FollowingJesusUS.com

Fiery Trials!

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;” – 1 Peter:12

This is a really important verse. So often, as Christians, we think that because we are believers, God will Save us from our trials. But this is NOT so!

Remember what Jesus said:

“A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” – John 15:20

And remember this verse:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” – John 15: 18-19

We are in Good company. Great company! 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

Peter: “And above all things have Fervent Charity”

In Peter 4:8, Peter the Apostle, writes a letter to other Christians to tell them how to live in times when Christians are persecuted. Sadly, a time is coming when Christians will be greatly persecuted.

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” -1 Peter 4:8

Have you ever lived among those you love in a tight-knit circle in a small house? No matter how much we love one another; we can get on each other’s last nerve, lol. And because we love one another so, we often share our inner most thoughts, including our sins. Or sometimes, we just-get caught.

And that is why Peter’s verse is so very important. The definition of charity is: “kindness and tolerance in judging others.”. Or historically, “loving” others.

The first has often been confused. Refraining from judging others does NOT mean refraining sharing with them God’s Truth. It does NOT mean failing to share with them if their behavior if sinful. It DOES mean loving them anyway! It DOES mean forgiving them as Jesus forgives us :).

No matter how great the challenges we face,

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” -1 Peter 4:8

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

Always Welcome One Another :)

“Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”- 1 Peter 4:9

In times of great persecution, some Christians may lose much! Some may even lose their home! Many of these items will be practical items such as food, clothing, shoes, blankets, bandages…Some Christians may even lose people they love such as parents, sisters and brothers, friends…

Peter tells us that we should not hesitate to welcome them to our home! And our “welcome” should truly be warm and without hesitation. For those are our brothers and sisters in Christ. There may be less food, clothing…but there will be more love. And God will be well pleased 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

People Will Know That We Follow Jesus If We Love One Another!

” By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” – John 13:35

Jesus said this to His apostles: “if ye have love one to another”, others will know that you Follow Me 🙂

And do they? There are so many acts of kindness we can do. Listening, smiling, carry grocery bags, sharing our food and water, allowing others in the parking lot to pull out in front of us, sharing our blankets and clothes… The list is endless!

We can hug each other, help each other, walk with each other, share God’s Truth with one another… Just as Jesus does with us 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready 🙂

Why We Need To Warn Others!

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” – Isaiah 58:1

If we truly love one another as God has commanded, then we must also tell one another the truth. Which means telling people when they sin.

There are those who will say this is not kind. But is it kind to watch someone we love go to Hell, when we could have told them the truth and watched them go to Heaven:)

One reason Jesus came was so that we might have forgiveness. But forgiveness requires repentance. We can’t repent if we don’t even know our sins!

So if we truly love others, we need to warn them just as God’s Word warns us.

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

“Peter’s Letter to Christians In 1 Peter 4 Is About How To Live In The World While Suffering For Faith In Christ. “

Notice, this does not say we should be reluctant to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in case we suffer for it. As more and more people suffer for their faith in Jesus, as more Christians are persecuted, it will become even more important to share the Good News.

Why? In part, because there will not be any Good News to be had. But most importantly, because every person that we reach with the Good News of Jesus Christ will have the ability to go to Heaven if they choose to accept Jesus as their Savior.

Can you imagine is such a time of darkness, how it will help another to be able to look forward to Heaven :). How it will help another to be loved and give love 🙂

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

Suffering Matters

A good friend sent this 🙂

“God’s Word shares with you “That having been justified by faith, you have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also you have access by faith into His Grace in which you stand, and rejoice in Hope of the Glory of God. Not only that, but you also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, Hope. Now Hope does not disappoint, because the Love of God has been poured out into your heart by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”(Romans 5:1-5). So what does that all mean? IS it possible that suffering matters? Does suffering have a purpose? YES! Whether it’s suffering in relationships, in health, in your profession, or in your spiritual walk, it ALL has a purpose! It’s shaping who you are and who you become!

Your Heavenly Father continually offers His Courage and Strength to you, not just some of the time, ALL the time! Also, He shares with you to give Him your pain and doubt, that He knows what it is like to have these burdens. Do you remember that His Only Son, Jesus Christ suffered, died and was Resurrected, just for you personally? If you thought some of these moments on earth involve suffering, imagine the eternal suffering He saved you from by your choice to accept Him. BELIEVE that this suffering forever has NO comparison! What an Awesome God you have, that paid for your sins in Full, offering to you His Salvation from this eternal pain! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!

No doubt these “shaping” moments hurt, but you may also know His Joy, Peace, Rest and Healing Touch offered by your Heavenly Father’s Love for you!! May you hold your head high and look around when you’re feeling weighed down, because what comes next IS SO worth it! God has carefully chosen you personally for His Will and Purpose. Accept His Task for you, do not hesitate! Truly, His Extended Hands through you, shall impact many for His Good, Forever and Ever! In Jesus’ Name. Thy Will be done. Amen. Peace.”

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

How Do We Live In Times Of Great Persecution?

Early Christians lived in times of great Christian persecution. And sadly, one day we will too.

It wasn’t just that early Christians could be put to death, it was that they could be forced to suffer every day. Have you ever heard the saying, “death by a 1,000 paper cuts”? That is exactly what it was like for many. No food, no housing, no water. Everything that they own was taken from them time and again…Those that they loved were threatened, they were cold, hungry, thirsty and tired… Their freedom was sometimes taken and often threatened simply for sharing God’s Truth! And the freedom of those they loved was sometimes taken as well.

We, as Christians, will also one day face great persecution. Some Christians already are! What can we do? What should we do when evil “appears to prevail”?

Share The Gospel. Share that our Hope is in Jesus. Pray. Answer God’s Call. Share that we are not home yet, Heaven will be our permanent Home!

Hug each other. Share all that we have, whether is is food and housing or medical care and other practical assistance. Or as Peter said, make sure that we love others unconditionally as God Loves us 🙂

John shared a verse that is truly wise:

“If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” – 1 John 4:20.

We need to love one another as God loves each of us!

Our time is coming…

Prepare, Pray & Be Ready!

War Is Coming!

No matter how much we fear it, no matter how much we dread it, war is coming. The only question is how will we behave?

Will we love one another? Will we love our enemies? Will we reach out in kindness? Will we share whatever we have? Will we love as God has called us to love?

Will our family, friends, strangers and enemies know us by our love?

Will God?

Prepare, Pray and Be Ready!