What does that say about "I"?
We get too consumed with ourselves sometimes, and we forget to think about others around us or about God's will for our lives instead of our will for our lives.
I was talking to Robbie and Amy this past week and in our conversations, I realized that sometimes we get so consumed with where we are going that we don't look at where we are at. God may have us right where He wants us and we are too busy looking at the "future".
My pastor spoke this past Sunday on "The Spirit of Martyrdom". In Acts 1:8, it says "we will be his witnesses". Martus or Martur is the Greek word which is translated into the English word Martyr, which means one who bears "witness" by his death.
God is looking for a people who will live as a martyr...live as a witness for Him.
In Matthew 5:10 it says Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Do we not want the kingdom of heaven? Then are we being persecuted because of our right standing with God? It doesn't feel good to not be liked, to be called names, and be laughed at. It doesn't feel good to not "fit in" with the neighbors, or to not be asked out after work for dinner and drinks. It hurts a little. We want people to like us.
You see, I am tired of "fitting in", comforming to the world, being liked by phonies who fill church pews on Sunday mornings and live a life of worldliness during the week. I want to "stand out", be different, be called "Holy Roller", not get asked out to dinner. It is okay. It's not about ME anymore. It's about HIM and HIS KINGDOM. I want to inherit His Kingdom. I want to be an heir of His Kingdom. So, persecute me for His name's sake.
You see, I am tired of "fitting in", comforming to the world, being liked by phonies who fill church pews on Sunday mornings and live a life of worldliness during the week. I want to "stand out", be different, be called "Holy Roller", not get asked out to dinner. It is okay. It's not about ME anymore. It's about HIM and HIS KINGDOM. I want to inherit His Kingdom. I want to be an heir of His Kingdom. So, persecute me for His name's sake.
Three quick points from Sunday's message by Pastor Scott Volk:
1. The Spirit of Martyrdom is the foundational principle of who we are.
2. The Spirit of Martyrdom is not measured by how we die but by how we live
3. Not loving your life is the key to fullfilling your destiny. Stop focusing on right now and yourself. Think about the future with God, think about what Spiritual gifts you are leaving your children and your children's children and the generations to come.
In Numbers 14 we read about Moses and Aaron and the Israelites and how they were passing through one land that was full of milk and honey and why didn't God take them there. The congregation began to get angry and wanted to stone Moses. I can hear them now, "Let's just do away with Him and then we can go get what we want. We can go back to the land that had what we wanted."
But read on...what happened....
10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites.
Moses heard from God, followed His direction, and in the end when everyone came up against him and wanted to stone him, THE GLORY OF THE LORD APPEARED and Moses didn't have to worry.
Let's not worry about "what if" we get persecuted. Let's not worry about if it gets to that point. We are to live with the mentality of giving our life for God and to God. He will protect us.
I want to see you go after God with openness, with all that you have, without any faking, without being distracted by the influences of the world around you, but with true, open, honest seeking to find what it is that God has for you right now where you are at, and to put yourself aside and start working for the Kingdom, not fearing what may come if you give it your all, but trusting that He is there.
Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
setting myself aside,
Jennifer
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