Message of Encouragement
My heartfelt prayers reach out to each and every one of you in the many provinces that are suffering persecution including Gansu, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Sichuan, Ning Xia, Shangxi and more. We share in the burden that you carry as you reach out to bring the Gospel of Jesus to lost souls-- “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16. Your work and dedication on behalf of the Gospel in this harsh environment of persecution, is a holy calling; and may God strengthen you daily as you fulfill the daily challenges that each one of you faces. I wish to share with you all, in the underground Chinese Church, this message on my heart, and I pray that its message of overcoming will be an encouragement.
There are times in all our lives when the earthly and spiritual winds blow negatively against us--even perhaps intensely, violently and vehemently; and we find ourselves in a trial of faith, in a storm of troubles, in a precarious circumstance. Perhaps it is a condition physically with illness or accident, mentally with depression or stress, financially with debt and lack, personally with a relationship or family. Jesus taught us that the storms of life would definitely come on all of us here on earth no matter how good you are, or how bad you are: the obedient and the disobedient—“and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house…” Matthew 7:25. The storms in life will come to every house in one form or another. Sometimes the crisis, situation or condition can be of our own making – a bad decision, a crucial mistake, a human blunder. Or it may be an important trial of your faith allowed by God. This example of the Apostle Paul, who found himself caught on a ship in a catastrophic, evil Typhoon at sea, with all hope seemingly lost ( Acts, chapter 27) , gives us some inspiring, helpful insightand guidance for trying times in our own lives.
Sometimes we can "look back" before the situation developed, and we can recall a feeling of apprehension about a matter or a decision that unfortunately we ignored. Paul warned them that if they sailed the ship that there would be, "much damage, not only of the ship, but also of our lives” (Acts 27:10). But “a soft, south wind blew (Acts 27: 13)"; and the ship master and Roman Centurian Julius interpreted this wind as a favorable sign that the could safely embark on the voyage
But not long after sailing, that "soft, south wind" turned into a monster typhoon of catastrophic proportions. The disaster scene turned into a complete black out, and the winds and waves swept and tossed the ship. All hope seemed to be lost, and nobody had an answer. 246 captive souls were trapped into a situation that was beyond man's ability to control or solve.
They realized that the ship was completely out of human control and efforts were useless in the teeth of a powerful typhoon. But after a long silence, Paul stood forth in the midst of them; and he said, “Sirs, you should have listened to me and not have sailed; but be of good cheer; for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but the loss of the ship.” (Acts 27:21-22). As the dawn came in, Paul told them to eat and be strengthened and that not a hair on their heads would be lost.
As the day dawned, they were still at sea; but suddenly a way when there seemed to be no way opened up in the middle of the sea. They took up the anchors (action step of removing things that hold you back); they loosed the rudder bands; they hoisted up the mainsail (action step of preparation); they committed themselves to the sea; (action step of trust). The ship ran aground, and the back of the ship broke off. They were all able to jump off the ship, and they all escaped safely to land, and no lives were lost. The lesson is to trust God even in the most severe storms of life. We must trust God in the fire—no matter what; because grace will always be there for those of faith.
Psalm 91 Meditations
One of the most inspiring chapters in the Bible is Psalm 91~ wherein God speaks of the “Secret Place of the Most High” –a place of complete security, even under his wings. I wanted to share these great benefits provided by those who abide in Him: “Because you have made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most high, my habitation [my dwelling], there shall no evil befall you or come near your house.”
GOD PROVIDES YOU A FORTRESS:
He that dwells (lives) in the secret place of the most high (God), shall abide (live) under the shadow of the almighty. He shall say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress (protection): my God in Him will I trust. [Action step of TRUST).
GOD SAVES YOU FROM TRAPS:
Surely he shall deliver you from the snare [trap] of the fowler [enemy], and the noise some pestilence [your fallen mind & Satan's input] that walks by night.
GOD COVERS YOU WITH FEATHERS:
He shall cover you with his feathers and under his wings shall you trust: his truth shall be your shield and buckler [truth sets you free and protects and secures you.]
GOD SAVES YOU FROM FEAR:
You shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day, nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that destroys at noontime are [you protected 24/7 day & night]
GOD PROTECTS YOU IN CONFLICT:
A thousand may fall at your side, and then a thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come upon you. Only with your eyes shall you see the reward of the wicked.
GOD SENDS YOU ANGELS:
For he shall give his angels charge over you; they shall bear you up with their hands lest you hit your foot against a stone. They will lift you up and keep you from falling.
GOD EMPOWERS YOU:
You shall tread [walk] on the lion and the adder [snake]; the young lion and the dragon [Satan] you shall trample.
GOD REWARDS YOUR LOVE:
Because you have set your love upon me; therefore will I deliver you; I will set you on high; because he has known my name. [Get it right; it is Jesus]
GOD ANSWERS YOUR CALL:
You shall call upon me, and I will answer you: I will be with you in trouble; I will deliver you and honor you. With long live will I satisfy you and show you my salvation [freedom, peace, restoration].
I pray that this message is a blessing. Sincerely in Jesus, Brother Joseph
Run to the Battle
No soldier or army was ever victorious without courage and confidence. If within the individual, there is not trust, strength, confidence and courage; one may cower in fear in a corner of the battlefield or behind the lines of battle. Even if fully armed, embracing an attitude of fear can be defeating and destructive. Faithlessness causes: despair in soul; fear in heart; doubt in mind; distrust in future; paralysis in battle. Fear can produce a spiritual coward that often results in automatic defeat. "The children of Ephraim, being fully armed (with the whole armor of Christ) turned back (retreated) in the day of battle. (Psalms 78:9). The core of this destructive, fearful attitude is distrust of God. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7)
Doubt and fear are the twin spiritual forces that, if embraced, can take away courage and confidence. Where do we obtain this divine confidence? "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves...but our sufficiency is of God." II Corinthians 3:5. Therefore, we put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision or provide an opportunity for the flesh (Romans 13:14). An attitude of confidence, trust, and fearlessness is perhaps the most contributive tool in battle.
The effective soldier of Christ should be informed with God's Word; empowered with God's Courage; energized with God's Spirit; comforted with God's Grace. Fear is contagious and can spread from one person to another. "What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart" (Deut. 20:8) Fear spreads like a spiritual virus or disease, and Fear must be extinguished by the power of the word of God enjoined by the power if the Holy Spirit. Fear is the evidence of unbelief and doubt, and one who doubts cannot receive anything from God. One cannot obtain victory and peace because of unbelief and doubt.
Young David ran toward the battle with Goliath, the giant. (I Samuel 17:48). On the other hand, the entire army of Israel was fully armed; yet they were cowering in fear, paralyzed in the face of the enemy. David ran to face the battle in faith, confidence and trust. So this confidence is the attitude of every effective soldier. It is not just armor or weapon; victory is achieved because of an attitude of confidence, trust and hope in God. Without Him, we can do nothing (John: 15:5)