Ministry is not a bed of Roses

On Feb 8th I was reading the news in Jagran Newspaper (Hindi). The news said, "Three hundred Christians were re-converted into Hinduism, who were Christians for last 30-35 years. The whole congregation including the church pastor Vijay Masih was among the converts who turned the church building into Hindu temple and placed the Hindu idols in the church. It said that the people were purified using Hindu rituals and they were declared Hindus again in front of many distinguished guests. The other news said, these types of secret and forceful conversions are going on in the supervision of VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad). Well any kind of forceful conversion does not make any sense whether Hindus are converting to Christianity or vice versa.

Christianity is not about a religion but it is all about the change of heart and salvation. If you become Christian for money or any other benefits but you do not know Christ as your Lord and Savior it is not going to change anything. You are NOT going to go to heaven anyway by keeping Christian name or attending some Church. Religion does not change anybody that's why many are in Christian homes, but still they are without change of life style or heart. Unless and until you receive salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ you cannot achieve anything in this world nor in the world to come, but you would wave like a reed in the wind. When persecution will rise many may run for their lives and change their position or religion. Seeing persecution in India even some people wanted to flee to USA so that they can escape from the danger. Well running away is not the solution for the problem but staying in the place were Lord wants and keep doing the ministry is the real solution.

Few years back when my family was in India we faced the similar life and death situation. We were new believers in Christ and very enthusiastic to do anything for Christ so we decided to arrange a big convention. The only aim was to see souls were saved and bodies were healed. Well my brother formed a committee and begun the work. On the half way more than twenty pastors sent a paper with their signature to the preacher who was suppose to come, saying, "We are many churches and are the majority so we want to conduct this meeting." Making long story short the preacher gave his consent to the new committee to go ahead with the preparations of the meeting and they never informed us what was going on in the behind. We could know something because of few rumors was going on in the air. Well when it happened the man who was in our committee got very upset and furious because he had worked hard to arrange everything. One day he came to our house and said, "They cannot simply throw us away like a fly in milk, we have to destroy this meeting from taking place in whatever way possible. He said, "Do two things - 1. Cancel the permission of the ground so that the new committee may not be able to conduct the meeting in the ground or. 2. Call another preacher for the same dates in same ground and conduct the meeting." My brother said, "look I'll not do it in any cost, it is God's work and I would never stand in between. Let anybody do the meeting and still our purpose should be solved. Many should come to Christ and that is what we also wanted." The man got very furious he said, "Ok so you are also on their side, Right? You want them to conduct the meeting and you are supporting them? Then he further said, "I will destroy you and your family, I will make you to sell your house and will bring you to the streets."

After that my brother prayed about it to know what the Lord wanted to do the next and did what Lord asked him to do. The Bible says, "Moses had to face the king Pharaoh. He might have gone through the same situation, he might have been trembling in his shoes, his family might have been scared to death thinking Moses could die any time. Look at the life of Moses when he was forty years old he ran from the land of Egypt because king Pharaoh was seeking him to kill him. Moses fled to Midian and escaped but now Lord is saying to him to return to the same land and face the king of Egypt. Exo 2:15, "When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian;...." Can you imagine how hard it would have been for Moses? He had no other choice but to obey God or perish. That's what happens in ministry, if you are a real minister of God you don't have much choices. Either obey God or lose the ministry. Yes, Ministry could bring you in very odd situations where nothing looks logical or intelligent but anyway you are going to do it though you look like a fool in the eyes of people. Moses was doing the same thing, face the Pharaoh and die or disobey God and lose the ministry and perish. I am glad Moses chose God rather than escape route. Moses was a true Prophet that's the reason he didn't waver back and forth like a reed neither he changed his position seeing the situation. He was willing to die for the cause; he was ready to face death instead of a comfortable life. Heb11:24, "By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter," Heb 11:25," choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin," Heb 11:26,"esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward." Remember King Saul lost heaven not because of some big sin, no but because he disobeyed God. Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden because they disobeyed God. Saul did not commit great sin but still Saul could not reach heaven. After getting saved and still living in little sins thinking all is well could cost you heaven. The Bible says, Moses was faithful in all His house and he never wavered from the calling which he got at burning bush. Heb 3:5, 3:2, "And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant," The Bible says in, Rev 2:10 ... Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." Faithfulness counts in ministry. Are you a faithful minister of the Gospel? Are you cautious in following Christ in holiness and with all sincerity? Are you a faithful minister of the Gospel who is willing to preach the true Gospel at any cost?

The meeting was held and the said committee could do it. It was not the will of God so it was a big flop. The day meeting held our new troubles begun. We began to see professional killers moving around outside our house. Till morning to night ten to fifteen people were roaming in front of our house and street and it continued for more than two years. Not only that but also five to six bullets were fired on us (my brother sister and I) on Jan 07/1992 I believe. It were shot from close range say 8-10 feet away and I believe angels of the Lord stood in between and bullets could not hit us. It was a very painful and tearful journey where we didn't know who will end up being dead in our house. It was pretty hard to move out of the house even to buy grocery. Fear was so great I can't explain it anyway. There were times when I prayed only one prayer that also hundreds of times, "God if you ever decided to kill one of us remember I am the person who is ready to die on behalf of anyone of my family members. Please spare the life of my only brother, I promise you he is more faithful than me and I promise you he is going to do more ministry than I could ever do. He is going to win many souls for you than what I would, and you know God I am sure at the end you would never have to regret for this decision." Well the Lord saved us all. Once the Lord said to us, "if anyone touches you touches my eyeball only and you know nobody can touch My eyeballs so nobody is going to touch you." So yes, nobody could touch us though many attempts were made. Zec 2:8, "For thus says the LORD of hosts: "He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye."

Look at the Bible each and everyone who tried to do the real ministry were persecuted. But they never changed their position or messages. They preached bluntly and boldly saying thus says the Lord. 2 Tim 3:12, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." If you are a true believer or a true minister of the Gospel know for sure persecution will come. Today nobody might be chasing you to kill but the persecution could come in various ways like in the form of sickness, financial crisis, harassment, insult, rejection and in many other ways. Look at the life of Jesus' disciples they were all persecuted. Their ministry was creating enemies. If it were not true nobody would have killed them. The Bible says, all the disciples of Jesus including Paul were killed by Pharisees, priests and by kings. Stephen was stoned to death. Acts 6:8, And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Acts 6:10, "And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke." The next verse speaks, "the Pharisees and priest of their time stirred up the whole congregation and set up false witnesses and later they stoned him to death. Acts 7:59,"And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." His ministry was not creating friends either. Look at the life of Jesus, The Bible says, Pharisees were constantly searching for Him to kill Him and finally they did kill Him on the Cross. John 7:1, "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. Mat 26:3, "Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, Mat 26:4, "and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him." Know for sure if you are a true preacher of the Gospel your ministry may or may not create friends but it is certain to create enemies.

If you are preaching the Gospel and the truth, keep preaching it. Don't worry about enemies they will always be there. No matter what, preach the Gospel, keep preaching it from the rooftop, let the Gospel be heard all over. Who knows you may save few souls from hell fire.

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