Paul was whipped with rods

Galatians 6:17 Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

No Paul did not get tattoo’s with Jesus name on his back……He had real scars! Paul was like a Timex watch…”He could take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’.” God indeed had preserved him.

Paul made this statement in his letter to the Galatians. I think the powers that be was getting on his last nerve with their arguments over the law and were questioning his authority. You know how folks can be. Paul had preached a lot and he had been through much for the cause of Jesus Christ and he had the scars to prove it.

2 Corinthians 11:24-28 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

What more could Paul have done to prove his deep commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I think Paul should have held out his arm to those people and said……”speak to the hand!” But instead he gave them a good talking to. Paul loved the Lord so much and was very committed to serving Him and had a great concern for the churches. He put himself in so much danger and was very often attacked because of his beliefs.

1Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

I think about myself and think what have I done for the cause of Christ? I do know I have suffered greatly and I believe it’s because of my long history of being a prayer intercessor.  In the past 7 years I’m more determined to share my faith with others. Like Paul….I count it all joy because the work God has done in my life  is worth more than gold to me. I have learned and earned because of the marks in my body I bear. I’ve learned about God’s comfort, His protection, the bible, His faithfulness and so much more….and I’ve earned rewards and one day a crown for the suffering. I am so blessed.

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

I may not have been shipwrecked or pelted with stones but I have suffered things for the cause of Christ and I daily submit myself to the Lord to use me as He’s sees fit. I often pray for the persecuted church because even in this day there are still people being tortured for the cause of Christ.

Are we prepared to stand up for Jesus Christ? Are we prepared to defend the faith, to spread the good news ….even at the cost of our discomfort or even our very lives?

Message for today: Let’s give everything for the cause of Jesus Christ. Let’s pray for those who are on the front lines…..the missionaries and the persecuted church. Let’s get rid of the fear of sharing our faith and stand for truth when it come to Jesus Christ. Let’s get out of our comfort zone and make some more disciples…win some souls….get some marks.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”