"Gaining in Pain"

  I'm going to be a little more personal today. As hard as it may be to believe, some people just don't want or care about the truth. It ranges from personal situations to Biblical teachings. There are those who can look good to others but they simply care little about the truth. Their refusal to seek the whole truth reveals they don't want to seek truth. They seek just what suits their motives at the moment.

  Jesus had to live through it when He was arrested and ultimately killed because false testimony was given in order to carry out the hatefulness of mankind. Jesus was accused as this hateful man, this schemer trying to lead people astray. What did He do? "And while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously." (I Pet. 2:23)

  There are those in the body of Christ that want to rule, want things their way and when they feel they have not been heard or their requests ignored (which in a nut shell means they were told 'no' and didn't like it), they will turn on the eldership or those that did not accept their push! John called a man named Diotrephes evil as this man tried to run things and anyone who followed the truth of the apostles teachings, he took it upon himself to put the out of the church (III John). To top it off, it says he "unjustly" accused the apostles with wicked words. Can you imagine?

  Today we should not be surprised when people rise up and do the same. They are unhappy and discontent for some reason and in order to look righteous, they attack trying to make those of the truth look as badly as possible! Truth is not part of their makeup or desires. Don't be discouraged! Don't allow those who act in such ways with little desire for what is really truthful to affect your thinking. The Lord is in control. As Paul encouraged Timothy to watch out for Alexander the coppersmith, Paul said: "the Lord will repay him according to his deeds." (II Tim. 4:14) The Lord knows well. Be strong! Be encouraged! Know that whenever you feel under attack from someone who cares little for the truth, the Lord is aware and He will defend you. When we are weak, we are strong...that's a promise from heaven. My dear friends and brothers in Texas (and anyone else who might be going through unjust accusations), yes, this is for you today... don't quit! Keep entrusting yourself to the One who judges righteously. I know this all too well!!! God's blessings.