Suffering Biblically: For His glory...

**reposted from my blog on http://mleduffey.weebly.com, 10/16/2010**

Today I attended a F.O.C.I.S. seminar (Find Out Christ Is Sufficient) on "Suffering Biblically." While a LOT of excellent material was presented, a particular part of it jumped out at me. The speaker was going over the purpose of suffering, and how it identifies us with Christ. She brought up how Paul and the other apostles suffered for righteousness sake in the desire to spread the message of Jesus Christ. As I turned the page in the notebook of material we were given, statistics from Voice of the Martyrs were presented. To quote from the notebook, "People of faith all over the world suffer today because of their love for Jesus Christ, risking their own lives for the promotion of the gospel." A list of 48 countries followed, representing the countries where Christians suffer for Christ. The 11th country listed was Morocco--the country closest to Spain in North Africa (connected by the Straight of Gibraltar) and the country that the ministry in Malaga directly ministers. Lord willing, I will go into Morocco for a day and see this country for myself. The thought of stepping foot into this country as a visitor, a tourist, free to enter and exit with the privilege of American citizenship, amazes me. The reality that my faith, the very reason why I am going to go on this trip, is enough of a reason for the government of this country to deny my admittance in or make my departure from it occur rather hastily, astonishes me. The fact that those who live in Morocco and convert from Islam to Christianity are persecuted severely for following the same Savior I do leaves me shocked and humbled beyond belief. They are abandoned by friends and family, beaten, mocked, and even their lives taken for calling Jesus Christ the Lord, the only God to be adored. Their conversion is not like how conversion is presented in America. Here, we are told of the good news--and we look around at all we have, the wealth, the resources--and the news doesn't seem that great, really. We have time--live life now, come to Christ later, after we've had our fun. We are called upon to forsake little. Our family may think we've lost it, but generally do not care about what religious decisions we make. Sometimes Christians here are called nuts, crazy, or pathetic for their beliefs--but for an American to be killed by another American for being a Christian outrages the country. In Morocco, it is praiseworthy to rid the country of another Christian.

When I was in college at MU the pastor of the church I attended penned another verse to a popular song, "Sanctuary." To the best of my memory, I will include it here (admitting the failings of my memory over the past several years!):
Lord prepare me
to be a missionary
always ready
to do Your will
by Your biding
I'll be a living
missionary
for You

This same pastor also explained how he once went on a missions trip to a country where he had to sign a waiver releasing the United States government from responsibility to come and rescue him were he taken captive while in this country. He literally signed the rights to his citizenship away to go spread the gospel in this country. Would I be as eager to go into Morocco if I were required to sign a form absolving the American government of coming to my rescue if I get into trouble while in Morocco? Would I be willing to risk this life God has given me and willingly walk into a country whose very government is hostile to the very faith I believe in? Am I willing to suffer for the cause of Christ in this way? The reality of me suffering for the cause of Christ as a visitor for a day in Morocco is pretty slim to non-existent, to be honest. But for those who live in this country every day--for those who cross the borders bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to the very people who desire to kill Christians--is a daily reality. It is not a story in a book; it is not past, archaic history. It is today; it is living, breathing, evil. It is real. Pray for the church in Morocco, in Northern Africa--pray for the persecuted church worldwide. Today you can walk out the door and praise Jesus, going about your day singing His praises--this may not always be true. Enjoy the freedom you now possess--and pray for those who dare not utter the name of Jesus aloud but praise them in their hearts.

1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled.

1 Peter 5:6-10
Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer ,or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

Luke 6:22
Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.

Ron's Service

My Uncle Ron passed away on the 14th--his funeral was Monday. As we arrived at the church where the funeral services were to be held, we were all getting a little bit testy--I was called a few choice names about three times before the hour drive was over, for example. Ouch. I think we were all a little more stressed over what was coming than any of us dare share.

I walked into the church and immediately ran into my cousin, Mike--Ron's son. We haven't seen each other in a while. He immediately pulled a picture out of his pocket and handed it to me... I took one look at it and began to bawl like a baby. Ron was very special to me--he played a very important role in my life. Between Ron and my Uncle Darrell I had a father growing up. These two men made my life livable as a child. They provided for me, cared for me, helped my mom out with me in the areas my dad simply was not there. I will miss him greatly.

My family has a myriad of opinions when it comes to God and religion. I've always been pretty alone and isolated in the evangelical Christian camp--my family starts to foam at the mouth and all but scream when the words "southern baptist" are uttered. (slight exaggeration, but the gist is there... they are not a fan).

The funeral was at a non-denominational Bible church. I didn't have high hopes for anything great from the funeral insofar as the gospel being proclaimed or anything to that nature. I was incredibly WRONG. They started out with a guy singing, "Mighty to Save" which I sang right along with him (more like whispered along with him… my voice isn't so strong right now!). Two people stood up and gave very eloquent and sweet memories of my uncle--a former coworker and the wife of the man who introduced my uncle to Carol, my aunt. The preacher stood back up at the end and read a note from Carol to Ron, and then one from Mike to Ron. It was from Mike's message the sermon was based. In this sermon it started to sound like the typical promise of the recently departed being in the presence of Jesus without any proof to support it. Then, to my utter shock, the proof was given--the man actually confirmed my uncle had placed his faith in Jesus Christ, and based upon that profession of faith, was in the presence of God, in heaven. My tears changed at that point--from grief to shock, and as the preacher continued to speak, to absolute relief and praise. Could it really be true? Could my uncle truly be a believer in the same Lord and Savior I worship? The gospel was explained, clearly, to all who were listening. There was everything minus an altar call.

After the service the church had prepared a lunch for the family and close friends. It was nice to sit and catch up with everyone. I've missed these people. After everything was over and done a few of us went out to Mike and Lynette's house. Lynette had this sheet hanging on her fridge--I don't remember it clearly, but the name "Beth Moore" stood out loud and clear. I was reading through it when Mike walked by me--I pointed at the sheet and nonchalantly said, "Mike, I think we may have something in common here." He looked at the sheet, looked at me, and said, "Really?" I've not seen him grin like that in a long time. We stood there and talked, and it was made very clear that both Mike and Lynette have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Mike confirmed what I already suspected (yet it still put me in tears to hear it again): Ron had a relationship with Christ. At one point Mike asked him, "Dad, who's your Savior?" to which Ron solidly replied, "Jesus Christ!". It was hard to not openly bawl AGAIN over hearing this news.

At the end of the service we sang a song that is most precious to me: Amazing Grace. It took on a new flavor of sweetness as we sang it this time:
Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound<
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now am found
Was blind, but now, I see...

scats-iated...

I have had a lot of time to think lately... losing your voice gives you nothing but time to think when you can't talk!! I've been thinking a lot in general as of late. I do think that too much thinking can be hazardous to your health... as one blog writer put it, it can lead to morbidity. I have pondered upon that phrase... wondering why self-introspection and reflection can lead to such a state, so easily, and so often. I've been challenged a lot lately, not about thinking too much (in fact, encouraged to think more, even!), but rather about how I think. I never realized how much I think about myself, what I want, what I think, how things will impact me, what it has to do with me... me me me me me.... yuk yuk yuk yuk yuk!! how self-centered!!! I'm thankful for the second (and sometimes third, and fourth, and fifth, and... yeah, you get the picture) chances to make things better and align my life with God's standards. Well, at least try... this side of heaven, I'm pretty sure I'll consistently fail, but at least that means I always have a goal toward which to aspire! Yet, I still have this huge mountain to climb... at least I'm not climbing all on my own...

Rom 8:31 NASB - What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?