Faith Brings Conflict

Did you know that sometimes faith in God gets you in trouble? It does! Here’s a few Biblical examples of what I’m talking about.
• Daniel 6 tells us of how Daniel’s faith in the One True God caused him to defy the kings command not to pray to his God. Daniel prayed, and he ended up in the lion’s den. But, the lions didn’t lay a paw on him!
• Daniel 3 tells us of Shadrack, Meshack, Abednego. Because of their faith in God, these three guys refused to bow down to the statue of the king, and they ended up in the fiery furnace. But they came out just fine, not even the smell of smoke.
• Matthew 4 tells how John the Baptist refused to keep quiet about Herod’s sin. His faith in God caused him to point out the king’s sin. It cost him his head! Of course, that just sent him straight to glory!
• Acts 7 tells how Stephen wouldn’t quit preaching Jesus Christ. Remember what happened to him? He was stoned to death, and again, that just caused him to go straight on to glory!
• And how ‘bout ole Paul? By faith he wouldn’t quit preaching Jesus, and what happened to him? Church tradition says that he was beheaded with a silver sword. I’m not sure what difference it makes that it was a silver sword – he still lost his head! But, again, that just sent him straight on to glory!

I see a trend here. Each of these heroes of the faith ended up in trouble because of their faith. But, each of them would rather die than deny their faith. I believe that they were confident that God would be with them in their trouble.

We can be just as confident today! Our trouble might not be a lion’s den, or a fiery furnace, or being stoned or beheaded. Our faith may only cause us to be ridiculed or made fun of. But even in that, God is right there with us. I’m convinced that God is especially with us when our faith brings about conflict.

Are you certain of His presence today? I hope so.

“Church Is a Privilege”

I held a funeral last week for one of our older ladies. In visiting with her family, I was told how she believed that attending church was a privilege. All throughout the rest of the week and on into the weekend I thought about what she had taught her children – attending church is a privilege.

I must admit, as a small child it was not a privilege for me. It was a requirement, and one that I often tried to get out of. I had very little use for church then, and it wasn’t until I was well into my teen years that church began to feel like anything more than that. I understand now what a privilege it truly is, but I just didn’t “get it” as a child.

So last week and this, I’ve been wondering how many others don’t “get it” yet. I think that once we really understand the price that was paid so that we can gather together and worship God, it’s only then that we “get it.” Jesus Christ, God Himself in the flesh was falsely accused, beaten, put to death on an old rugged cross, buried in a borrowed tomb and rose again on the third day to grant us this privilege of coming to church; of coming together to worship our Heavenly Father.

Yes, my friends, church is a privilege.