It's been a long time since I have blogged, and there's a good reason for that. I have been extremely stagnant in my faith the past two years. I started this blog in February 2011, winter of my sophomore year of college. I decided to blog because I wanted to share what the LORD had been teaching me through the studying of Scripture, and through experiences in college.
God drew me to my knees in college through the game of golf. I attended Oklahoma Christian University where I was on the men's golf team. I expected to improve as a golfer while attending Oklahoma Christian, but I did quite the opposite. My confidence was rattled early freshman year, and my golf game tanked. My golf game never really returned while in college. During this time I questioned why God would lead me to a small school in Central Oklahoma, only to strip away the one thing that led me there. I began diving into Scripture searching for answers. It was during this time in the "desert" that my faith began to quickly grow. As my faith continued to grow, so did my desire to share with others what God had been teaching me through His word. In the spring of my junior year I felt the LORD leading me away from college golf. God graciously provided me with an accounting internship in Oklahoma City beginning May 2012. This is about the time when my blog posts ceased.
Like I said earlier, I have been extremely stagnant in my faith the past two years. Honestly, life has been really comfortable. I haven't had to worry about bad golf, and every day has been pretty routine. I now work full-time for the same company I interned for my senior year of college, and I am very thankful for that opportunity. With life being so routine, it's been easy to think I have everything figured out. Unfortunately, that self-reliance has taken away my reliance on God. The past two years I have not studied God's word, and I have not been in communication with him through prayer. As a result of not growing in my faith, I have not felt led to blog. Thus, the two year hiatus from blogging. Realizing how stagnant I have become in my faith, I decided to get involved in a Bible study. A study that would force me to dig deep in God's word.
I talked to my parents and they highly recommended Bible Study Fellowship (bsfinternational.org). My mom says it's the best Bible study she has ever done. I looked up BSF in Oklahoma City, and went to my first class two weeks ago. The study this year is "The Life of Moses." I'm only two weeks in, and I have learned so much. James 4:8 has become very evident in my life. The verse reads, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you..." My first three years of college I was committed to studying Scripture and praying. I grew so much in my faith during this time. Once life became easier two years ago, I didn't see a need to pursue those things as much... or at all. And as a result, I haven't felt very near to God. In my heart I knew I should be pursuing Christ on a daily basis, but my actions proved otherwise. Dust began to collect on the Bibles scattered throughout my apartment. As a result, sin became (and has become) more evident in my life.
The past two weeks have been encouraging though. I have opened Scripture, praying God would open my eyes to see the truths found in his word. God has not been shy in revealing those truths. By drawing near to God once more, he has revealed himself to me in numerous ways. James 4:8 is so true.
Blog Post
The title of this blog post is, "Benefits of Persecution." One of my morning routines at work is to check CNN's website and get caught-up on news. Obviously, there has been a lot of news surrounding ISIS. It is absolutely sickening to hear and see the brutality of this group. Among those being killed are christians in Syria and Iraq. However, Christianity continues to spread. There are reports that many muslims in Syria are turning to Jesus. They are tired of the laws of Islam and the brutality of ISIS and al-Qaeda. Their eyes have been opened to see the freedom that is found in the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Another story that has caught my eye is the persecution of Christians in China. The communist government is committed to removing crosses that sit atop churches. Church members are being tortured for their faith in Christ. However, Christianity continues to spread. If you watch the short CNN video in the link below, you will see Christians are expected to outnumber the communist party in approximately 15 years.
(http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/15/world/asia/china-christians-church/)
In BSF we have been studying Exodus 1:1 through Exodus 2:10. The BSF notes have provided background to the text as well. In Exodus chapter 1 we learn the Israelites make their way to Egypt (this is due to a famine in their land). While in Egypt, the Israelites begin to multiply. Pharaoh feels threatened by the increasing number, so he sets taskmasters over the Israelites to "afflict them with heavy burdens." However, this does not solve the problem. Exodus 1:12 reads, "But the more they (Israelites) were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel." Here we see God's chosen people being persecuted, yet they continue to grow in number.
Then I started thinking about Jesus' time. After Jesus was crucified, the early church was heavily persecuted in the 1st Century. Many of the 12 disciples were killed for their faith in Jesus as Messiah. However, Christianity continued to spread.
The Holy Spirit opened my eyes to see that the persecution of God's people has occurred throughout history. Yet, the gospel continues to spread.
Below is a simple timeline depicting this truth...
- Egypt's mistreatment and killing of the Israelites (roughly 1875 B.C. through 1445 B.C.)
- Result: God's people increase in number
- The Roman Empire persecuting and killing Christians (1st Century)
- Result: God's people increase in number
- ISIS, al-Qaeda, China, North Korea, etc. persecuting and killing Christians (present day)
- Result: God's people increase in number
Throughout history God's people have been heavily persecuted. This will continue to happen until Christ's return. The beautiful thing is that God's eternal Kingdom continues to grow. The more God's people are persecuted, the quicker the gospel spreads. This is reason to celebrate. Yes, it is absolutely devastating to see the persecution of so many, however, there is a greater reward for those who hold strong to the faith.
I'll end with Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:11,12...
"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."
