The Body of Christ is voluntary. Jesus was/is looking for people who are willing to take up their crosses daily. The life of a saint will be a difficult one and the Lord takes no pleasure on those who pull back from this. The road into the depths of the Fathers heart is a rocky narrow one . Many are called to it, but few endure to the end. The few, and they are millions of saints from every tribe and tongue and nation, shall gather round the throne and cry Holy! .....bro Frank

Brother I certainly see this in the life of our persecuted brothers and sisters. We recently heard a pastor from a restricted nation on our prayer call. He said to die for Christ in an instant is easy. But the challenge is to live daily for Jesus in the midst of persecution that never leaves. He said the only way to live for Christ is to die to ourselves daily.

I see this is the reality of the cross on our persecured brothers and sisters. But we also see that the life of Jesus shines through them. The same life is available to us. But the question is are we willing to die to Jesus daily in that cross we must pick up daily? Are we willing to pay the price to have His life in us?

Simply my thoughts bro.

Often the hardest times to live sold out lives to Jesus is when there is nothing going on. Most genuine saints will rise to the challenge of trials and tribulations. It drives us deeper into the heart of God, but when the wind drops and we find ourselves on motionless seas, this is when it is difficult to make forward progress. Vigilance is needed when we seem to be just cruising along.

They used to warn folks about airbeds by the seaside. You can be lying on them relaxing and close your eyes. The undulations of the sea lull you to sleep for what seems like just a moment. Yet when you open your eyes you could find yourself a long way from the shore............bro Frank

... For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it...Hebrews 2:1

Very appropriate verse given your previous post brother.

" The Lord does not call us to be masters of theology or doctrine but followers and Disciples of him."

Brother a very profound statement coming from the lives of our persecuted brethren. I remember a comment from a VOM medical missionary. As he reflected upon the suffering brothers and sisters in Nigeria. He said they may not be able to articulate the fine arguments of the Cal/Arm debate. But he said when a jihadist would come to them swinging a machete and saying recite the Islamic shahada. But the dear saint would say no Jesus is Lord! Suddenly their theology becomes very deep.

Something I have always reflected on.

Bro Greg writes...........

"The way of the cross is pain and suffering but great joy and peace. What a glorious gospel and Son of God we follow."

Yes indeed and amen. And the supernatural element and the fruit of this is the joy and peace that is exhibited by those who travel along the deepest valleys and in the shadow of death. The world understands peace and joy when circumstances are correct and pleasant, the world does not understand joy in the midst of trial. The closest the world has come to is stoicism and I have witnessed much stoicism in Christendom, but stoicism is not joy and peace.

Stoicism is the endurance of pain or hardship without a display of feelings and without complaint. The English might call it the stiff upper lip. Yet the way of the cross is entirely different. It elevates the spirit above the storm. It produces peace and joy and even epiphany. Think of Stephen as he was stoned as an extreme example of moving in the supernatural. He had his vision and cried out that those who stoned him would not be held guilty for their crimes.

The lowliest saint who walks the way of the cross is more noble than any nobleman that has graced the pages of our history books. The saint who walks in the way of the cross walks in the shadow of the Almighty and casts the shadow of the almighty on the earth because the Lord Himself dwells within them. This is our calling saints, it always has been. This calling has to be understood in the depths of the saints soul and when it is then that saint is prepared for their own bloody Via Dolorosa. The Body of Christ is soon to walk this path corporately. What a glorious triumph of the Spirit this will be. Evil shall be overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimonies and the world will witness that the Body of Christ loved not their own lives unto death.........bro Frank