Sunday, July 31, 2016

Leisurely Lingering

Several years ago a friend and I took at train ride from Blue Ridge, Georgia.  The four-hour trip included a two-hour layover in McCaysville, Georgia.  It was a scenic ride at a nice pace.  Aside from hurrying to catch a train, it was a great day of leisurely lingering and what we’ve come to call – a good junkin’ day!

 

God’s mercy is seen in Scripture from cover-to-cover, but the first writing of the Hebrew chemal – root word meaning mercy – is found in the account of Lot, Abraham’s nephew, and the pending destruction of Sodom. “As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, ‘Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.’ But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.” (Genesis 19:15-16). Note – God is merciful and Lot lingers!  Our trip to McCaysville, Georgia was also a trip to Copperhill, Tennessee: part of the town is in Georgia, the other part is in Tennessee.  You can literally have one foot in Georgia and one foot in Tennessee!  Oh, what a spiritual dilemma a divided heart is.  It’s impossible to sincerely and faithfully fear and serve a holy God while [at the same time] embracing worldly idols – anything put ahead of Christ.  While God currently extends all He is – merciful, kind, patient, loving, compassionate – we linger.  God will not always tarry – the day of lingering will end.  Joshua proclaimed, “Choose this day whom you will serve … As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15).  Because the time of leisurely lingering grows short, let us choose and live wisely! 

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Faith Supplement

The word “supplement” has evolved.  I remember when it more commonly described hard-working dads and moms who worked a second job or assumed additional duties to supplement the family's income.  I suspect today the word’s more popular use describe those powders and pills we take to give us the healthy stuff we’re not eating.  Yeah, decipher that one!

 

The Apostle Peter gave us one of the greatest spiritual supplements to the Christian's faith: “Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:5-8).  By nature, supplements aren’t food itself but rather they add oomph to what we eat.  Many Christians today wonder why they lack spiritual vigor to move toward-over-through mountains and valleys they face.  The more common response is to look for a detour – a way around them, to avoid the hardship of them.  Peter continues, “For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind.”  In the physical sense, nearsightedness isn't blindness - only the inability to see things clearly but Peter regards the one who doesn’t supplement his faith [with the divine qualities listed] as one who is spiritually impaired.  These qualities are not faith itself, but strengthen and make our faith evident in the mountain-valley experiences.  Rob Kauflin wrote these inspiring words in his song, "Valley of Vision: "When you lead me to the valley of vision, I can see You in the heights."  The mountains and the valleys are not our enemies because [as the song continues] "the valley's where You make me more like Christ."  Oh, how we need those spiritual supplements!  Let me challenge you, encourage you, stir up within you the hunger and the thirst for His righteousness: read His Word, meditate on His words, listen to Him, talk with Him, see the mountains and valleys as where you’ll grow and know Him on deeper levels.  Yes, supplement your faith!

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Little Things

Little things often seem so ... well, little.  I catch myself thinking -- why bother, it won't really matter, it's not enough.  The next time you are trapped in this thought-cycle, remember the following "borrowed blessing" by John Duckworth.

 

The Little Things.  God seems interested in little things. A widow's coin. The washing of a foot. The surrender of a small boy's loaves and fish. He makes much of little things -- as much as He wants to. He may call us to move mountains once in a while, but the rest of the time He has plenty of molehills to be re-located. He probably wants more encouraging notes sent than books written, more sandwiches shared than sermons preached, more Band-Aids applied than edifices built. That's good news for those of us who have only little things to work with. Like a cup of water. Or a chicken. Or a word or deed so tiny it can't even be remembered -- except by the recipient, who may never, ever forget.

Soul Solace

The beach and the sun -- what a wonderful duo!  Beneath a coastal sun among warm ocean breezes is what my mind sees ... as often as it can!  One of my beach treasures is my beach umbrella. It’s shade is an appealing welcome from the hot sun.  Why, its shade even attracts Mr. Bill!

 

Life can bring some scorching heat for which God gives relief: Psalm 17:8  "... hide me under the shadow of Thy wings."  Psalm 57:1  "...in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge."  Psalm 63:7  "...in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice."  The provision comes from His Shadow!  Just the shadow of God Himself is all we need to find protection, rest, and comfort.  It is not a temporary or passing place; it is both steadfast and eternal.  There is no need to face troubles here as if there is no solace for the soul.  There is provision, and it is the Shadow of an ever-present Father.  Get outta heat – seek your soul’s Solace today … and stay there!

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Essay on Joy

Here's the rule: Mama proofreads all essays!  Not only is she a perfectionist, which is not always a blessing, she knows her stuff.  It doesn't hurt that she is a writer and can suggest about ten different ways to say one thing!

 

What if we were called to write a treatise on joy?  Perhaps we would have to wait for the "perfect" day -- a calm day, void of frustrations and aggravations.  And, just how long would we have to wait for such a day? Sometimes I find myself living as if peddling furiously on a stationary bike -- the same chores, the same scenery, the same routine ... the word "joy" just another word lacking real meaning.  The Apostle Paul wrote his discourse on joy in horrible circumstances: confined within the dreary walls of a prison, chained to a Roman guard.  His letter to the church at Philippi could have been riddled with complaints, bitterness, and pessimism, but it wasn't.  One of the most profound passages of encouragement and genuine joy are found in Philippians: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things ... And the God of peace will be with you." (4:8 & 9b)  Paul's essay describes a life absorbed and immersed in Christ, rendering a joyful heart that knows the extent of God's Love in Christ Jesus, and a life committed to "shine like stars in the universe" as it holds out the word of life to others (4:15-16)  Well, we may never be called write an essay on joy in the literal sense, but we live its theme every day.  What does your essay of joy say?  Don't forget – the world is proofreading it!

Thursday, July 21, 2016

The Breach

My parents may not remember this but, for me, it is a vivid childhood memory.  We traveled to the North Georgia mountains to visit some relatives who lived high in the hills, and off the beaten path.  We came to a small stream and there was no bridge.  I’m not sure what I thought at the moment, but I assumed we’d come to an impasse – that we would turn around.  We did not!  Without much ado, Dad just plowed right ahead, driving through the shallow waters.  Goodness gracious, what an adventure that was!

 

What a powerful statement: “The access we have to the throne of grace, and the freedom of speech allowed us, are just matter of humble wonder.” (Matthew Henry).  Perhaps my prayers to Almighty God are more arrogant than humble, resembling more of an official request rather than a lowly plea.  Abraham was one [of many] who stood before God – Righteous Judge of all the earth – pleading God’s favor on both righteous and unrighteous.  Have you listened to conversations lately – topics about hatred and violence of man against man?  I’ve heard them, even been part of them, and something is amiss!  As Abraham stood before the Lord, pleading God’s mercy upon the wicked city of Sodom, we see the attitude of Abraham’s heart:  “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.” (Genesis 18:27).  No doubt, what is happening all around us is tragic and we can spend hours of debate on how to “fix” things, but it is God Who judges righteously – not man.  Beside living peaceably with our fellow men (Romans 12:18), the greatest need today is that Christians stand humbly before God.  Isaiah groaned there was no one “who calls on Your Name, Who arouses himself to take hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us and have delivered us into the power of our iniquities.” (Isaiah 64:7).  Oh, if our conversations were instead pleas to God – honest and humble to the only True and Righteous Judge – the One Who can heal and restore men’s hearts.  The breach between God and man need not be a chasm of helplessness because we have a High Priest Who  is able to “sympathize with our weaknesses … Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16).  The absence of a bridge seemed a problem for me – Dad saw it differently.  As we converse about current events, let us not neglect to pray for our world, our nation, our communities, and the hearts of men.  Let our prayers to Jehovah God bridge the breach.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Meal or Munchies

Mr. Bill is the Munch King at our house.  He does like a good meal but he loves him some munchies: cookies, grapes, cashews, popcorn.  Some nights, it’s a full-course munch-meal!

 

Spurgeon asks and answers, “Where lies the secret strength of faith?  It lies in the food it feeds on.”  If we really ARE what we eat, I suspect many of us are in deep trouble.   No wonder so many Christians are spiritually malnourished with regard to what competes for our time in God’s Word – television, cell phones, video games, books, magazines, shopping, sleeping.  Busy usually overcomes us as we choose the urgent rather than the prudent. Pastor Tony reminded his congregation often that good is the worst enemy of best – God’s Best!  Pastor Tim reminds us just a little talk with Jesus isn’t enough!  Why is it we’re content with and settle for casual bits and pieces of time with God in study, prayer, worship,  dodging the table of healthy and satisfying proportions of Truth to strength and sustain.  Mr. Bill’s evening munch-meal is a serious matter!  Oh, that we take spiritual growth and nourishment seriously, lingering at Christ’s Table in God’s Presence every opportunity.  It really is a choice of meals or munchies.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

No Slackin'

Fairly certain I’ve never sang this and I’m not sure where actually heard this, but the silly song came to mind today: “Do your ears hang low?  Do they wobble to and fro?  Can you tie them in a knot?  Can you tie them in a bow?  Do your ears hang low?”  I’m not sure which is stranger – the song or my recollection of it!

 

Lest we fail to realize it, Satan is an opportunist!  If he were not, Scripture would not tell us “And give no opportunity to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:27).  Every opportunity we give him, it’s certainly not our ears he wants to tie in knots and bows!  One thing is needed to tie a good knot or bow, and it’s slack; the string or ribbon or rope has to be a bit loose or relaxed.  Tautness makes it near-to-impossible to make the loops necessary to tie a good knot or make a bow.  Peter writes to Christians that we are to be “…  be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).  We must be spiritually taut – giving no slack to Satan or we’ll “wobble to and fro” and end up with our head “hung low” in sinful shame!  Is there hope against evil doings?  Oh, yes – “I hope in Your Word.” (Psalm 119:114, 147).  Do you wonder why-why-why this crazy woman writes to you day-after-day?  Simple – Satan is tailin’ me all the time!  I’ve learned my best defense is to stay in the Word, work hard to stay spiritually taut … no slackin’ !!

Monday, July 18, 2016

Eyes on Him

Karoly Takacs was a champion shooter in his native Hungary when his right hand, his pistol hand, was shattered by a hand grenade. Ten years later, at the 1948 Games, Takacs won his first Olympic Gold Medal -- using his left hand.

 

Did you know that God can take sour, bitter things in our lives and blend them into something that smells and tastes as sweet as honey?  Well, He can indeed!  All He needs in the midst of our struggles is our trust and obedience.  We may not know where we are being led, but we must trust the One leading us.  And, by the way, He doesn't care for the whining and grumbling along the way; He has something to say about that in Philippians 2:14 "Do all things without complaining ..."   He wants our trust in and obedience to Him to shine before others.  You've probably heard "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade."  That's what Karoly Takacs did – he refused to look back, only forward.  That's the secret -- to follow we must keep our eyes on The Leader.  The sour and the bitter will soon become faint shadows of where we are going and what we are becoming.  Maybe you are dealing with lemons right now in your life and the struggle seems hopeless. Turn your eyes away from what sours and makes bitter.  Turn toward what is firm and sweet -- Jesus Christ.

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Engineered By Christ

A spoon full of sugar may help the medicine go down, but our sweet Ella-girl will tell you it makes her wild!  That’s actually her campaign promise for sugar: she promises if she can have a sucker, she won’t let it make her wild!

 

This may seem profound: God is the true source of Godly fruits.  “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such thins there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23.  Try as we will, we cannot manufacture patience – it eventually wears thin and out; we cannot produce peace – eventually a warring spirit comes; we cannot control self – eventually all control is lost!  There is much debate about genetically modified organisms (GMO), their benefits and risks.  While things occurring outside of nature are suspect, there is nothing suspicious about what is spiritually modified by Almighty God.  Left to ourselves – the natural, sinful man – we will not bear Godly fruit; we bear only fruit that occurs from the natural, sinful man: hate, hostility, and such as fill the news daily.  Much like too much sugar causes Ella to act wildly – life apart from God carries huge risks.  Yes, we learn to abide by laws of the land, act neighborly, even show random kindness to others but it’s manufactured not natural!  Paul wrote “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 3:16).  When we are spiritually engineered by Christ, the fruits of His Spirit emerge and we walk accordingly with The Father and with others.  I suppose we must consider who’s the engineer of the fruit we bear: is it ourselves or is it God?

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Seek the Quiet

It’s interesting to consider night sounds.  If you live in the city, it's the sounds of automobiles and sirens.  In the country, it's tree frogs, owls, whippoorwills, or it just might be Mr. Bill [in his underwear on the front porch] yelling to the neighbor's dog to "shut up."  Yes, there’s some interesting “night sights” too! :)

 

God said, "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)  When was the last time you were in the ... quiet?  No television – radio – dishwasher – computer – cell phone - iPad.  At times we seem a bit uncomfortable with quietness.  The Hebrew word “still” is translated “to slacken” as releasing tension in a rope.  The pressures of this world don’t provide much slack, and easily we find ourselves much in need of some still and quiet.  In 1 Kings 19:11-12, we read of Elijah waiting for the wind and earthquake and fire to pass before he heard the “still small voice” of God.  That wind-fire-earthquake thing sounds much like … well, life!  Scripture tells us Jesus sought solitary, quiet places to be alone with The Father – away from the crowds and life’s demands.  What a model for us to pursue stillness and quiet so we can experience God’s precious melodies and sweet fellowship.  Do so today -- seek the quiet.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Growing Up

Our sweet Isabelle had her 1st birthday recently; Ella and Cable will soon celebrate 5th and 3rd.  Birthdays represent years, but they also come with new stages.  Isabelle is beginning to take steps, Ella no longer wears her floaties in the small pool, and Caleb now sleeps in a big-boy bed. 

 

Paul begins Chapter 4 of Ephesians writing about the unifying aspects of the Body of Christ (known as the Church).  He lists characteristics of humility, gentleness, longsufferng, love, peace as part of Christians’ calling.  Why so?  Because “There is one body and one Spirit … one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all … Grace was given to each one of us, according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (V.4-7).  I hear the Grands’ parents groan at their children growing older – it’s not so much the number of years as it is the progression of moving from baby to toddler to adolescent.  Although those memories of my little boys are treasures, as best I recall, I looked forward to the days when my buggy wasn’t filled with diapers and baby food!  In Verses 9-16, Paul affirms God’s gifts to the Church – apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers – “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather … we are to grow up in every way into Him Who is the head into Christ.”  As Church attendance has declined in America, so has Biblical literacy – so has faithfulness to Godly principles – so has Godly leaders – so has the belief in “one nation under God.”  I fear the Church  has lost its voice and its effectiveness because It is made up of spiritual babies, who have become content with the milk of the Gospel.  There are many good Biblical reasons why Mr. Bill and I are faithful church-goers but relative to this passage, let me give you this reason: we go because we need to hear the Truth of God’s Word preached and taught to us.  We [too] are vulnerable to being tossed to-and-fro, the winds-of-doctrine, the human cunning, the crafty deceits and schemes.  We’re not interested in being senior saints who are spiritual babies!  Have you considered your progression toward maturity as a Christian?  Let us never stop growing up in Christ!

Monday, July 11, 2016

Savory Moments

Mr. Bill loves apple pie.  Before he ever takes a bite, he puts the steaming dish his nose and slowly inhales.  If not for the look of sheer delight on his face, it would seem such a silly ritual. Silly ritual or not, he has developed an art to savoring apple pie.

 

Are you guilty of missing savory moments of life?  I know I am!  I can't believe it but today I [actually] savored doing laundry.  As I turned nasty-yucky-stinky t-shirts right-side-out I imagined the fun those little boys had getting those shirts dirty. Then I thought how much I loved those guys and the hands that would reach into the drawer to take out and put on fresh-and-clean shirts.  It was an unsavory task but truly one of life's savory moments.  Now, before you raise your hand to vote me Mom of the Year, let me be clear –I missed more than I savored!  How do we learn to delight in the undelightful, savor the unsavory?  In her book, You Bring the Confetti, Luci Swindoll writes: "Pleasure lies in the heart, not in the happenstance. Our circumstances may be dreadful and riddled with reasons for discouragement or sorrow, but that doesn't mean those moments are utterly devoid of happiness ... Those special savored moments of fun, reflection, happiness, and pleasure give us a tiny taste of what eternity with Christ will one day be like."  God's Word says "We do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen at temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).  Oh, how much more pleasant our lives are when we slow down, inhale, and savor the beauty of the moments that are ours. 

 

Dear Lord,

I suppose I've missed so many savory moments already, that I dare not look back.  Keep my face and my heart alert to life's precious little moments that cannot be recaptured -- only savored and treasured as they occur.  In Jesus' Name, Amen

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Unfeathered

Few of us remember being potty-trained, but I’m sure all of us are glad we are! From a toddler’s point of view, the experience must truly be puzzling.  Perhaps it’s a grace not being able to recall these memories!

 

Part of every Believer’s life should be a harvest of righteousness.  Really, imagine your life if your parents had “skipped” the potty-training time!  In her book Soaring on High, Mary Whelchel describes how Mama eagle pulls downy fur from her own breast to prepare a soft, warm and cozy nest for her baby eaglets.  Then … “When a baby eagle is about three months old, and about 80 percent of its full-grown size, Mama and Papa start behaving very strangely.  Mama stomps into the nest, squawking and throwing all the soft fur and feathers out and sweeping the nest with her great wings. With all the softness gone, the nest becomes uncomfortable, with scratchy sticks and branches coming from every

direction.  No longer is it a cushiony place for baby eagle to lie around and relax.”  Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?” (Galatians 3:4).  In contrast to the culture in which we live where we are programmed for instant gratification, there are God-ordained benefits when we accept suffering as part of life.  We endure difficult circumstances, looking ahead, wasting none of the hardship.  The baby eagle has no capacity to look forward to the good as Mama eagle takes away the comforts – neither does a toddler-in-training.  Believers, however, have the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to trust The Father and live in the mind of Christ, seeing

beyond present troubles.  Life may seem “unfeathered” at times, but trust that God never wastes an opportunity for your good and His glory.

Friday, July 8, 2016

Call to Nobility

Gated drives usually get my attention.  They draw both my eyes and my mind to what’s beyond the entrance.   The closest our humble dwelling came to such a thing was when I painted Garfield on the mailbox post!

 

Jesus said in Matthew, “Enter by the narrow gate.” (7:13).  A narrow gate is about as inviting as a long checkout line!  Do we not look for the quick-and-easy!  Jesus went on to say that the “wide gate” is easy, leads to destruction, and it’s crowded.  The way beyond the narrow gate “is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (7:14).  Christ calls His followers to the way less traveled in spite of its difficulties.  “The Christian life is gloriously difficult, but the difficulty of it does not make us faint and cave in, it rouses us up to overcome.” (Oswald Chambers).  The difficult things of life test us, refine us, shape us into a “family likeness to Jesus Christ.”  Some of the most Godly people I know have known great hardship; although they were battered and bruised, they emerged of Noble Descent!  Each one of us were created for nobility!  It happens when we enter by the narrow gate by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the only way – and persevere the fires. Friend, do not miss your call to nobility! 

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

God's Goodness

Mr. Bill says it always rains the most “on pavement.”  I was reminded of that yesterday when we came out of a movie, the pavement was wet.  Oh, how the gardens in our neighborhood could have used that water – seems like such a waste!

 

God is good to everyone – even those who reject Him.  Yes, there is special provision for those who love and revere Him, but He’s good to everyone.  Jesus said God “maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45).  You see, the most hateful of persons toward Almighty God enjoy the sunshine, the rain, the oceans, the starlit nights.  When we consider God’s Goodness, His Goodness is conclusive.  One cannot say “God is good but.”  Such a statement is doomed, destined to be flawed.  We can only say “God is good” – no if’s or “but’s … He is good!  I love how the Puritan stated it in his prayer: “I once lived in the world, but was ignorant of its Creator, was partaker of Thy providences, but knew not the Provider, was blind while enjoying the sunlight, was deaf to all things spiritual with voices all around me, understood many things, but had no knowledge of Thy ways, saw the world but did not see Jesus only.  O happy day, when in Thy love’s sovereignty Thou didst look on me, and call me by grace.”  Even when I was ignorant and blind, God was good and called me by name and by grace.  God is good all the time – All the time God is good.  Jerry Clower probably said it best: “Ain’t God Good!”

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Get Waggin'

It's a good thing when a dog's tail is wagging.  If it's not wagging, he could be mad or vicious.  Some dogs don't have much of a tail, but what's there … wags -- the long or short of it. It’s good advice to … watch for the wag!

 

God wants to hear our praise!  This is news to some Believers ... at least from my seat at the piano.  Some faces suggest there’s no song, no words, no melody.  David incites praise to The Creator, "I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your Name, O Most High." (Psalm 9:1-2)  Every blink of the eye, every inhale & exhale, every sigh, every sniffle, every ache & pain & tear is reason to praise Him.  A grateful heart is an overflowing heart: "My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer." (Psalm 45:1)  Overflowing means "it cannot be contained."  For me, writing is urgent -- my thoughts often cannot be contained; they must be written down.  Does this describe our praise of The Father?  Are our hearts so full [to overflowing]? Can we not contain it? Our tongues should be as busy as the "pen of a ready writer." Do we have it in us?  If so, let's get waggin'!

Monday, July 4, 2016

Licensed to Persevere

There just might not be anything more pesky than a fly.  As best I can tell, no one really knows who invented the flyswatter but that’s one weapon I’m glad I don’t need a license to use!

 

Scripture may not use the word pesky but it clearly speaks to those who will be troublesome to Believers.  In case you haven’t noticed lately, if you identify yourself as Christian and one who believes the Bible, you’re certain to attract attention.  The attention is enough to cause some Christians to be quiet about it!  Now, I’m not advocating being arrogant or obnoxious, but Christians should live unashamedly.  Remember, Jesus’ words, “whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33).  The non-denial of Christ is the root of much persecution of Christians today.  The Greek word “persecute” means to harass and trouble of which Jesus knew all about as He endured much of it.  He doesn’t leave us without confirmation of reward when we associate ourselves with Himself and His Word:  “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12).  There are literally thousands of Christians around the world who lose their lives because they will not deny Christ.  The violence toward Christians may not have come to our shores, but the aggression sure has.  I encourage you to prepare yourself – be armed with the Word of Truth, pray continually, powered by the Holy Spirit – to persevere in these pesky days.  In Christ, be licensed to persevere!