A young man being taken by Muslim extremist for execution in North Africa...
his crime- He's a Christian.
STANDING STRONG IN THE LORD
Romans 12:11 (New International Version)
11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
As we consider “Behaving like Christians” let us consider this single short verse in Romans 12:11. It seems straightforward and simple right? If we lack zeal and spiritual fervor while serving the Lord we are taking a chance that we won't be pleasing unto him. If we lack zeal for the things of God while serving Him then we become easily entangled and easily imprisoned by the hindrances that so easily beset us.
The Apostle Paul was a very zealous servant of the Lord, yet the Lord himself had these words for the newly named "Paul".
Acts 9:15-16 (New International Version) 15But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
Sometimes when we suffer we begin to lack zeal and spiritual fervor. The Lord uses the Apostle Paul as an example of how we are to endure suffering as "good soldiers". A good soldier is taught that suffering is part of the process of serving. When a good soldier suffers his zeal is kicked in high gear. When a good soldier suffers his spiritual fervor is elevated while serving the Lord.
There is a little known and little talked about secret that is known fully by those who suffer for the name of Jesus. At M300 Ministries we are called to work in the hardest to reach places on earth and with men who go at the risk of their own blood. These men Valiant Warriors have revealed their secret to not be found lacking in zeal and spiritual fervor while serving the Lord. It may surprise you to find that it is all summed up in a single powerful word, "GRACE".
Yes I know this is not normally what your Sunday School teacher would teach you about grace and it may not be what you would learn about grace from your pastor or minister who may not have had occasion to suffer for the name of Jesus. The grace I am going to share with you is what is learned from those who have been beaten, maligned, kicked, beaten and imprisoned because they dared to name the name of Jesus or to preach the "Good News" to the lost.
1 Peter 5:9-11 (New International Version)
9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
We are called to resist the devil by the name of Jesus and to stand firm in the faith. We are reminded that our brothers around the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. Hold on tight now for verse 10 that says... “the God of all grace... after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast”. God of grace? Yes we serve a God of this kind of grace that restores, makes strong, firm and steadfast. This is the grace that helps us to persevere and the triumph over the enemy. This grace comes not from ourselves but from the God of grace. Remember the Apostle Paul prayed for a thorn in the flesh yet it was not removed God because God said, "My grace is sufficient for you". God's grace is sufficient to help us in our hour of trial, suffering, distress and disease. God's grace is sufficient in all things so allow me to encourage you in this way, Romans 12:11 “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Learn to rely on the God of grace who can restore, make strong, firm and stedfast.
Let me close telling you about my brother and Valiant Warrior Thaung who was only a couple of weeks ago tossed into prison in Myanmar (Burma) for having in his possession Bibles and song books in a restricted area of Myanmar. Prison would have been suffering as he was held there for three days without his family or anyone else knowing his whereabouts but what was a great suffering came about when God told him to preach to the police, prison guards and the other prisoners. Brother Thuang felt God's Spirit telling him to preach so he began to preach. Shortly thereafter he was made to stand in place as the police beat him savagely. He took the beating and kept preaching. He was severely beaten on three occasions so that he could not even sit down. He told me that with each beating he found more grace to preach. God gave him more grace to preach to the police, prison guards and prisoners. How can this be? It is a God thing that helps us to persevere with zeal and fervor while serving the Lord. In this instance 5 prison guards received the Lord and were saved. Brother Thuang who is a native self supported minister said that he shortly realized that in that instance of time this is what God wanted of him. That in this instance of time no one else was called to preach the gospel in that place under those conditions and men were saved by God's grace.
This kind of grace is the same grace that gives brother Thuang a goal and a purpose to return to that prison in the near future to pray for and share the Good News with the very men who beat him. He says, "They knew not what they were doing. They were told to beat me and it was there job so I forgive them. I want to share Jesus with them." It brings this final passage to mind...
John 1:16 (New International Version)
16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
From "THE FULLNESS OF HIS GRACE". It is my hope today that you have learned a bit more about God's grace and how the fullness of His grace can be yours. Life can at times seem like a long drawn out game of Monopoly where we buy, barter, mortgage, build houses, hotels and the like but when you taste of the fullness of His grace you will be able to serve Him continually with zeal and fervor.
Pray this prayer: "Lord forgive us if we do not please you by serving you with zeal and fervor. We know that this is what pleases you today we make it our prayer to live a life worthy of your calling in whatever circumstance we may find ourselves. Lord we know that Jesus himself was consumed with zeal as we read in this passage: "
Isaiah 9:7
7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
Lord we pray that by your zeal and your grace we can accomplish your will on earth as it is done in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen.
To read more about Pastor Thuang's time in jail use these two links: (He has 25 orphans who live with himself, his wife and 2 children. He has no outside support and grows mushrooms to sustain himself as he preaches in the military ruled country of Myanmar) Consider helping him.
