The Line in the Sand

the day is at hand

time to choose

for or against

no matter the cost or

personal price to pay

they will not let you

slip away unnoticed 

hide in the basement

blend into the crowd

you will have to 

wear the badge if you 

disagree with them

a sign of your 

nonconformity - hatred

in their eyes but

nonsense in your eyes -

it will be your badge of

courage...faithfulness...

love / honor / standing

for the Truth / Reality

but ignorance / bigotry in 

their world...you will have

to endure like your Master...

receive like unto what 

He Received...it will be 

painful...humiliating....

they will come for you...

your family....job / business...

careers will have to change...

relationships will be ended...

friends will no longer be 

there for you...nor some 

family members despite 

your love for them...problems

will arise that you never

imagined would come knocking

on your door let alone take over

your life...money...reputation...

pressures of every kind even on 

your children....all because of 

Him...yes...He is the Line in

the Sand...the Pont of Contention...

what He Said...Taught...Passed on...

the Truth about Reality...Life...

Who you are...What you are

Called to Be in this World...

His Witness...Follower...

Disciple...to speak as He

Spoke...to say what He is

Saying now...Truth in Love...

to deny His Teaching is to

deny Him...to please the world

is to displease Him...to agree

with the world is to disagree

with Him...He told you this 

was coming...that they would

hate you because they first 

hated Him...only now it's 

not just written words...

it's here...in your face...in

your children's faces...what 

others - in times past...in 

other places...cultures...

circumstances have had to do...

say...live...endure...now you are 

called to replicate...make your own...

Stand...Fight - not with weapons

of this world but in Spirit / Truth...

not returning hatred but Love...

not by might / power but by Grace

for on your own you will fail...

you will not be able to live

Virtuously by merely trying

harder...it will only be possible

if you are One with Him...

depending upon His Spirit of

Power...day by day...supporting

one another in the Lord...loving

one another as He loves us...and

lastly...Rejoicing in the Lord...

that you are Chosen to suffer 

along side Him .knowing that 

He is Risen!...He lives within you...

He will never leave you nor 

forsake you...He will always

Love you...Dearly / Infinitely....

remembering that all you see / 

hear / experience will pass away...

only what is in Him will Stand...

Forever...do not fear those who 

can merely kill the body...rather

be in Awe of He who has 

Power over death...who can

Destroy the soul in Fire Forever...

He is the Line in the Sand so

Choose Wisely and Fearlessly 

Obey God rather than man

Reflection / Discussion:

-How is Jesus the 'line in the sand'?

-What are some of the issues at stake?

-How do you handle family members who don't follow the Lord?

-Where have you seen 'persecution' in Western society?

-What can you do now to prepare yourself / family for persecution?

-What is your prayer life like?

-Have you / family made a personal commitment to Christ?

-Be informed so as to make a 'simple / loving' defense of your faith.