ACTS 9 - 15 - 16
But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine
to bear My name before Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel.
For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.
Elections are the buzz word in many countries, but are they really accurate or manipulated. Is it just another oligarchy. I was promptly reminded by a zealot "we are supposed to pray for our leaders". "Yes I do" I replied "I pray that God will remove them and raise up men of integrity and wisdom, I pray divine election not the people's selection. A cheeky grin and a cheery wave and most voters don't even take the time to research the individual who is supposed to serve them and eventually realise they serve their own agenda and hang on to power with all the tenacity of an octopus.
Over the next few months the mud slinging will begin. Dig and dig deep for anything you can find that will discredit any potential adversary. Somewhere in his/her past there will be something. Everyone has a skeleton or two in their closet. The thirst for power is ruthless.
Hadn't Saul of Tarsus done it all. A pharisee and a zealot every action justified with his religious mindset. He had watched as Stephen was stoned to death. His mission to wipe out, eliminate this Christian cult that followed their rebellious Jewish rabbi. Of course he didn't actually do the killing, like most leaders that falls somewhere down the chain of command. Guilt by proxy. They had crucified the leader now Saul's mandate was to eradicate His followers.
The Lord dealt with Saul in what can only be described as a 'bolt from the blue' and when he heard the voice of Yeshua that was it. That is enough to correct any mortal, the Lord brought him to his knees face down in the dirt - cleaned him up and sent him out. But having now changed sides he was listening to a different authority very aware he was unworthy of such forgiveness, compassion and love. But his zeal and single minded focus was about to be used mightily by His saviour.
Religious extremists of any shade are dangerous people, the violence in the scriptures is playing out again in the Middle East, they rise from the pit of hell to radicalize, inflicting misery and death on their opposition and any innocents who get in their way.
In today world there would be enough evidence to convict Paul. Now a follower of Christ he was a target for the Jews but the Christians didn't want to associate with him either - just look what he did to their people.
People will have their scapegoat. We are all guilty when we look the other way. We are all weak and we all fail. Ghandi said "if it's an eye for an eye the whole world will be blind" Thank heaven for a merciful and forgiving God. He loves us all but requires we pick up the cross of obedience.
And yes, God chooses who he uses and if you put your head above the parapet expect to be shot at.
Yeshua warned his followers:
Matthew 10 - 16
Behold I sent you out as sheep in the midst of wolves
To be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Speaking His Word you might just stir the 'hornets nest'. Many will rise against you, isolation and persecution will follow. Rejoice. Peter and Paul were in and out of the slammer. You are in good company. In China the underground church pastors are tortured and imprisoned. Read "The Heavenly Man" The state church isn't a problem and it won't be here - its the children who truly follow their Lord. The world will find any excuse to highlight past weaknesses, spotlight your fall from grace, and gladly slam the prison door shut.
The sad case of the young christian woman doctor in Sudan continues. Re-arrested with her two children they have cleverly found another charge against her. She faces seven years in jail if she is found guilty and they will be doing their utmost to ensure the case goes against her. PLEASE PRAY for Mariam Yehya Ibrahim a sudanese doctor and christian. May the Lord deal with these people and bring her and her children to a safe harbor.
Psalm 119 - 105
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
SHALOM
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