ISIS Alert! By Sarah Earlene Shere We are at war! But this time the threat is not coming from militant forces or even groups of radicals. It is coming from individuals who have given their lives over to the power and will of Satan; these are our neighbors, co workers, strangers, even, potentially, those who have been our family and friends. Their target is not the government or one religious group; their target is anyone they do not deem to be Muslim or a “true Muslim”. So now it’s here, the true persecution of Christians has come to America. The snubbing and laughter that has been the American Christian’s greatest fear is no longer to even be considered as a threat. Now is the time when we shall see who the true followers of Christ really are. It’s time to count the cost now (Luke 14: 25-35), if you have not done so, earlier. I must admit, even with all my Godly passion for the Lover of my soul, I became very frightened at this new danger known as ISIS. Persecution and murder suddenly felt like it was standing just outside my door, waiting for me to come out, or ready to enter by force, if necessary. Yes, a slow, torturous, painful death frightens me; perhaps because it offers with it the chance to doubt all the things I have ever believed to be true. Still, as Peter said to our Lord, when given the chance to turn away and run, “Where else shall we go? You alone have the words of life.” (John 6: 68) Jesus, You alone have the words of life! Of every option for religious belief that I have ever seen (and there are many), even the option to believe in nothing at all (or, worse yet, trusting in yourself, alone), I have yet to find another religion that offers anything to compare with Christ’s promise of freedom from sin and its guilt (Romans 8: 1) and an eternal life spent with Him in Paradise (Revelation 21: 1-7). And so, tho I may tremble with tears as I look down into the abyss of death, I will cling to the Promises I have heard since my youth from God’s Word: “I will never leave or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5), “Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your sting? where, O grave, is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15: 54-55), “Your life is hidden in Christ.” (Colossians 3: 1-4), “You share in His resurrection.” (Romans 6: 5). I pray that if in my face the hammer’s cocked or the knife is raised, that I then cry out, “May God be praised!” Our prayer for our unsaved loved ones has been, “Let them be changed by seeing how we chose to live,”; now, let our prayer be, “Let them be changed by seeing how we are willing to die”! But Christians are not the only target. ISIS gives you two options: be a “true Muslim” or die. While Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11: 28-30) “ALL”! Jesus sends no one away (John 6: 37), only those who at their point of death refuse Him as the Son of God and their Savior from sins (Matthew 25: 40-42 & Revelation 22: 14-15). I have shared with you that I am weak, I am frightened, just like every person facing this new threat to their lives. But there is one difference, as the song goes: “My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus blood and righteousness I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly trust in Jesus name Christ alone; cornerstone Weak made strong; in the Saviors love Through the storm, He is Lord Lord of all When Darkness seems to hide His face I rest on His unchanging grace In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil” I needed to write out this statement; I needed to take this stand, for the sake of myself (planting myself on solid ground) and as a witness to others (encouraging them to search their hearts and make a choice now). The time is short (1 Corinthians 7: 28-31); the days are evil (Ephesians 5: 15-21). Death is near (Hebrews 9:27). But there is a life beyond ( Luke 20:37-38 & Matthew 25:46); you make the choice of where you will spend it (Romans 6:23). “The Lord...is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 AMP) “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.” (John 3:16 AMP) As I heard the horror stories about ISIS, I was ashamed at how afraid I was. But down in my heart, I could not be moved from my Sure Foundation! My prayer is that I may be strong, and not put my Lord to shame, if I should become a victim of persecution, and that I will use every opportunity to further the Gospel, for God’s Glory and the Furthering of His Kingdom (Philippians 3:10-11)! “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) And my next, and really greatest, prayer (and a thought that gives me hope and great expectation) is that Satan’s current effort to wipe out God’s children will result in the furthering of the Gospel and the growth of the church, as history has proven this to be true in the past. What Satan means for evil, God will work for Good (Genesis 50:20 & Romans 8:28)! Praise His name! Christians have been praying for revival in America...might this be the means by which it comes about? God has allowed and used such means before! Dear ones, “...we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.” Ephesians 6: 12 AMP (see also in context: Ephesians 6: 11-18 AMP) Put your life into perspective! Are you here only for yourself: to live, find pleasure and die? Mightn’t you be meant for more; a life of joy and peace beyond this shadow we call life, here? Search out the Truth, chose to trust Jesus with all your heart, mind, body and soul, and live here with the realization that when this shadow life ends the real life will begin! This is all easier said than taken to heart. But it must be taken to heart and absorbed, or you will never know peace on this earth in the face of danger, and you will never know peace in the life to come. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow!...I pray you can say the same. Come to God, through His Son Jesus; cast “the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully”! (1 Peter 5: 7 AMP) “What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]” Romans 8:31 AMP Praise His Holy Name! https://youtube/watch?v=6QvX4CwSmwY #ISIS #America #Christian #USA #Fear #Threat #Hope #Revival #God #Jesus #HolySpirit #Persecution #Church #persecutedchurch #Peace #Pray #Praise #Jesussaves #Godisgood #thestruggleisreal
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 03:08:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015