hooked up, pay first months rent etc. I was a stay at home mother....was not likely going to pull this off without some serious help.

The church I was attending at the time knew fully what I had been facing. They knew about the court date, they knew the results of that court date. I was offered no help. I asked for help.

The results, my children and I ended up homeless.
I packed up whatever clothes I could. Blankets, photos, and few bags of non perishable groceries and we lived out of our car for 9 days.

And just to drive this point home a bit more.....my former father-in-law/mother-in-law wear the banner of christian quite loudy and proudly. :/

So yes, I can tell you from personal experience that this sort of thing does fly today. It is recognized, acknowledged and looked over and allowed to continue.

Knowing you, this is not the type of answer you wanted for this thread. But I guess until you walk in someone elses shoes, you never fully know what they have endured in their life and don't know why they feel more passionatly about some things than they do about others.

Wow Grace! I really am so sorry you had to go through that. I had friends when I was younger who lived in their cars but that was their choice. I can't imagine someone being forced to do it with 2 kids. I'm glad you and your kids are now safe. I know the Lord will bring you justice if he hasn't already because he promises justice to those who are faithful.

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18)

I also hope that you were able to forgive. Not for their sake but for yours and your kids. God bless you, Grace.

gabe

 

[grace]

Wow Grace! I really am so sorry you had to go through that. I had friends when I was younger who lived in their cars but that was their choice. I can't imagine someone being forced to do it with 2 kids. I'm glad you and your kids are now safe. I know the Lord will bring you justice if he hasn't already because he promises justice to those who are faithful.

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18)

I also hope that you were able to forgive. Not for their sake but for yours and your kids. God bless you, Grace.

gabe

Three kids. (not that it matters, its unjust no matter who it happens to or whether there are children involved or not. The church should rise up and be the church.)

 

[Timofree]

Three kids. (not that it matters, its unjust no matter who it happens to or whether there are children involved or not. The church should rise up and be the church.)

Shocked, I was waiting for the 'but the church had a special collection' part of your story, I just can't imagine a church not helping.
We try and get together and help practically or with money as a church, whenever the needs there. You would think it would be their good pleasure to store up treasure in heaven AND help a fellow Chrsitian family.......

Jeremiah 5: 27-29
Like cages full of birds,
their houses are full of deceit;
they have become rich and powerful
28 and have grown fat and sleek.
Their evil deeds have no limit;
they do not seek justice.
They do not promote the case of the fatherless;
they do not defend the just cause of the poor.
29 Should I not punish them for this?”
declares the LORD.
“Should I not avenge myself
on such a nation as this?

 

[1still_waters]

I see this verse and try contrasting it with what we see in western civilization and our expectations and actions towards Christianity.

The context of this verse is about how the apostles faced extreme hardship doing God's work. Yet when I contrast this verse with the expectations and actions I see from so many today, there is such a difference it's discouraging.

Paul selflessly gave of himself to promote Jesus and he expected to live in rags, go homeless, go without food and the like.

Yet today so many selfishly promote themselves by any means necessary, teaching and expecting to live in luxury, as if it IS the will of God for all.

Paul seemed Jesus centered at any expense. So much now days seems self-centered and self-promoting at any expense.

It seems instead of expecting to give our all for Jesus, we're expecting Jesus to give us even MORE stuff, if we will but know some Bible verses and say the right things in our cushy Christian atmosphere.

This stuff is so easy for me to write, sitting here in the comfort of my own home, with the heat on, lights on, sitting in my cushy chair. I'm sure right now my devotion level mirrors the pre-resurrection Peter instead of the post-resurrection Peter.

Still, this set of verses really stood out to me and I had to get it off my chest!

Guess it was a reminder to me to flee from shameless self-promotion by any means possible with self-centered expectations and instead to mirror the attitude I see in Paul.

####End of lofty spiritual post######

##PS..For now#####

 

[1still_waters]

Speaking of going to any means to promote oneself, this scripture came to mind.

Philippians 1
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Selfish ambition! So it was even happening way back yonder!

People taking something as precious and powerful and even tragic like Jesus and using it to draw attention to themselves for their own selfish ambition.

Such a reminder of the weed of pride and self exaltation that resides in humans. Twisted people twist anything to say, LOOK AT ME instead of look at Jesus.

Oh for more hearts that cried like John the Baptist. "I must decrease, so he can increase."

or should that be.... i must decrease so HE can increase....

 

[1still_waters]

Whether in rags or robes, it's ultimately all about HIM.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq62ggQKYJY[/video]

 

[Jullianna]

This was my hesitation in becoming a worship leader when asked. Worship has always been an extremely intimate thing for me.... I felt that others would be intruding and I didn't like it at all if I'm being honest. But, when He calls us, we must obey, and dedicate ourselves to becoming even closer to Him to prevent it from becoming about us. It can happen sooooooo easily....

 

[1still_waters]

This was my hesitation in becoming a worship leader when asked. Worship has always been an extremely intimate thing for me.... I felt that others would be intruding and I didn't like it at all if I'm being honest. But, when He calls us, we must obey, and dedicate ourselves to becoming even closer to Him to prevent it from becoming about us. It can happen sooooooo easily....

Totally know what you mean. Must keep a watchful eye on one's motivations.

 

[Jullianna]

I don’t know whether I could be as strong as Paul or not. I suppose none of us does. But I DO know that if He calls us for a purpose, He certainly prepares us and equips us to do it, in HIS strength, not our own. As we look back at our lives, how many times did we think we wouldn’t or couldn’t make it through? But we did...with Him
I kid around a lot about shopping and loving my shoes, but the truth of it is that the older we get, the more we realize that the more STUFF we have, the more time we tend to spend taking care of it. It’s distracting. I don’t like that. Downsizing sounds better all the time.

We’ve all probably gone through our lean times. Being a young married person (or single person on your own), trying to finish college, work full-time and raising a small child all at the same time can bring about some very lean times. But I think that somehow these are better times because they teach us to lean on the Lord. They prepare us to face much harder things... And they are humbling times. Maybe THAT’s why the apostles are called to such, you know? Tough times draw us closer to HIM, don’t they?
As Luke 12:48 indicates, when we are given much, much is expected of us. That’s a very loaded verse, huh? If we are given much, how are we using what we are given? And if we are entrusted with offices/gifts of the Kingdom, what sacrifices will we be called to make?

 

[1still_waters]

Another one. This really hits home at the motivations of people for following Christ or doing things just for self. Paul says people's god becomes their 'stomach'. They literally follow merely human appetites and desires. All originating in the part of us that is never fully filled. THE STOMACH

Philippians 3

18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

 

[DanuckInUSA]

I lived this way for many years until I met my wife and kids and then I had the responsibility of a spiritual head to provide and nurture my family.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Three kids. (not that it matters, its unjust no matter who it happens to or whether there are children involved or not. The church should rise up and be the church.)

Sorry Grace, I can't count. I totally agree and am appalled that a church would not offer to help someone in your situation. That is not what Jesus would want them to do. I hope whatever church you are part of now not only helps but reaches out to the needy like a true church of God should.

 

[1still_waters]

I lived this way for many years until I met my wife and kids and then I had the responsibility of a spiritual head to provide and nurture my family.

That sounds seriously tough to do. Was it overseas missions? How did you cope with it?

 

[1still_waters]

I lived this way for many years until I met my wife and kids and then I had the responsibility of a spiritual head to provide and nurture my family.

Another question, which is tougher? The wife and kids or the full time ministry thing you were doing before?

 

[NukePooch]

Shocked, I was waiting for the 'but the church had a special collection' part of your story, I just can't imagine a church not helping.
We try and get together and help practically or with money as a church, whenever the needs there. You would think it would be their good pleasure to store up treasure in heaven AND help a fellow Chrsitian family.......

Sorry Grace, I can't count. I totally agree and am appalled that a church would not offer to help someone in your situation. That is not what Jesus would want them to do. I hope whatever church you are part of now not only helps but reaches out to the needy like a true church of God should.

Unfortunately, all too often I've heard of churches that will give to overseas missions like it's going out of style, but not one penny to anything or anyone local. I even knew of a church that shut down its food pantry for the poor due to lack of funds, then bought a new church organ.

Mark 6:4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”

"Blessed are the poor in spirit
Or do we pray to be blessed with the wealth of this land
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness
Or do we ache for another taste of this world of shifting sand
...
Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my church
The blood and dirt on His feet would stain the carpet
...
Not a posterchild for American prosperity, but like my Jesus
You see I'm tired of living for success and popularity"
"My Jesus" -Todd Agnew

 

[1still_waters]

I love this one too. Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfr5rOfimnU[/video]

 

[thimsrebma]

Paul and the other Apostles lived a pretty migratory life. They were spreading the Gospel on foot. i think it happens today bt one must truely be called I have to do so. All of us could not do that.

Grace - I went to a church with a young woman who had 3 children and was lving in a homeless shelter. The church never helped her. They did not try to help find housing or anything. There was also an incident where someone ( a person in leadership) told her that her clothes were inappropriate. How in the world do you tell a homeless person you do not like her clothing?

So yay I do think that we are to take care of our Brothers and Sisters that are indeed in need of help. But there are those people who choose the impoversished lifestyle for the sake of spreading the Gospel.