Bold for Christ 4

 Losing property

Let me tell you a few real-life stories. One involves a quaint little shop, beloved by many, called Shell Bazaar formerly of Stuart Florida. I love this place. We have been many times. My kids love this place. It was established in 1953 in front of B and A Flea Market. They are no longer there. A couple of years ago, they hung a sign in support of Trump. The landlord, who had nothing to do with the business, told them to take it down and they refused so the landlord threw them out. Forcing them to move to PSL. They are doing great at the new location.

Now some will say good. Good for them. Some would say they deserved it. However, Trump is a Christian. He is God-fearing. A lot of his policies can be found and backed up with the Bible. Is there a coalition?

Let me tell you a story about a little Bakery. Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado, owned by Jack Phillips, was requested to make a wedding cake for a gay couple and he refused. He was sued and forced to close even though many bakeries would do this in that area. They were targeted because they were “Christian.” Now he did win a landmark US Supreme Court case in June. Good news? Yes. However? He is being sued again. Why? He would not make a transfer celebration cake. Why? Because of his faith. He is bold for Christ. He will win this one too.

Chick-fil-A? Well, this company which is owned by evangelical Christians has dared to designate some of its annual charitable giving to churches and church-related organizations that still believe in Orthodox Christianity.

“On March 22, the San Antonio City Council announced with great pride and fanfare it was officially banning Chick-fil-A from doing business in the San Antonio International Airport over what it called the fast-food chain’s “anti-LGBTQ behavior.”

“What was this egregious behavior?” You ask. Was it the refusal to do business with homosexuals? No. There has never been any such claim against Chick-fil-A. In fact, this company has been complimented repeatedly by the LGBTQ community for its gracious, kind, and exemplary customer service. Was it a refusal to hire homosexuals? No. Again, there has never been such an accusation against this company and in fact, Chick-fil-A does not ask about nor discriminate against any employee’s private sexual choices.” {Taken from an opinion piece by Everett Piper, president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, is the author of “Not A Day Care: The Devastating Consequences of Abandoning Truth” (Regnery 2017). Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC. }

Nope. It was simply for not hiding their faith. It was solely because they donated to faith-based organizations. That is it. However, they are a company with a bold owner for Christ, and Chick-fil-A will be just fine.

How about you? We read this.

For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power love, and self-control.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel," 2 Timothy 1:6-10

Who will tell us we cannot do what God calls us to do? I will say that again. Who will tell us we cannot do what God calls us to do? Follow Yeshua, or Jesus as translated. Follow His Word. Follow God and not man. Who are they, on their way to hell for their love of sin and hate of God? Who are they? Who are they that you should fear?

Another real-life example? Memories Pizza, an Indiana pizzeria owned by a Christian family who in 2015 said they wouldn't cater a same-sex wedding if asked, has closed.

This is very possible. This has happened and the anti-Christian movement is growing. What if you get a knock on your door and the landlord says something like, “I can no longer rent to you. You are one of those hate-filled, homophobic, racist, Christians. I do not want to be associated with that so either you sign this paper saying you renounce God and anything “Jesus,” or I’m going to have to ask you to move. Sorry.” What then? Are you going to be bold for Christ? Or will you cave and sign?

God will be with you. Look here in Joshua.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

We are His children. We are His people. Of course, God will be with us wherever we go.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

“But you are talking about losing my business or my very home. What if I just sign the paper and go on serving God?”

This is the same answer people have been giving when asked if they would receive the mark of the beast in the end times. Turn to Revelations 13 verse 16.

"Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead,”

Why?

“so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.” Revelations 13:16-17

You will be able to do nothing. It will be a cashless society and you will be able to get nothing. Food, water, buying or selling. Nothing. Without the Mark. People say yeah whatever, I will get the Mark but I will still love and serve God secretly. This does not work. Sorry.

“Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and the presence of the Lamb.” Revelation 14:9-10

No. You cannot take the Mark and serve God secretly. Read what the angel said again. “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and the presence of the Lamb.” God will not be mocked and He will not be lenient to those who are not bold. Look here, also in Revelations.

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

The first part. “But as for the cowardly,” include anyone taking the mark, anyone who signs a paper denouncing Christ, and anyone who rejects Christ to save themselves. Remember what Jesus tells us.

“And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Think about this. What if you are faced with a choice to either sign or not? Speak or not. Take the mark or not. Why would you? To “find your life.” or to save it. To hide your faith in God out of fear. Yeshua says they will lose their life. But if we do not sign, speak, or take the mark, and we lose our life or anything else for His sake, we will “find” a better and more perfect life in and with Him.

There is no room for cowardness. No room for deceitfulness. No room for indecisiveness. No. God wants us to be bold. What if you do lose a loved one, a business, or a job? Look what Peter said to Jesus and how He responded when Peter said, look, we left everything and followed you. What do we get?

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29

That is what the church is. I may lose my mother because she believes that all this is nonsense, but guess what? I now have many mothers in my church family. I have many brothers and sisters. Mothers and fathers, friends and family. And I will be blessed with options of where to live if I lose my business and or home simply for my faith in God. Why should I fear any of it?

If there were no persecution, there would be no need to be bold. There is. Therefore there will be a time coming, increasingly quickly at that, where you will need to be bold. Will you be? Are you willing to lose your property for Jesus? Just because you believe? What about your freedom? This is what we will be talking about next time.

Are you a child of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Yeshua's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Yeshua, Amen!"

That's it. It is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Yeshua, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Yeshua, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Yeshua is Lord!