Up in the Air

Things are all up in the air. And of course, we usually say this phrase with uncertainty and dismay- and the dismay comes generally because of the uncertainty of a potentially bad situation. We like to have that control and certainty- it's very hard sometimes to live in uncertainty- particularly since we know the prince of the power of the air that we once trembled under still works to seek us woe. (Ephesians 2:2) But the prince of darkness grim- we tremble not for him. One little word will fell him.
    Instead, we look to The Lord who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and rules over all. And when we leave things up in the air, it's an act of trust because we know it's really in The Lord's hands. And it's in the air that we meet The Lord by faith. (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
       So while we don't want to put on airs, we do want to air not on the side of caution, but air on the side of reckless abandon in the Creator of air and everything else. I keep trusting Him from here and now all the way through when I cross the air Jordan- and beyond. :-)

Die Here or Recant (song)

In keeping with the theme of persecution in my last post, this song seemed appropriate. Some may doubt the reality of what feels like the year of attacks on Christian faith at times but that may be because they are viewing the world through an American lens. Even the USA and North America in general are experiencing a number of subtle (and some not-so-subtle) acts of persecution and affronts to the faith. The degree is not nearly to the level that brothers and sisters in The Lord face the world over, particularly in China and Middle Eastern countries. That doesn't mean that North America and the Western world will be spared persecution that involves not only loss of rights and freedom but maybe even to the point of death. And as we face such things in the body of Christ, though no one necessarily wants to face that, we know that the weight of glory is worth more and weighs more than any of our light and momentary sufferings. I'll steward God's grace and blessings well enough; I must also steward the trials and persecutions He allows to come. If it comes down to the government vs. God, I choose God above all. Thus, when the choice is to die here or recant, go tell Nero I can't. To live is Christ and to die is gain! (Philippians 1:21)


"Die Here or Recant"
(parody of "Year of the Cat" by Al Stewart; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 9/7/2018)
(Matthew 10:26-33, Matthew 24:4-14, John 15:18-27 and 16:1-4, Proverbs 28:1, Acts 1-12, Acts 5:29, Romans 8, Hebrews 11:32-40, Philippians 1:21, Philippians 3, Revelation 2:10-11, Revelation 5:9-11, Revelation 14:12-13, Revelation 20-22)

With a warning from a bogus jury
In a council that says, "Don't preach Christ"
You go scrolling through Acts now for Pete's retort
In Acts 5:29
Lord God raised up The Son that you killed by hanging (on the cross)
God our Father over men obey!
Our Father gave our Lord exaltation
We must tell you in His Name
That we fear God, not man
"They will not give up Christ!" - "Arrest them!"
But we've locked up behind bars before
And The Lord's angel opened doors of the prison
(They) completely disappeared
It's a futile cause; they're at temple walls
There's no prison door they fear, you dudes
We'll take that Gamaliel's advice
Just like the wicked run but these dudes
(Are) Bagheera the cat!
Signs and wonders, dude- so cool, Steve!
They tell lies that cite the dude's blaspheming!
He wants forgiveness for bad jury
When they stone him- if it's forsake Him for life
To adhere I just can't
More mourning comes when James' killed after
And Jesus said persecutions (would) come!
It won't go away- His voice or cross or mission
So we have to hold on
Until trumpet sounds and in The Light remain!
And the minute persecutors say
"Avow Lord Christ or now go meet Him!"
To live is Christ (and) die is gain!
So tell Nero I can't
There's no recant
.................................................

A Call for Endurance

"Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what The Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death." (Revelation 2:10-11)

"Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from Heaven saying, 'Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in The Lord from now on.' 'Blessed indeed,' says The Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!' " (Revelation 14:12-13)

Let us keep praying for the Iraqi saints and followers of Christ all over the world who are facing such tribulation and persecution that they would be faithful to Jesus no matter what and that they would keep loving their enemies, praying for them, speaking The Truth in Love, and faithfully obeying Jesus. And may we all heed the call to be faithful to Jesus and endure no matter what may come. The temporal life and its pains are temporary, but the celestial life and its joys are eternal. And let's keep praying for those who are so opposed to Jesus who need to know that He loves them too and only wants them to repent, trust Him and live.

The Scriptures here and the situation going on with the persecuted church around the world made me think of a very spiritually true and sound line from "The Dark Knight"- "What would you have me do?"- Bruce Wayne/Batman.... "Endure."- Alfred Pennyworth...... It's just as Jesus said in Matthew 24:13-14, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." ..... So, as Matthew 24:44-46 tell us, "Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over the household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes."   Note that the passage clearly tells us that the Son of Man is coming at a time we don't expect-therefore, we must be ready. Ready-not standing around speculating on His return or just bemoaning the state of the world and wringing our hands. We also can't be disinterested bystanders sitting back comfortable in our faith and waiting for our sweet chariot to swing low and take us home. We should be a faithful and wise servant of The Master-we have been set over His household as members of the body of Christ and we are to work together to care for His body and give food to His household at the proper time. This of course includes all of His domain-the whole earth and universe. Speak The Gospel Truth-the Words of Life to edify the church and to throw out the lifeline to resuce the perishing. We must be faithful in obeying Jesus and sharing His love with others that they might come to salvation too. And until Christ does come, we must be the face of His Love on the earth and His agents of change to help keep the peace and show grace and mercy and love to a lost and cold, uncaring world. Keep looking up, for our redemption draweth nigh-in His time, which may or may not be in our lifetime (we don't know and don't need to know and don't need to worry about trying to know)- and keep enduring and being faithful. And don't worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Be faithful with what God has given you today.