Good Morning.

"Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." James 5.10-11 Survivor stories always capture headlines. (Do you remember little 18-month-old Jessica who fell down an eight-inch wide pipe in Texas? I can remember the news coverage of the 58-hour recovery effort. Now, that was a survivor story! She's 21 now.) How about John McCain's POW years. . . nothing short of awe-inspiring. And, when against all odds, someone comes crawling out of the rubble of a disaster, onlookers cheer, women cry. . . Stories of heroes of the faith provide just such inspiration to Christians trying to 'stand firm' themselves.

Consider the Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah, who was put in stocks, thrown into prison, and lowered into a horrific dungeon, and yet he carried on with his ministry--without bitterness, without a vengeful spirit toward those who persecuted him. Only because he stood firm in the faith. Several of the OT prophets were called to take messages of doom and gloom to God's people and even to their enemies. . . their courage came only from the Lord. Take Amos, who started with a general indictment of the whole region--Syria, Ammon, Judah, et. al, and then focuses on Israel. He predicts their coming demise, and within 30 years, all of his predictions were fulfilled; Israel went from the height of its power to destruction and exile. Here's the question for you and me: why do we turn a 'deaf ear' to messages from God? [like, for instance, in yesterday's briefing where James references Jesus' promised return--the second coming! In Matthew 24, Jesus says that 'no one knows the day or hour. . . that is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.' Don't you think if you are the one 'left', that you will think--'I heard about this, but just didn't put too much stock in it--thought I'd even look into it a little more when I had the time, but now. . . well, what now?] A present-day prediction you might want to heed: get ready, Jesus is coming again. For me personally--that is great news. 1 Corinthians 13 ends with, 'now we see through a glass darkly, but then we shall see Him face-to-face.' Yes, that is great news.

Christians will not be spared of suffering, which is contrary to some of the 'prosperity' preachers of our day. Christians will experience life, with all of its ups and downs, twists and turns, but we are promised that 'He will never leave us, He will never forsake us.' (Hebrews 13.5) James mentions Job, too--well, how did this man not curse God? He was stripped of everything, and said, 'though He slay me, yet I will hope in Him.' Who is this guy? (Job 13.15, pronounced with a long "o") Don't misunderstand--Job questioned, he wrestled with God, but nonetheless, he held the course. Yep, he stood firm, and said, "but He knows the way that I take, when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold." I don't know if I could say that. . . I just don't know. . . "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth." Job 19.25 Oh, yes, Job. (do yourself a favor--be blessed today, and click on this site:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFmu1eUouaA the song, "Redeemer" by Nicole Mullen. Consider the import of these powerful lyrics: