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Friday, November 27, 2015

I signed up to Die.....This place is not my home


(updated blog from 2013)
Thi'sl a Christian artist wrote these words in his song I signed up to die: "I signed up to die. Death don't have a hold on me, So death don't put no fear in me. I don't think that you hearin' me I signed up to die. When I lay down on that bed I'm gon' open up my eyes and my Lord gon' be there. I signed up to die" 

This song challenges me every time I hear it.  I was blessed with the opportunity to speak at one of our 6pm services this month. The scripture I was asked to speak on was John 12:25 New King James Version "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

I believe it is important to read scripture in context and understand what was going on in the culture at that time. To be a follower of Christ meant persecution, suffering, and often death.  The promise for their salvation was literally them losing their life. When Jesus asked His disciples were they willing to forsake all and follow Him, it REALLY meant forsake ALL and follow Him. When many converted to "The Way" it meant their families disowning them and many of them losing their natural inheritance.  

Today many turn to Christ because they feel it will make their lives better. For many, their faith in Christ is about gaining more than losing or letting go of anything or anyone.  I was thinking about this and I thought "Lord what did I sign up for? Why do I call you my Lord and Savior? Am I in this so you can do "great" things for me? Lord will I only stand for you and speak truth when everyone around me agrees with me?". I had to ask myself some hard questions. I came to a very hard conclusion too. I have some more surrendering and "hating" life in this world to do!!!

This reality shakes me because I also know the time is now to surrender ALL. The Lord is beginning to separate the "wheat" from the "tare" ( Matthew 3:12). It will be evident who stands for Jesus and his ways and who stands for worldliness. It will also be evident who is lukewarm. ( Revelation 3:15-19). Right now many are comfortable with serving Jesus because our "needs" are being supplied and no one is "head hunting" us, however we must discern the time and season we are in. We must discern what time and season we are entering into. There are parts of the world where the church is being persecuted but America has not seen this level of persecution yet (www.persecution.com).

Times of real trials, tribulations and persecution are coming to America. Times are approaching when the world will kill us for what we believe. Our businesses will be shut down for what we believe. Pastors will be arrested and charged for preaching against cultural norms. We will be placed in jail and be on trial for the things we believe. Who will stand during this time or who will back down? Who will go to jail for standing against the world's agenda? Who will look in the face of real opposition and STAND for HOLINESS AND TRUTH?

Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing some of your closest friends? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienation from your family? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means loss of your reputation? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job? Are you willing to follow Jesus if means going to the nations even in the midst of terrorism attacks? Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing life? Are you willing to rejoice because you know these things must come to past? Time will tell why we all signed up to be a follower of Christ Jesus.

Matthew 10:17-22 ”Behold I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speaks, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”