Our Suffering In Christ

 Our Suffering In Christ

A Word on Suffering and Abiding

When we get saved, we confess Jesus as our Lord, and believe in Him alone for salvation.

We are called to Walk in the Spirit, And to abide in Him.

We get great joy in the Lord. Prayers answered. Life changing experiences, and we see Him working to protect and grow us.

But, times of trouble do come.

There are many reasons, and we can debate each one. But the end answer is always the same.

Draw closer to the Lord. Lean on Him. Trust his goodness and His promises. Believe and abide.

I can tell you that when trouble comes, the first thing the devil does is whisper into my mind that God is far from me. That He is not listening. That He doesn't care. That He has made up His mind.

The devil says that God is all powerful, and would take the trouble away in a heart beat. That God is punishing me. That God is going to destroy me.

This is what happened with Eve. The enemy got her to doubt God's goodness and promises.

We see in Job, that he lost everything, even his own health. All to get him to blame God and cast Him aside. Satan even used Job's wife to torment him.

Job questioned. But he did not curse God.

Even Jesus when He was taken by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted, like we are. He refused to turn in to himself. He continued to rely on the father and trust the father.

When Eve turned from God, destruction came. When the Israelites turned from God, the enemy had reign to destroy them.

There is suffering in Christ, but joy comes in the morning, when we abide.

I'm not talking about sinning. Our sins are forgiven and washed. We are dead to sins. I'm talking about abiding through suffering.

The devil tempts us to turn away, back to our old life. Back to our old way of doing things. He tempts us to get angry at God and cast Him aside.

We do not lose our salvation, if we ever had it. But, if we turn from God, things will not get better. We have opened ourselves up for worse. And have rejected the only real friend we have.

But God is faithful. He will keep trying to draw us to Him, regardless of our rejection. Like Peter, He comes to see if we will confess Him and turn to Him.

When we suffer, and abide in Christ. He is with us and comes with us through the other side. Then we can see the truth. That He was with us the whole time, and our faith in Him grows.

As these last days get closer, things will get worse. The temptation will be to reject Him and join the Apostate Church.

But, stay with Him. He will see you through. It might be as if by fire, or by the skin of your teeth, but He is there. Trust Him

Like Job said "though He slay me, still will I trust in Him." (Job 13:15)

 

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

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Photo by the writer, an old train tunnel in Southern Illinois. Tunnel Hill Trail.

Your Testimony

 Your Testimony

A Word on Spiritual Warfare and Knowing God.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”—Revelation 12:11.

The enemy cannot take our salvation, nor our testimony.

Our salvation is held in God’s hand and no created thing can touch it.

Our testimony is our experiences with God. When Jesus healed the Gadarene Demoniac he said “Go and tell your friends and family the great things God has done for you”

That’s testimony. Testimony is saying “All I know is that once I was lost but now I am found. I was once blind…but now I see.”. It is like Paul said, “I came unto you preaching nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

When we are saved, we have an encounter with God. This moment cannot be taken from you. YOU KNOW there is a God and He rewards those who seek Him. Because if you seek Him, it’s because He first called you, and you responded.

It’s not a belief. YOU KNOW. Then, as you walk with God, you encounter Him again and again. And YOU KNOW. This cannot be taken from you, like your salvation.

They can take your bible, they can take your church, they can take your friends and family, they can cancel you, they can take your income, but they cannot take your salvation or your testimony, because YOU KNOW. If you really KNOW.

In these last days, as things get worse, it is our job to use our salvation, and our testimony to overcome the enemy. Tell people the great things God has done for you. People need it.

Regardless, of what the future holds, people are suffering today. The peace and hope God has given you can help others. Not judging. Just giving them your testimony.

It doesn’t matter if you know the Bible, or if you can’t speak well. It doesn’t matter if you are the perfect little church boy. or a sinner barely getting through.

Just tell what has happened to you, with God. Just open your mouth and you will be surprised what comes out. God will give you the words, if you are willing, and honest.

Just ask Him. He will come running. He will help. He will save. He will show Himself to you. You will KNOW.

And that could be the end of the message. But, I want to go further.

The verse quoted at the top of the page was part of a larger verse. In context, it gives us important information. So here is the entire section:

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

⁸ And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

⁹ And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

¹⁰ And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

¹² Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” —-Revelation 12:7-12

Ok, it is my belief, that at some point in the future there will be war in heaven and Satan along with his demonic cohorts, will be cast down to Earth, and every thing that we think is bad will get a thousand times worse.

I do not believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. So, I think believers will be here until God pours out His wrath. Which means that all the persecution spoken of in Revelation will be coming upon believers.

Just like the first church was persecuted under the Romans and Religious Leaders, the future or present church will face the same tribulations. It’s not wrath, it’s cleansing.

Just like Jesus purified the Temple at the beginning of His ministry, and again, at the end of His ministry. His earthly temple, the church will be purified at the beginning, and the end.

That’s my view.

I don’t want to get into all of that.

My point is that, our testimony has power.

Regardless of your individual views on prophecy, we can agree that things are going to get worse.

And as they get worse, we might lose our churches, we might not be able to own bibles, we might have to meet in secret basements, like so many believers around the world already do today.

We might get thrown in prison and beat. But, our testimony and our salvation will overcome the devil and his slaves.

Our salvation will take us from this world and his grasp. Our testimony will allow us to take others with us. That’s how the devil is overcome.

Remember that, as the day approaches.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

 Photo by the Author, A sunrise in Southern Illinois.

No King, But Jesus

 No King, But Jesus

A Word on Real and False Leaders

 

 

 When we look at scripture, we see Samuel rebuking Saul. He says “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as idolatry. (1 Sam. 15:23)

      

Now, a lot of preachers love to preach that this means we should bow down and obey false authority. But, this verse is talking about rebellion against God. It’s about being stubborn toward God.

      

How are we saved? We are saved by confessing that Jesus is our Lord. We are saved by surrendering to God, and letting Him guide our lives, and sanctify us. When we don’t it is rebellion, and stubbornness.

    

 Some folks will tell you that this is referring to being obedient to them. They put themselves in the position of God. God is real, and He can lead us. He does it through His Spirit, and by such means that develops the fruits of the Spirit in us. He allows things into our lives that cause us to be patient, loving, joyful, and peaceful. Be brings things that cause us to learn these fruits. Not as men see it, but as God sees it.

      

So, where did Saul come from? He was made King by God, when the people demanded a king (1 Sam. 8:1-22)

    

 Before Saul, the people had no king but God Himself. They listened to His Spirit, and went as the Spirit led. They also followed their own flesh and did not follow God. They refused to keep Him in their heart. They refused to keep Him before their eyes. Just the same as we do. They had the law and followed it or not.

      

The scripture says “They did what was right in their own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)  Now, a lot of preachers condemn this. They see it as rebellion. I disagree, because there is no evidence of God condemning it. He had Samuel the prophet, but there’s no evidence that God told Samuel to preach against it. God was fine with the way things were. Not saying God accepted sin. But, this was the system God set up. A system whereby He was in charge, and the people had a means to have their sins cleansed if they continued to abide in God. It wasn’t the sin, it was that they did not really believe, and did not really confess sins on the sacrifice. Why would God oppose His own system?

     

 So, what happened? The people demanded a King. Why? Because they could not handle the freedom God had given them. They wanted someone to control their neighbor. They wanted someone they could buy and control, in order to get their way. They rejected the Spirit of God. They rejected His freedom and grace, for rules and control.

    

 So, they cried out for a king, and God plainly states, “They are rejecting me”. He does not applaud them. He doesn’t have a problem with them doing what was right in their own eyes, because they are listening to His Spirit as He guides them. Not perfectly, but not wickedly either.

      

So, God gives them Saul. Saul is a curse. Saul is there to take over and impose the law, and all of the things God says will come upon them, if they reject Him. (1 Sam. 8:10-18) So, by accepting a king, they are bringing these curses. This is a foreshadowing of what will happen with the Anti-Christ. We accept that king, instead of the real King.

     

 Real authority loves the people. Real authority does not steal from them. Real authority allows freedom, not control. Real authority is a picture of Christ. Not a perfect picture, because we are humans and we sin. But, there is a difference between real authority from God and false authority.  Understand what I am saying here. The scriptures teach that God gives us the Authorities. It teaches that we should respect them for the position they hold, but Jesus said not to be like them. God put Saul in authority, but Saul became wicked. He was put there as a curse and to teach a lesson. Just because someone is in authority, does not change the nature of their authority. Some is real, and some is false.  Understand this, and realize that we have freedom from God to speak against evil, to resist evil, and to not be like them. However, we still respect the position of authority, and try to be wise and fair. Prophets spoke against evil kings. Jesus spoke against evil authority.

      

So, remember the crucifixion of Jesus. He had been beaten terribly, and was brought to Pilate again, and he presented him to the people. The religious leaders, who were listening to demonic entities, got the people to demand His death. They got the people to choose Barabbas instead of Jesus.  They chose Satan, a murderer, rebel, and thief  instead of Christ. This is the same spirit that led the Israelites, to reject God and demand a false king. God gave them Saul. This is the same anti-christ spirit, which will eventually lead people to reject Christ, and choose the final false king. The Anti-Christ. That spirit will likewise use religious leaders who have accepted a one world religion, so they can keep control, wealth and power, just like they always do.

    

 That spirit has worked in the children of disobedience since before the Flood. It led humans to build the tower of Babel, in order to be united and fight God.

      

That spirit is building a tower today, and uniting humans against God; preparing them to choose a different king.

      

Don’t fall for it, no matter what; even if the whole world is facing a plague, and economic collapse, and starvation, and destruction. Choose God. Follow His Spirit. Confess Jesus as your Lord. Ask Him to save you. Choose freedom, and reject the enemy. The love of money is the root of all evil. Be wise. Be content. Love your neighbor enough to allow them to be free.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

 Photo by the writer. The Bald Knob Cross of Peace in Southern Illinois.

Sharing Burdens

 Sharing Burdens

A Word on Charity

As believers we are called to share each other’s burdens. (Romans 12:1-21) Yet, I have seen where churches fail miserably in this department. They will search high and low for someone to save, and then once they are “saved”, they will leave them to their own devices.        

      Often times, we will blanket an area that is low income with flyers, asking them to come to church, or to some event. But, churches are really not prepared or often willing to help with the needs of the people they are reaching out to.
      
     People of lower income, who are not “Well Churched” will often come to a church and get saved or start attending regularly. Then the members of the church start finding out the vast amount of needs the person or family has. They see the huge differences between someone who has never been to church, and some who grew up in the church. This often causes church going people to judge, and drive people away, because they cannot figure out why the person or family can’t get right, or do what church people think they should do.
      
     Poor folks often don’t have cars, or they have broken down vehicles. They don’t have licenses. They can’t pay bills. They have been to jail, or prison. They have no child care. They often have no real income, or they work jobs that are considered servile. They do not always have internet or cable. They don’t have access to things we take for granted. When people fall on tough times, or are the products of generational poverty, the hurdles that must be overcome are often beyond the understanding of your average church member.
      
     It’s not always so easy to just pull yourself up by the boot straps. There are things that must be overcome. There are rules that must be followed, that often lead to more rules and more hurdles. There are generational curses, and personal curses. There are mental issues, and demonic entities to overcome. There is often sin that a person must conquer before they can start advancing. Not to mention addictions. Just saying “Go get a job” is not always as simple as we might think, nor is it the easy answer. I have lived through this mess, and it takes time, and God to overcome. It also takes help from people who are willing to share the burdens.
    
      First off, is the person able to fill out an application well enough to get hired? Does the person have a criminal record that could keep them from work? Do they have a valid Driver’s license? Do they have health or mental issues? When you consider these things, the difficult task of living life in this society becomes unreal. How can a poor person take a driver’s test without a decent reliable vehicle to take the test in? Every person they know has a junker car. The DMV refuses such vehicles. What if they can’t read or have no real work history? What if their only real personal reference, that is not family, is Jimmy the crack dealer?
      
     Does the person have an address? Applications of all kinds require an address. Do they have a phone? Do they have internet access? Most applications are online anymore. Can they get to a place where there is internet access? These are things that are needed to “get a job’.
      
     Who will give the rides to interviews? Do they have clean clothes? Can they afford the work clothes required? Do they have child care? Can the person behave in a manner that will help them convince an employer to hire them? Oftentimes people from rough backgrounds have rough manners. It’s often things they do not even see in themselves.
     
      If they get the job, how do they get back and forth to work? How do they get food, clothes, hygiene items, or pay bills until the first pay check comes in? Then, remember that businesses often keep the first paycheck. So, you are talking about 2 weeks to a month before the first payday.
      
     What I have said here does not even begin to cover what a person could need to get up on their feet, or be an average member of society. There might be legal issues, like court dates or fines that must be resolved or paid. There might be health or mental issues. There could be family troubles, like divorce, teen pregnancy, or families practicing “tough love” and refusing to help other members because they are tired of them. But, this person still needs help.
      
     The point is that churches must take these things into consideration with their outreach programs. We bring people to get saved, but do nothing to help their needs, or do just enough to feel good about it. This leads to failure, and driving the person away from Christ even more.
      
     The Bible tells us how to do it. We share burdens. The Holy Spirit comes along side us and helps us. He teaches us, and he grows us. We should do the same with those around us in our churches that have needs. There should be no one in your church who has to go around every week begging for assistance. There should be no one in your church who pulls up on Sunday in an old beater car, while the entire church family drives Cadillac’s or new cars. Often, at church we do things we do not realize. We have youth events where all the kids must buy a $25.00 dollar t-shirt. Or we send kids to camp for $300 or more. We go out to eat, and the cost of the meal is $20 a person. To a poor family, these costs are insurmountable, and it’s insulting to them when the church members offer to pay these costs. Why not help these families get on their feet so they can pay it themselves.
      
     Wouldn’t it be better, and more Christian, to talk to people? To get to know the people in our churches, and to come along side them, like the Holy Spirit does us. To help the people get up on their feet, no matter how hard, or how much they fail. Doesn’t God do the same for us? This isn’t charity that is insulting, this is helping people to stand up, and be free. This is showing people real love, not telling them to come kneel at my footstool. (James 2:1-26)
      
     We need to make friends, and tell them about Jesus. We need to be honest with them and get to know them. Not as our latest charity cause, or another notch on our spiritual belt, but as someone of value. Sharing burdens is part of this. Give rides. Pay bills. Watch kids. Over look failures. Be the person they come to when they have a need. We are called to burn ourselves out for Christ. We are to die for others. (John 15:13) We have our jobs and our incomes for the purpose of helping others. Often times, the cost of a meal at the local restaurant would pay bills, for a family in need. Yet, we won’t give it to them. These people come to our churches, and become our brothers and sisters in Christ, while we watch them struggle with things that we could easily help them resolve; if we would just share the burden. 

 

      Jesus plainly states in Matthew 25, " Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." 

 

     Churches are full of people who are not saved.  They tend to run churches and do nothing for the Kingdom. They waste money and efforts on worldly things. When the Lord returns we will be judged on what we did for the poor, and downtrodden, because our efforts of love could lead them to Christ.

     When you read Matthew 25, the Lord says nothing about attending church, or fixing buildings or worship services, or bible studies, or whether you said cuss words, or even committed sexual immorality. 

     He asks what you did for those in need. Because when we show love, we can tell them about Jesus.

     I'm not talking about being saved by works. I'm saying that when we know Jesus and have a relationship with Him, we cannot help but do what we can for the downtrodden.

     Sharing people's burden's is a way to do that.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photo by the Writer. Doors of the old Mount Olive Church. The building is located at a historic site in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.