I apologize for my post being so late today...it has been a busy day!
Matthew 5: 11-12 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
In the course of the last several months, I have often thought of these verses. We have personally experienced this in our family. We were insulted, persecuted, and had many false, evil things said about us, because we chose to do what we believe is right and biblical for our children. Not to get into too many details, but we were humiliated, and we even lost a (foster) child through this whole process. It has been very painful for our whole family! It has often been dificult to rejoice in this circumstance, but I know that is what Christ tells us to do! I so often think of those believers in other places in the world, who are daily persecuted and even have their children killed because of their faith! Here in America, we have no concept of what that is really like, but Christ rejoices with these dear believers who keep plugging away, never denying Him. It's just not always easy to stand up for what we know is right, and to claim Christ, and it can sometimes mean tremendous pain and loss, but we can rejoice. I pray that I will always have the courage to stand up for the name of Christ, no matter what kind of suffering I may have to endure because of it!
Please continue to pray today for our dear friend Lenore, as she is still fighting infection. She does seem to be showing improvement, but still needs lots of prayer, as does the family, who has been riding this roller coaster of emotion for over a month now!
Pray for my dad also that he will be healed of his pancreatic cancer!
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Always love reading your wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for whatever terrible things your family has had to endure. God is just and I'm glad you were able to stand up even tho you had to endure persecution. Your reward will come...
Still praying for Lenore and your dad and for your family!
thanks for linking
Hi dear friend,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that your family has suffered persecution and how awful to have had a foster child taken off you. The Lord has given you a calling and you are so right for sticking with it! We will suffer in our lifetimes but nothing compared to what our saviour suffered at the cross.
Collette xxx
Elizabeth, It is incredible to realize all that was accomplished by Christ when He died for us on the cross. Not only did He take our punishment but he took ALL of our sickness and disease and by His stripes we were healed (Isaiah 53 & 2 Peter 2:24). I am praising God for His healing in your friend as well as your father. Remember, there is no name higher than the name of Jesus - that includes 'infection' and 'pancreatic cancer'. Jesus commended those who came to Him for healing as He said, '...your faith has healed you.' It is always God's will to heal. We need to stand in faith (Ephesians 6) and decree a thing (Job 22:28) and it shall be established for us. You are loved and as you and your family persevere, 'Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have a full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be (people) perfectly and fully developed (with no defects), lacking in nothing (James 1:3-4 AMP). You are loved and greatly appreciated. Be blessed!
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