Suffering for the Lord

Is your life purpose-driven for Him? For we all must bear our own cross till the very end. Evil will go from bad to worse, but that should make us fight even harder, for a multitude of lives are at stake. It's up to us to make a positive difference against all odds.

August's Message, Day 2:

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:10-13 NIV

This sounds quite dismal, but Paul is just being factual, and the facts haven't changed for us in this present time, nor will it change till the very end, for that is how God has decreed it. "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," and, "evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." As believers, at least we can glean some sense of peace knowing that we will all bear our own cross for Him in some way. That is part of our journey. We must also realize that evil will not go away, and despite all efforts, will increase. That is why Christ comes for us at the rapture to take us home before the Tribulation judgments upon the earth. Also note that first statement about Paul's character. We are not here to just give up, but to fight the good fight to the very end, bringing as many people as we can to faith in Christ Jesus. That is the whole point, for God does not want anyone to perish. It is our voice and actions that they must hear and see, for time is short and the end may be very near. Bear your cross well and bear it with honor.