Fix Our Eyes

March 2023

Dear Friends,

As we witness these prophetic last days unfolding before our very eyes, persecution against Christians in America is becoming ever more egregious and intense. As open discrimination of Christians grows, believers will increasingly become mocked, rejected, canceled, isolated and disdained. We will be denied employment and educational opportunities – suffer abuse, injustice, and slander. Christians will be scapegoated and branded as purveyors of hate and disunity throughout our society. The enemies of God are determined to erase the name of Jesus from our media, the workplace and the public square. We will be socially ostracized and even terminated from our jobs for using the precious name of Jesus. Paul writes to his spiritual son, Timothy:

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings – what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it. ~2 Timothy 3:10-14

Paul affirms that, though he faced many persecutions, the Lord delivered him from them all – each believer should expect the same.

To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. ~1 Corinthians 4:11-15

…I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ~Luke 6:27-28

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ~Romans 12:17-21

In ancient Egyptian customs, one who had committed evil would carry a vessel of burning coals on his head as a sign of repentance. When we do good to an enemy conviction may result, leading him to repentance. Similarly, a prominent church father, Augustine, held that “coals of fire” would cause the enemy to experience shame upon being shown kindness – this would lead him to repentance and reconciliation.

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. ~2 Cor 4:6-11

In the midst of suffering and persecution for our faith, we will behold God’s love, grace and power to sustain us every step of the way!

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.” ~John 15:18-21

Paul reveals how a servant of Christ ought to respond to persecution and mistreatment. There is an urgent need for guardians in the faith. Presently, spiritual fathers and mothers are desperately needed in the Body of Christ to encourage, equip, strengthen and prepare the next generation of spiritual leaders to navigate through a hostile world, while revealing and glorifying Jesus Christ.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ~Matthew 5:10-12

We are witnessing an unprecedented demonic onslaught in the world today. The Evil One is presently on a rampage to destroy as many lives as possible – he knows his time is short. Our response to those who are hostile to the Gospel is to “act” according to the Word of God, rather than “react” according to the flesh. This is a great witness to the world – proving that though we are “in” the world but are not “of” the world!

The Evil One is sending many distractions through our culture. Our English word, “distraction” derives from two Latin words, meaning “to pull apart or separate” and “to draw in different directions.”

The world system is pulling us apart in different directions, thereby tempting us to take our eyes off of Jesus. The Devil’s distractions are meant to draw our focus and attention away from Christ and on to the problems or needs surrounding us. We must be careful to guard against magnifying the problems rather than magnifying the Lord. So, how do we resist the wiles of the Adversary? We prioritize the Kingdom of God and look to the Lord for guidance, wisdom and direction!

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ~Matthew 6:33

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~Hebrews 12:2

When we fix our eyes upon our great and mighty God, our troubles diminish. As He increases, our hope and faith will overcome! To God be the glory!

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~1 Corinthians 15:57

May the Lord bless you richly,

Pastor Paul