Obedience to God no Matter What!

When God compels us to do something He has a reason even if we don't understand. Obeying Him will always be the best for us as born again believers.

Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose".

Perhaps this year we will trust Christ more with each passing day. Even through our tears, He is there, through our victories He is there and no one can take our relationship with Him away from us.

Paul the Apostle was arrested, imprisoned, and beaten many times. He was also accused in lawsuits, interrogated, and ridiculed. He was shipwrecked and adrift at sea for a day and a night. He was in danger from many sources, including rivers, bandits, Jews, Gentiles, false believers, and robbers. He often went without sleep, food and water. He was cold and naked. He suffered from deep concern about the state of the churches. He had a disagreement with Barnabas and parted ways with him.

Have any of us gone through as much as Paul did? My guess is that like me, most believers have encountered emotional pains but nothing like that of Paul, and at the end of his life he was beheaded.

Here is what Paul said at the end of his life knowing he was going to be killed:

2 Timothy 4:6-8 "6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."

Judas: Betrayed Jesus and then hanged himself.

Peter: Crucified upside down in Rome at his request.

Paul: Beheaded in Rome under Emperor Nero.

John: Survived being boiled in oil in Rome and is commonly believed to have died of natural causes.

Andrew: Crucified on an X-shaped cross in Greece.

Matthew: Martyred in Ethiopia by a sword wound.

Mark: Dragged through the streets by horses in Alexandria, Egypt.

Luke: Hanged in Greece for his fervent preaching.

Bartholomew: Flayed alive in Armenia.

Thomas: Impaled in India with a spear.

Simon the Zealot: Reportedly martyred at an old age.

Jude: Killed with arrows for refusing to renounce his faith. (AI)

Would a born-again believer today be able to maintain their faith under the circumstances Paul endured? The answer is YES, God would give a believer what they need when they need it.

It is wonderful and amazing that Christ in us is ready to be our strength.

Philippians 4:13

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength"

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'"

Psalm 28:7

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me"

Isaiah 40:31

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk"

Wow, really puts our heartaches at being emotionally rejected by the family into perspective, doesn't it?

May we look to Christ and thank Him that we have not been called to suffer as the apostles and others who have been martyred. Our emotional trials are small in comparison.

There is a special reward for those who have been martyred for Christ and if it comes we praise God, if it does not come praise Him for safety. Praise Him no matter what we go through. Hallelujah!!!!