Reflection # 5

 This week was a very interesting topic at the same it was also mysterious. It is the worst thing I've ever heard in church history. I really don't know that theses are the things that happen. The only thing I knew about the history is about the burning of the Bibles but not to the extent as I've seen in the video. I didn't know that it is more than that. It is more brutal, unmerciful people who killed them with that numbers. I was really shocked of those happenings in the past specifically the dark ages. I was surprised as I've watched the sufferings and painful events in church history. There were full of scarcity and corpses anywhere. By knowing those things I've learned that in times of darkness in life as a Christian I will continue to seek after God. I will continue to persevere and endure any difficulties in life and cling to the promises of God. I've learned that verily God works in the life of His people where He prove that no one is able to defeat Him and no one is able to oppose what He wills and plans. His Name will truly reign as the Word of God says and the truth will always prevail. During the black marks in Christianity is that God will not leave and forsake His people though He allow circumstances to happens but there is always hope in life. Despite of all the black death of Christians still the truth is spreading.

As a minister I should continue to encourage Christian to be more courageous and will not renounce their faith in God knowing that the people in Christian history fight for their faith in order for us to reach and know the truth. Though knowing the fact that those people in the dark times who destroy and ruin Christianity were lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. These are the characteristics of true darkness. I've realized that knowing these factors it urge me that there is urgency in sharing the Gospel and expect that there are many people who will continue to ruin Christians but the positive there is that God is always with me or with us and “He is greater than He that is in the world”. The promise of God is that He will hold us securely in His everlasting arms.

The steps to make into my personal life are to submit to the strengthening power and work of our Savior. My heart cries and was moved which spur me to continue praying for all the followers of Christ. The struggle that they face right now and the fighting of their belief in God even if it is in a means of dying. God is truly working for each people, the only thing is to fully lean on to Him and acknowledge His Name. I will continue to pray especially to those countries who are persecuting Christians that shared the Word of truth. I need to “Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love”(1 Cor 16: 13-14). To be on guard means to be watchful which includes paying close attention that might caused factions within the church (which caused arguments and strife and not only weakened the church, but threatened to destroy it) that these reminds me to be on guard spiritually. I need to pay attention to my spiritual life and knowledge and devotion to God so that I will be inform and not to be spiritual ignorant and indifference. I must rely on Him as the firm foundation. More than anything in these troubled times, I as a Christian am called to be on guard spiritually, stand firm in the faith, allowing myself to be strengthened by the Word & Spirit of God, act with courage, and do everything in love. I must stand for the truth courageously and boldly opposing to what I know is false. I am encouraged to share these facts to my fellow believers in Consolacion Baptist Church so that they will be encourage to be more prayerful and to stand firm in their faith as well.