Greetings sisters!
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
2 Timothy 3:12
Well sister's I thought that today I might share on preparing our hearts and minds for this life we live in Christ. This thought came to me about how we can indeed be preparing our minds for what we know is a part of our lives as believers even if we live peaceful and quiet lives as godly women. We knew when we started to follow after Christ that there will be a great cost involved. Indeed we had to and daily have to crucify our wills and go in a different direction. So what I wanted to share on was how even if we live a peaceful and sheltered life we can be preparing our minds for what we know may be and is to be a part of our life because of our faith.
Oh I know there are all kinds of people out there who say to 'think positively' and all that foolish psychological stuff that is around and many get swept up in. And of course we take into mind what Jesus said about not worrying about tomorrow (Well that was in regard to food and raiment needs and provisions). So we don't worry about it because we know it is an honour to suffer for our Lord but we know from many many scriptures we are to be prepared and preparing not only for eternity, bringing our lives into line with God's ways daily, being prepared to give an answer of the hope we have, and many other things.
What I wanted to share today for us sisters is how even if we are going about our daily lives as helpers or servants, keepers of the home, we should know what we can expect so we are not taken unawares. No I am not saying to dwell on 'bad' or hard times that could come but just know to expect them and be prepared.
And so this doesn't happen in thinking it unusual...
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye ; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified."
1 Peter 4:12-14
Indeed we read scriptures that tell us to do just that; to know we are going to be persecuted and face hardship for Jesus Christs' sake and His way and truth. No we obviously can't know exactly what we may have to face but we see in scripture that there is a spiritual battle we have to face and then a battle with any physical challenges and all that. But we know we can overcome all things through Christ if we are willing to lose our own life. We are commanded to rejoice in them!
We know some go back when trials come. That is sad because they shall not reap the rewards of being faithful until the end and indeed as it says it is better that they didn't even know the way of truth (2 Peter 2:19-22). The fact is that many women are turning back because they don't want to be fully obedient in biblical dress and headcovering so are prideful and vain. That is just one 'little' thing they stumble at (not that any command of God is small).
So I guess what I am saying is that we sisters can prepare and be strengthening ourselves in the Word and also learn from other sisters going through trials. The great thing about the body of Christ is that we can all learn from one another and share together.
"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."
1 Thessalonians 5:11
And yes the Lord can protect us and give us a life of much peace but we certainly know that if we live godly as that verse says we will suffer persecution and trials because of it. We are living such a different life to those around us so we are not going to fit in anywhere...well we shouldn't. And that's for the right reasons of living for God and not just not fitting in because we can't get along with others or we are 'strange'. We certainly are to have great love for those around us but we love God first and so we often become enemies just because we love them and want them to come to the knowledge of the truth and have the same hope we do.
"Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets."
Luke 6:26
So we know we will not be popular. We shouldn't be.
And of course as we read the scriptures daily we come across many areas that speak of the truths of this life in Christ and the hardness of it.
"That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know."
1 Thessalonians 3:3-4
But I know there isn't anything like personal experience so if we are prepared we can learn much and grow through trials. Within them we can learn to have the peace that Christ gives. And it's strengthening to know others have walked ahead of us and we can read about some in scripture.
But the greatest joy is to look forward to that blessed hope that lies ahead if we endure faithful, sisters!
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
Titus 2:13-14
Our enemies of the flesh, sin, the world, and the wicked one are very great but we can know that the Lord is faithful to bring us through and give us power to overcome. We have no hope if we can't get through all trials.
"Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now."
Galatians 4:28-29
And yes it is sad to see many turning back or stopping short but we can't look at them because we know God is able to bring us through all things. Sometimes when we have peace and then see others turning back when they come upon some trial and suffering we begin to wonder if we will do that too. So there is nothing like going through a trial ourselves and to know that we can get through in Christ's strength. But ultimately it comes down to our faith in God and trusting Him and His promises.
And also I know it truly is about having our mind set on things above and not on the things of this world sisters. Some women might get caught up in keeping a nice house and having it all spotless and clean of which if she is able to do that without neglecting other important duties and without obsessing is good but it's not what we live for. And there are many things that women can get caught up in like their looks and what people think of them, marriage status, discontentment in their roles and work; all those things and more we must give over to our Lord and focus on things above.
For an example of peace I got to sit outside surrounded by it in God's creation and work on this post for awhile. (I worked on it off and on throughout the day so that's propably why it's sometimes repetitive or whatever.)
Out here I was able to take this sunset picture...
...add the verse and post it on here in peace, watching and listening and smelling the fresh smells of the cool evening air.
And this little bird came to check me out...
And I'm blessed to have a peaceful refuge in my bedroom and sewing room too.
But even in relative peace we all have to go through seperation because of our faith. I'm sure there are not many sisters totally alone in a desert somewhere or in a forest cut off from all connection with others, family for example so we all experience some kind of rejection for truth's sake.
We sisters know Jesus came to divide His people out (Matthew 10) so this means seperation from others. We know we are to come out of the world and it's sin but also have seperation from people claiming to be of Christ who are yet living in sin. We don't seperate because we think we are better, no, because we love God and obey His Word.
The believers are to be judged and held to a much higher standard than the world. How precious is the true body of Christ striving to be holy and worthy of Him yet it is so far from the truth and holiness what is happening today in so called Christian religious places that it's bringing much shame on our Lord. So what I am saying is even if some of us sisters live in peace in the country etc there is still the gap of seperation and the rejection of us and the truth we cling to. Of course as well being thought strange for dressing in a biblical manner and headcovering. That may be a very obvious thing that people see about us and so we may be stared at or ridiculed because of it. But it also may become an opportunity to share truth so that is a good outcome but of course we do it to be obedient.
And with the technology we have today the persecution could come into our lives without us even setting foot out into the world as of course people have ways to communicate via email or messages etc and words can hurt.
And as a sister who is more on the forefront of the battle as the wife of a street preacher says there is no respect of persons. If someone hates the truth they will hate it no matter who stands for it, man or woman. Even if you are a quiet covered godly woman doesn't mean you will be spared.
As it was back then, so it is today...
So I guess I have gone on long enough here but I am trying to share about how even in peaceful times or lives that we women may have we know to expect trials and persecutions for our faith. We can know they will come in some form and prepare to face them.
Ultimately....
"Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me."
John 15:20-21
Amen and we do know the world is getting darker and darker as we get closer to the end and the Lord's return.
And we do have those battles with our own flesh to overcome too and so we just fight on day by day, rejoice in the hope we have in Christ and be preparing and studying in the Word for what we know we could face. Life could change in an instant as we never know these things but if we are firmly rooted and prepared even though terrible things may come they won't seem as strange as if we are not prepared and thinking we shall escape it all.
And if you are blessed with peace maybe there is an opportunity to reach out to others who may be facing more trials, with love and care and help bear their burdens.
"That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it."
1 Corinthians 12:25-26
Alright sisters I shall leave you for now. I hope this could bless and edify you. Lord willing I shall be back here tomorrow. I hope you have a peaceful day in Christ wherever the Lord has you shining on this earth.
To God be the glory!
"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."
2 Corinthians 13:11
Love in Christ,
...from one of God's daughters
See the biblical gospel here.