(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."
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.”
(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"
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.”
