Have you ever been persecuted? - Page 4

NotforSale · #31 01-20-2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dordrecht

My gut feeling is that if we get REAL persecution in North America,
we'll see a lot of empty churches and back sliders.

The Bible calls us, "Sheep". When sheep are afraid, they run and are not known for fighting.

Don't you think that people are no different when they are threatened? We would like to think of ourselves as strong and courageous, but in reality people can run from the persecution that others boast about facing.

Jesus went to the 1 lost sheep who sought refuge away from the 99, and I think sometimes we might be too critical of those who become afraid when they are helpless and abused by other Human Beings, calling them weak or cowards. I remember being abused by my drunken father, running from him and finding a place to hide.

In life, I think people, whether they are adults or children, they respond to persecution in different ways and most of their reaction to this stress is the result of how they were raised.

No offense, but if someone wanted to rip my toenails out in the name of my Faith, I might not turn the other cheek! And, I don’t think any of us truly know what we would do if someone decided to torture this flesh that feels pain.

BeenThinkin · #32 01-20-2012, 05:40 PM

Only by "Old Age!"

My Get-Up-And-Go Has Got Up and Went

Old age is golden, or so I’ve heard it said,
But sometimes I wonder, as I crawl into bed,
With my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup,
My eyes on the table until I wake up.
As sleep dims my vision, I say to myself:
Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf?
But, though nations are warring, and Congress is vexed,
I’ll still stick around to see what happens next!

How do I know my youth is all spent?
My get-up-and-go has got up and went!
But, in spite of it all, I’m able to grin
When I think of the places my getup has been!

When I was young, my slippers were red;
I could kick up my heels right over my head.
When I was older my slippers were blue,
But still I could dance the whole night through.
Now I am older, my slippers are black.
I huff to the store and puff my way back.
But never you laugh; I don’t mind at all:
I’d rather be huffing than not puff at all!

How do I know my youth is all spent?
My get-up-and-go has got up and went!
But, in spite of it all, I’m able to grin
When I think of the places my getup has been!
I get up each morning and dust off my wits,
Open the paper, and read the Obits.
If I’m not there, I know I’m not dead,
So I eat a good breakfast and go back to bed!

How do I know my youth is all spent?
My get-up-and-go has got up and went!
But, in spite of it all, I’m able to grin
When I think of the places my getup has been!

Titus2woman · #33 01-20-2012, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houston

Well, we may just have to do house church afterall.

I would not be advertising as I am a pacifist, but ya'll will be fine, locked n loaded.

We believe that pacifism is the best example of a Christian. I also know that I would have have terrible regrets at not defending and protecting innocents (children, the elderly) and have prepared for such. I have a gun and know how to shoot it. I pray I will never need that knowledge. God will decide if I do or not.

Titus2woman · #34 01-20-2012, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dordrecht

My gut feeling is that if we get REAL persecution in North America,
we'll see a lot of empty churches and back sliders.

I don't believe this at all. I do not think that the martyrs were really any different than us. God provided the supernatural ability to withstand the pain and death they suffered. No one, save Christ Jesus, will face death alone. He has already done that for us.

bbyrd009 · #35 01-20-2012, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

I don't believe this at all. I do not think that the martyrs were really any different than us. God provided the supernatural ability to withstand the pain and death they suffered. No one, save Christ Jesus, will face death alone. He has already done that for us.

As much as I'd like to think this, Christians are dying for their religion every day. Today really is the last day of the rest of your life.

Titus2woman · #36 01-20-2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

As much as I'd like to think this, Christians are dying for their religion every day. Today really is the last day of the rest of your life.

I didn't say we wouldn't die. I said that we would be given strength to face what we must and that we would not die ALONE read without God.

bbyrd009 · #37 01-20-2012, 08:33 PM

Amen to that.

NotforSale · #38 01-21-2012, 02:54 PM

What a man said when he was persecuted and in deep trial:

After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.

And Job spake, and said, Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived. Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it. Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months. Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein. Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning. Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day: Because it shut not up the doors of my mother's womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes. Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?

For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

I'm not so sure that Job was singing the victory or rejoicing when he was afflicted and persecuted by his wife and friends.

live4him · #39 01-21-2012, 03:42 PM

Ii think I would call this persecution when people of the same faith make fun of your daughter for not beleiving in televsion..or other people making fun of ur daughters for having long hair.. its ok we live for Christ but to be persecuted is gonna happen, well we just move on and shake it off..

bbyrd009 · #40 01-21-2012, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by live4him

Ii think I would call this persecution when people of the same faith make fun of your daughter for not beleiving in televsion..or other people making fun of ur daughters for having long hair.. its ok we live for Christ but to be persecuted is gonna happen, well we just move on and shake it off..

yes, but when this persecution is no longer attributed to "church," which I see a revolution in at the moment, the Church will see a big...latter rain.