Thursday, April 10, 2008

Suffering for being a Christian

1 Peter 4: 12-19

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.

13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.

16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

18 And,
"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.


In today's world there are many who claim to be Christians. I am one of them. It's really hard to claim the name Christian when the world sees Christians in so many different lights. I suppose they are right because I too see many that are calling themselves Christians that don't believe as I do and I wonder if they realize the difference.

What does it mean to be a Christian? First of all, and most important, you have to be a follower of Jesus Christ and believe He died on the cross to pay for all our sins, in full. I suppose that's it in a nutshell.

On the internet, TV, radio and even in some churches, we are being spoon feed what seems like a type of religion, but in fact is just another wave of new age thinking. They leave out the most important thing. They are all about doing good, giving away material things, and seeking a "higher power". Baloney! You know what baloney is... it's a mixture of all kinds of throw away stuff. Something you wouldn't eat if you knew what it was really made of.

I worry about my granddaughters and how they will cope with the dangers of the world as it continues down the path of what appears to me as destruction. Just in my lifetime I have seen so many changes that it boggles my mind. There is no telling what will happen in the next twenty years if God sees fit to let our world continue.

Anyway, on this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful that I serve a living God, that my family is safe and secure, that my grandchildren have Christian parents and thankful for the beauty in my backyard that blesses my heart each time I walk outside.

Enjoy your day on God’s earth.



I had fun today taking photos of my yard. I don't think Cocoa Puff liked getting photographed. :) Or, maybe she just wasn't ready for her close-up.

6 comments:

kimberly said...

i worry too, phyllis.....but i have to learn to put so much of that in God's hands....or i would worry myself to death.

the thing that amazes me, is that with all of the "negative" changes that we are made aware of every day, that make me fearful.....i continue to see or hear about the goodness of people every day also...and i am thankful for that!

i too, am thankful for the very things you mentioned....i hope you have a beautiful day in georgia....
hugs,
kimberly

kimberly said...

p.s.
i looooove your backyard! have a cup of coffee/tea out there for me, please? :)

Anonymous said...

Praise God for leaders who are not afraid to preach the Word in truth! Continue to pray for your grandchildren, even those you don't have yet, and leave God to handle the rest.

I agree with Nonnie about your garden being so beautiful. You must be a great artist because you have such wonderful inspiration so close to you :-)

God bless,
Sallie

Phyllis Russell Franklin said...

Oh thanks so much Sally and Kimberly for the kind words. I've been working in my backyard for several weeks now as I have a young lady that is helping me. She is going to college to be a nurse and is working with me in the afternoons when she can. It feels good to get the flower garden back in shape since I let it go to weeds for the past two years! More about all that later.

Joni said...

the philosophy of the emergent church bothers me too...I think this may be what you are referencing by "new age thinking"...? Often thought of as the cult of new liberal theology...it is worrisome to see the direction of things, but I do think (or hope anyway) that contextual teachings from the bible will have the last word...I liken the new age theories to the church and city of Laodicea (Revelation 3:15-17) ...
about the dangers of the world, I think they've always been there just in different form...if we open our hearts to the word, God will lead us in the right direction.

good topic here!
you always make me think.

Joni said...

I forgot to add...I wish I could work in your garden with you...what a joy that would be, cackling and weeding...what fun!

Word of the day.

.:.