They all laughed at Jesus too !

[Mike]

MATTHEW 9:24 KJV

24 - He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but
sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

Do others think you are crazy for being a follower of Jesus? Do
they think you are too extreme for believing the Bible
literally? Well, don't feel lonely. Jesus faced the same type
of problems. As we see in Matthew 9:24, sometimes people
derided Jesus. They did not just laugh at Him , they laughed
Him to scorn. They made a big deal out of it.

It is the same today. When we believe what Jesus said, there
may be times when others think we are crazy. They may laugh at
us. They may even mock us for believing God's Word. That is
nothing new. But why should you let it affect you?

Often we are too concerned about what other people think. After
all, they are not our Judge. Nor are they our Provider. But God
is, and we should care what He thinks. That was the stance that
Jesus took. We all have our own part in the Kingdom .

We must remember that we are not in a popularity contest.
Some will sit by and silently watch another belliever take
the heat just so they can preserve
their own live's and good guy reputations . The covenants of
brotherhood mean nothing to them .

They hide behind a cowardice Spirit . But the word of God
is a two edged sword , cutting through mens reputations .

Let me assure you that all of us have sinned this way at times
but praise be to God who renews our strength and brings about
a boldness in our Spirit to restore our love for each other through
the work at the cross for the forgivness of all people .

Yes, to some people the message we have to share will be
received with gladness and thankfulness. I am sure the parents
of the girl Jesus raised from the dead , after He was laughed to
scorn , were glad. But to others we are often not understood.

That really is the root of the problem. People are in darkness.
Some do not understand what is really happening. Many don't
understand there is a spiritual side of life. They do not
understand that the words we speak are important and carry
authority. They do not understand that with faith in God,
nothing is impossible. And people generally mistrust what they
do not understand.

So we must walk in Wisdom and be patient with people, knowing
that they are in darkness , but someday we all will see the
light. If we continue to walk in the light ourselves, we can be
the means of God's light beginning to shine into their lives
and bring understanding.

We should choose to believe the Word of God regardless of
what other people think. We are believer's, not a doubter's.

May the peace of God rest upon all who serve the Lord and may their hearts be strengthened in the face of all adversity . Mike

 

[Jesuslovesu]

Amen Brother Amen! Hey my family thinks I am a total nut job lol well l more like extended family... well and the ones who are not walking in truth!

 

[scrappy]

mike

thank you for posting such an inspiring thread

for a long time i used to walk with anger and resentment towards my fellow man for the words they could and did throw at me. this used to get me down and leave me wanting to argue with them and start quoting scripture back at them, something i have to admit i have done on more than a few occasions.

i have found for myself the best answer to these people and their critique of my walk with God, something that always left me flabbergasted was being judged by someone who is self professed as anti the ways of Christ. the best answer i have found is to thank them, yes thank them; for it leaves them open mouthed and with very little to add to the arguement they are looking for.

i always remember the words of Jesus at these times

Luke 6:22-23
blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in Heaven."

thank the person for blessing you in ways that they cannot understand
thank our Lord for blessing us in ways we cannot comprehend

live the life decreed for yourself
love the Lord our God with all of our lives, in everything we say and do
trust in the Lord that He will bring us home to His kingdom

God bless

scrappy

 

[Addy]

Yes, you are right, it is difficult to be "Different" but we just remember we answer to a MUCH huigher authority than those who look skeptically at us. We are CALLED to "Come ye out from among them and be ye separate." In fact, if there ISN'T a big difference between us and the world, something is defintely wrong! They should be able to look at us and say, "That person is different, lives by different standards, but they have something that I want."

 

[Jonah2005]

That was awesome! Mike. It also brought a scripture to my mind.

Ezekiel 3:1-11
1. Moreover He said to me, "Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.''
2. So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll.
3. And He said to me, "Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.'' So I ate it, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness.
4. And He said to me: "Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them.
5. "For you are not sent to a people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, but to the house of Israel,
6. "not to many people of unfamiliar speech and of hard language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely, had I sent you to them, they would have listened to you.
7. "But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted.
8. "Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads.
9. "Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.''
10. Moreover He said to me: "Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears.
11. "And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, `Thus says the Lord God,' whether they hear, or whether they refuse.''

 

[To Christ]

MATTHEW 9:24 KJV

24 - He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but
sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

Do others think you are crazy for being a follower of Jesus? Do
they think you are too extreme for believing the Bible
literally? Well, don't feel lonely. Jesus faced the same type
of problems. As we see in Matthew 9:24, sometimes people
derided Jesus. They did not just laugh at Him , they laughed
Him to scorn. They made a big deal out of it.

It is the same today. When we believe what Jesus said, there
may be times when others think we are crazy. They may laugh at
us. They may even mock us for believing God's Word. That is
nothing new. But why should you let it affect you?

Often we are too concerned about what other people think. After
all, they are not our Judge. Nor are they our Provider. But God
is, and we should care what He thinks. That was the stance that
Jesus took. We all have our own part in the Kingdom .

We must remember that we are not in a popularity contest.
Some will sit by and silently watch another belliever take
the heat just so they can preserve
their own live's and good guy reputations . The covenants of
brotherhood mean nothing to them .

They hide behind a cowardice Spirit . But the word of God
is a two edged sword , cutting through mens reputations .

Let me assure you that all of us have sinned this way at times
but praise be to God who renews our strength and brings about
a boldness in our Spirit to restore our love for each other through
the work at the cross for the forgivness of all people .

Yes, to some people the message we have to share will be
received with gladness and thankfulness. I am sure the parents
of the girl Jesus raised from the dead , after He was laughed to
scorn , were glad. But to others we are often not understood.

That really is the root of the problem. People are in darkness.
Some do not understand what is really happening. Many don't
understand there is a spiritual side of life. They do not
understand that the words we speak are important and carry
authority. They do not understand that with faith in God,
nothing is impossible. And people generally mistrust what they
do not understand.

So we must walk in Wisdom and be patient with people, knowing
that they are in darkness , but someday we all will see the
light. If we continue to walk in the light ourselves, we can be
the means of God's light beginning to shine into their lives
and bring understanding.

We should choose to believe the Word of God regardless of
what other people think. We are believer's, not a doubter's.

May the peace of God rest upon all who serve the Lord and may their hearts be strengthened in the face of all adversity . Mike

BROTHERSINARMST4G, this is an amazing thread in the life of the Spirit! It is blessedly humbling to read your wisdom. If yesterday I could not see with enough understanding to hear what you say, Mike, today I understand a little more. And the substance within what you write builds for tomorrow. This brings home how each day brings a new start in Jesus. I want nothing less than to go out with courage and confidence for Him.



:lightning

 

[sunshine307]

Amen brother Mike. In this day and age it is a privilege to be laughed at for the sake of Christ. What does it matter what other people think? After all it is God we will answer to one day, not other people.

 

[stephen]

If I gained the world, but not the Saviour,
Were my life worth living for a day?
Could my yearning heart find rest and comfort
In the things that soon must pass away?
If I gained the world but not the Saviour,
Would my gain be worth the life long strife?
Are all earthly pleasures worth comparing
For a moment with a Christ Filled life?

 

[charity777]

Right on time brother

Amen, for we know when "they shall SEPERATE you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your NAME AS EVIL for the Son of man's sake." (Luke 6:22) Yes thats right we need to be HAPPY for we know if they don't want us around them-the mighty SPIRIT that dwelleth is taking over, amen. It's all spiritual. I like your statement "the words we speak are spirit and authority" I am a firm believer when I speak the word it's done.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

It is a hard teaching for people to understand, but God has known for all time who is going to be saved and who isn't. Check Romans 8:29-30. "For those God foreknew (knew in advance), He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son (to become like Jesus)... And those He predestined, He also called. Those He called, He also justified; Those He justified, He also glorified."

If we are fully committed to serving God, He will put people in front of us who are in the process of coming to salvation. We do not have to go looking for them. We do, however, have to keep our discernment eyes open to recognize what God is doing when these people come into our lives.

As far as I am concerned, the guys that God has put in front of me to mentor are the most important people in my life, spiritually speaking and myu life is centered on God, my family , and the guys I mentor. I don't allow myself to get consumed by the negative things other people outside that group think or say about me. I keep my focus on Jesus and I depend on Him to protect my back.


SLE

 

[Chad]

I'm a little late but this is an excellent encouraging thread. Thanks brother Mike.

I get the "look" from people (the annoyed look on their face) when I preach to them. I understand how they feel and do not condemn them nor think less of them because of their natural response. I remember that Christ Jesus was persecuted right to the Cross. I'm just a servant and will take any persecution that comes by me. The toughest ones to deal with are those who basically mock Jesus right off the bat. I have no patience for that kind but again, these are lost souls the same as those who do not mock Jesus.

John 15:20
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

 

[constantOne]

Very well said Mike. ^_^ People at my school consider me a crazed religious fanatic. I got into a big debate with one of my classmates about Christianity a few days ago, and he cursed God then went on to laugh at me with other people about my beliefs. I'm continueing to pray for him.
His current username on MSN is "God, save me from your followers! - not meant to offend anyone.....unless you plaster people with your religion." I know he's directing that at me and me alone. I feel good about it though. I'm a proud follower of Jesus and no matter what anyone says, they can't sway me. I love my Jesus more than they'll ever understand, and He loves me too. He loves us all. :star:
If you're facing persecution, just remember Jesus is right there with you the whole way. He'll never leave you or forsake you.

 

[sunshine307]

Amen constantOne. Keep on witnessing for God. Jesus was persecuted too. Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."