others

Hebrews 11:36-40 (KJV) "And others" had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

We have heard so much "bless me" teaching in this generation that some think all we need do is confess Jesus as our Savior and material blessing will be ours. If this is true, I wonder why the Bible teaches us to be content with what we have? The world is interested in material gain and if the church is not careful we will began to think the same way. Godliness with contentment is great gain.

I believe that God wants to supply all our needs, be they great or small. Being a servant of our Lord is the greatest blessing one could have. Some fit in the "And Others" category suffering much persecution. To hear Him say, "Well done" should be our greatest desire. Let's learn to serve with gladness of heart.

What does our Lord desire in this generation? May I ask a question? Did you join a "Bless me club" or did you join the "Army of the Lord?" If you joined a "Bless me club" you will probably be disappointed! In an army you serve where you are, with what you have. You do as you are commanded. Jesus said "Why call me Lord and don't do what I say?"

Could God desire a Daniel in this generation? One who would rather be lion food than to stop praying to God? Maybe He wants someone like the three Hebrew boys who would rather burn than bow to anything other than the living God?

Does God want a Peter who wouldn't let them crucify him with his head up? He said he was not worthy to die the way Jesus did. God may want a Paul who was stoned and cast into prison because of his witness unto Jesus Christ. In prison he refused to be downcast. While there he wrote the letters to the churches that we enjoy today.

Could He desire a man like Jeremiah who preached most of his life without a convert? He left his own ambition to serve the living God. He was ridiculed, mocked and made fun of but that didn't stop him!

Possibly He desires a Stephen who preached so straight that they stoned him to death? Jesus, who is seated at the right hand of the Father, stood up to welcome him home. Maybe a John the Baptist who lost his head over the Gospel or possibly a John who was banished to the isle of Patmos. On the Lord's day he was in the Spirit and received a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Could He desire a Joshua or Caleb who was the only two who stood for what God had said? They said it's just like God said let's go get it. The rest complained and griped. When you stand for God the majority will be against you. If God be for you who can be against you? Should we desire to please man or God?

Maybe He desires a Rahab who turned from being a harlot and from her own people to serve the living God? Possibly an Esther who was alive "for such a time as this." She put her own life on the line to save God's people and be His vessel in that generation. Could He desire a Ruth who left her own people to serve the God of Israel?

The early disciples were whipped, stoned, mocked, thrown in prison, and gave their lives to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These counted it all joy to suffer for Christ. They were in the army of our Lord.

In all the armies of the world, God's army as well, many have given their life so we could be where we are today. I wonder what some of these witnesses would think of our complaining and griping about how hard it is to be a Christian?

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