What is Lost Must Be Found – So You See
When Will IT End. The Scourging, and the Crucifixion of Christ! Christ's BODY that is--We His PEOPLE. That thought came into my mind the other day. Images of Christ being crucified began to pop up on Television as we approached Good Friday and Easter. It had me wondering, has this event ever ended? So--curious I started to look up statistics on www.statista.com/topics/1750/violent-crime-in-the-us.
I find these facts for 2018 alone. Murders in USA--16,214 thousand. Rapes -- 101,105 that were reported. Over 1 MILLION in violent crimes Next, the horror of abortions performed since Roe vs. Wade---over 60 MILLION!!
New York is suffering greatly due to Covid 19 but---the state leads in the abortions performed---over 100,000 in 2017. That should make us wonder IF there is a connection.
But, what about our own behavior? Our selfish behavior and bad habits have caused an increase in the accidental deaths and injury too. There were 33,654 fatal motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2018 in which 36,560 deaths occurred. The destruction of our bodies due to illness and disease--on average 2.5 million a year. So we cannot point fingers at anyone can we---for that is not LOVE.
Let us mention now the increase in the Persecutions and deaths of Christians---our sisters and brothers all over the world. On average --11 Christians are being killed DAILY--4,136 in 2018 alone: and about 3000 held in captivity. North Korea is top at the list of 11 nations that are increasing their attack on the followers of Christ.
WHY this topic on Good Friday? Why the theme of Suffering and Trails? Why did God lead me to study Revelations? God wants us to know of His LOVE so deep that not only did He send His Son to live and die for us---HE SENT YOU--He sent me into this world that through our sufferings --we are made able to save those who need saving NOW-TODAY.
We are the Body of Christ, the voice of Jesus, the arms and feet of Jesus! And, how we love as Jesus---will enable us to save that person imprisoned and living in despair. As we share our lives stories and experiences, as we live by example the love of God---we become the Way and the Light to all those in these ALL these DARK days.
The fields are ripe---the laborers are few---GOD NEEDS YOU. Your response? To say YES--means total surrender, trust and obedience as we walk HIS Way into the Light.
Romans 8 16 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. Then in 1 Peter Chapter 4 12 Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer. 16 But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name. 17 For it is time for the judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, how will it end for those who fail to obey the gospel of God?
Yes, beloved; how will Christ's (His Body on Earth) suffering end for those who fail to obey. Everyday---ask---"AM I OBEYING God's laws of love?" Am I kind, patient, understanding, merciful, or forgiving? Am I jealous, proud, rude, selfish, angry, getting upset over wrongdoings? "If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing." IF I DO NOT LOVE--I am nothing!
For further teachings on sufferings from our Catholic Church. www.catholicstand.com/lent-join-our-suffering-to-that-of-christ