AG Ministries Bringing Encouraging Words to a Discouraging World.

By Two or Three Witnesses

by Sisterlisa

We hosted a poll over the past few weeks to see how many of you have suffered persecution. I admit we have no way of knowing where, those who voted, live. But the results show that persecution is inflicted upon people in a way that is difficult to prove, which also makes it difficult to stop. In the years of working with hurting men and women over the last decade, we have seen this cycle of mental abuse.

Most times the best way to relieve yourself from experiencing this kind of persecution is to abstain from contact with those abusive people. From our experience over the years we have seen that breaking away from someone who is abusive is because there is a relationship developed that is hard to break away from.

In the beginning we tend to overlook subtle abuse because we are 'blinded by love', as many victims of abuse call it. So, we overlook the abuse and we never speak up about how we feel. When we do that it makes it easier for the abusive ones to inflict more and take advantage of you more often. This is enabling. We love them, overlook the abuse, and enable them to continue being abusive. So, what do you do when it gets to a point where you are under such oppression, but feel so stuck in the relationship? (Please don't misunderstand. I'm not spoeaking about marriage, that is another matter entirely.) I'm speaking about other types of relationships. Whether it's a friend, a co-worker, or religious leader, etc.

We find ourselves in a real jam. If we stop putting up with it and voice our opinion they may retaliate against us or get angry at us speaking up about it. Hold it right there. If we suspect that their reaction will be taken as an offense then that may be a good indicator that we need distance from them, or perhaps we have misunderstood. In any event, the situation demands attention. Our Lord tells us in Matthew 18 that we are to find witnesses to help assist.

Matthew 18:16, "¹⁶But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."

I had a discussion with my husband about this. Since Jesus told us that we need to get two or three witnesses to assist us in establishing a matter, then it is clearly evident to us that those two or three witnesses are bound by biblical command from Jesus, to assist. But when believers refuse to get involved, you continue to seek for help. By the time twenty to thirty people have refused to help you, word gets around and suddenly you're labeled as a gossip. However, if the first three people would have responded to our Lord's command to assist, then it may never have gotten around town to begin with.

I recommend you take time to pray before seeking the first few witnesses. You need to make sure they are strong individuals who seek to bring reconciliation to all involved and who can stand firm with everyone.
You may want to explain the situation before you inform them of who it involves.
Be in prayer together as a group before coming together for a meeting with the individual(s).
Be willing to be corrected if you have done wrong as well.

If you are ever approached by someone who needs your assistance in mediating a situation, take it seriously. Please do not deny helping those who need you. If you honestly feel that you won't be able to help them, then at least help them find someone who can. But please do not leave them hanging.

Sisterlisa is a homeschooling mom of four children and married to an evangelist who travels to bring the gospel to those in need of our Savior and who works with Rescue Ministries. She is the owner of Growing in Grace Magazine and AGMinistries.

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My Salvation is Priceless!

by Jenny

I was thinking today how little wealth and riches matter, when we consider eternity. We can be rich in this life and in need of nothing, but lost for eternity!

Mark 8:36 "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? "

It is true, so true. We are born into the world with nothing and shall return with nothing. The Egyptians thought they could take it all with them, but when archeologists have uncovered tombs, they have found the treasures still intact, apart form what was stole by tomb robbers!

We have a soul that never dies, our soul lives forever. We may die, but our soul lives on. Oh, may it be that we live on forever in eternity with Jesus and not everlasting torment.

photo by ba1969

Daniel 12:2 "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."

It is not through our works that we can enter heaven though, it is through grace. We have to accept that Jesus died for our sins and to repent of our sins. We need to humble ourselves and come to the foot of the cross and accept that we are sinners in need of a saviour.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but hath everlasting life."

Are we living for richness and comfort in this life, or are we living for that blessed hope of eternity?

Jenny is a Christian home educating Mum of 9 blessings, living in the flat plains of England's green and pleasant land. She blogs at Be Fruitful.

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It's Okay to Cry

by Sisterlisa

Have you ever had those days when you just feel like laying in bed with a box of Kleenex and cry all day? Sometimes there's no apparent reason, but just an overwhelming flood of emotions that knock you flat out. David wrote about such things in Psalms. It is obvious he suffered from different stages of depression.

He felt loneliness, despair, suffering, self-condemnation, etc. His emotions became overwhelming for different reasons. Some were due to the persecution he suffered at the hands of Saul. David loved the king and could have taken King Saul's life in the cave that day, but he chose not to. He remained hidden in the cave, safe from danger, but still feeling the fear inside, that the king he loved so much sought to slay him.

Later in life he suffered from depression as he faced the guilt of his sin with Bathsheba. But through that time he realized the grace of God, as he could have suffered so much deeper, but because he had a heart after God, our Lord was merciful.

We know that Job suffered from overwhelming emotions as well, as he lost all of his children and wealth. Job was an upright man, he did not deserve the attack from the enemy. God, in his sovereignty, allowed that attack and Job sought God in the middle of all that pain.

Just because someone is innocent of accusations against them does not mean they go without emotional suffering during such an attack. I am in amazement that David remained loving towards Saul as Saul chased him throughout the land with such hatred. From what we read about their story it seems as though King Saul really didn't understand just how much David loved him. King Saul was driven by his jealousy over the victories God was giving to David. David was not trying to out-do King Saul in battle, it was being given to him by God. Nonetheless, Saul hated David and wanted him dead. Perhaps, that in Saul's mind, he felt justified that he was the anointed king who had divine right to the throne, but failed to recognize that God is king of kings and could replace him if he so chooses. The throne really belonged to God and God chooses who sits on that earthly thrones. When we hold onto the thing we most desperately think we have a right to, is just when God may choose to show us that our focus to keep our eyes on Him, has failed. Whether we are the victim or the persecutor, we all experience those battles of the mind.

When we experience an attack from people we love, it hurts. It hurts a lot. The emotional anguish of betrayal is so painful that you feel like your heart has been ripped out of your chest. It's a pain that makes it hard to breathe. It feels like a part of your heart has died. In that death, Jesus Christ can show you His life. In our weakness, he is strong. Even when we feel weak, it's His strength that carries us through. It doesn't change the sadness you feel. It doesn't stop the tears from overtaking you. It doesn't relieve the heaviness in your chest when you try to breathe, but He is there and he is carrying you. Be sure you have a multitude of counselors who can keep you encouraged during this time. Pray for God to protect you from more attacks as you recover. Ask loved ones to keep additional stress from being put on your shoulders. And when you feel like crying, it's okay to do so. Just take a few minutes and cry out to Jesus, but then get back up and get back to life. He will renew you and strengthen you each and every day.

2 Corinthians 12:9, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."