Scriptural Reference:
Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.
Hebrews 10:32

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them."
1 John 2:15

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does."
2 Corinthians 10:3

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. "
John 15:18

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:10

"But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,"
1 Peter 3:14

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 cheerless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."
2 Timothy 3:3

Reflection: Ever notice that life isn't a bowl of cherries? Maybe you've realised there are a lot of pits in the bowl? Or that when you learned the truth and accepted Jesus the Christ as your Lord and Saviour people suddenly changed? They became more difficult and even aggressive towards you. What was all that about? Well you're not alone. In fact countless generations before you and many after you have and will have had the same painful experiences.

Jesus never held back on His explanation as to how the world would treat His followers. He knew full well that the world would constantly be against Christians. He told us this in the scriptures. Hebrews 10:32 tells us this clearly. Where it explains that after we have accepted the light and the truth we suffered hardship and conflict. For some sad reason those who have grown accustomed to sinful ways will always react and attack those who have turned from the darkness and entered the light.

Sadly many Christians have slid backwards towards things that shine and sparkle in the world. They have returned to loving the things that the world embraces. Things that may be divided into two groups. The first are neutral and have no seemingly deep impact in the Christians walk of faith. The second is made up of things that are directly contrary to what God has ordained as being good and healthy for believers. Regardless of which group believers may say they are focused or interested in, there is a moving away from God as the true focus of faith. There is a 'loving' of earthly things; which we are told will diminish our love for God to the point where we may no longer feel it. There is a danger of alienating our love for God with a love for the physical world.

There is also a danger that we forget just who and what we are challenged and conflicted with. We do not fight a war as the world does. In 2 Corinthians 10:3 we are taught that we are fighting a war of a spiritual battle. Our enemies are both tangible humans who will work to belittle us and create physical discomfort as often as possible. We are also faced with a spiritual war where the enemy are spirits, demons and apparitions. Entities that can travel between the physical world and the spiritual realms. Able to take on the forms of both human and animal. Even able to influence them to attack us. We are challenged on many levels and in need of the full armour of God. As detailed in Ephesians 6:11-17 each piece is fitted to protect us and provide us the weapons to fight.

God has not left us without resources and without a future reward. We read in Matthew 5:10 and in 1 Peter 3:14 how all our suffering here on earth will be rewarded in a blessed future. One where every tear shall be dried and every wound shall be healed. What we experience here on the planet is limited to our time here. There is an endless time we will share in paradise. A place of perfect rest. We will just need to be strong and trust in the Lord who has given us the Holy Spirit. To guide and comfort us.

While we await the return of the Lord we are told not to waste time on those who will point here and there claiming that the Lord is or has returned. Not even Jesus the Christ knows when God will have His Son ultimately return. Though we are told some of the signs that will take place prior. In 2 Timothy 3:3 we read some of the conditions that will be prevalent. People will become lovers of self, of money, of flesh, arrogant, proud and disobedient. There will be a push against all Godly things. Christians will become openly targeted as they will represent everything that the world is rejecting. Times will become painful and difficult for Christians everywhere. And yet we have a blessed assurance that we can cling to. One that will give us strength.

"When the going gets tough, Christians keep going"

A motto we should keep in mind in these darkening times.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
I pray for the strength to stand firm.
In my faith and trust in Jesus the Christ.
Your Son and my Lord and Saviour.

Precious Lord,
I praise Your holy name.
For you are my redeemer.
In you I have life ever after.

Holy Spirit,
I embrace your truth and wisdom.
You are my comfort and protection.
My soul rejoices in you always.
Amen