Bourland Family Blog

“Then out of the smoke locusts came forth on the earth, and such power was granted them as the power the earth’s scorpions have.” Revelation 9:3 ->me: Sorry folks, you are going to get a lot of references and points back to my recent trip to Mexico reinforcing God’s Word of application into my life.  🙂  On Sunday morning at Calvary Chapel Rosarito a few of us were confronted by a woman who threatened ours and our families lives (saying either she or her brothers would hunt us down and shoot us) because of where we were from and the fact that we were unable to break her 500 peso bill.  I must internalize the fact that evil has no authority that is not given to it by God.  NOTHING!  So, what am I to do when faced by evil?  Be afraid?  Run?  Withdraw from the plan and purposes I know God has me on?  No.  Threats are not the same as harm.  I believe the biggest weapon satan wields is the one of accusation and fear mongering…working to either distract me or scare me away from the work God has me there to do.  God must approve any harm to befall me initiated by evil forces.  This must be viewed as a comfort and thought provoking exercise.  Comfort in that I can move forward in the face of fear, accusation, persecution, and scorn.  Thought provoking when I am allowed to be touched by satan – to ponder and search what the Lord’s ultimate purposes are through that approval.  The more satan comes against a good work I am doing, the more dedicated I should be to completing it.

I am home from my missions trip and back at it in Revelation Chapter 9, however [that’s not where the Lord had a word for me today]…what really hit me was an interesting thought from the Lord.  As I was standing in the line to board my plane today at Sky Harbor airport, I saw a group of Medonite women getting off the plane we were about to board.  They had on their typical white hair bonnets, dresses, and sensible shoes and it was clear that they stood out.  I know who they are and what they believe.  What came to my mind was the people in the time of Jesus; from what I know no one who followed Jesus dressed any different than those around them.  Everyone wore tunics, belts, sandals, and the like…maybe only differing in color.  So why were they persecuted?  I know why – because they taught, preached, worshipped, and witnessed openly.  Why am I not persecuted?  Because I don’t do anything to call attention to myself.  I guarantee you that the Medonite women I saw get strange looks and are probably treated differently because of the way they dress, yet they are not deterred.  Why am I deterred?  Am I ashamed of what God did for me?  Do I want to hold to myself all that God has given?  I better not.  I need to dress my speech and actions in such a way that I stand out as a follower of Jesus Christ and like the Medonite women, not be deterred in this no matter the looks and negative comments I might receive.