What does it mean to suffer with Christ? Does that sound like something you would be willing to do for someone you don’t even have a relationship with? Probably not. Seeking a relationship with God is paramount to living a life full of purpose. James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you…” God yearns for a relationship with every single one of us. If you have a relationship with Him, there may come a time where you have to suffer for Him at some point when you defend His name and biblical principles.

For those of you who need a reminder, Jesus Christ was God in the flesh and died on a cross for ALL of our sins, every last one of them (past, present and future). He was the perfect sacrifice: unstained, unblemished, and without sin. He died so that we ALL could have the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins and live a holy life by having a relationship with God the Father through the Holy Spirit. Christ’s death was horrific. Not only did He have nails driven through His hands and feet and hang on a cross, but He was tortured with a cat of nine tails (whip with razor-like ends) and beaten. Because He did that, we should see just how much He loves us. That kind of sacrifice should make us want to seek a relationship with Him. If that relationship requires us at some point to suffer for righteousness on account of Him, so be it. “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:17

There is coming a time as the end draws near and the thousand year reign begins where Christ followers are going to be persecuted more frequently and severely in America. They are already being persecuted, beaten and jailed in other countries like China, North Korea, and many African and European countries, etc. America will go from bad to worse as the years go on and the “woke” ideologies will become more prevalent. Then comes the Great Reset. My point is that you must be willing to suffer with Christ. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12, 13. You would only suffer for someone if you loved them and had a relationship with them, right? I wouldn’t suffer for someone I didn’t know. I wouldn’t get tortured or jailed for someone I didn’t know. Would you? No. Absolutely not.

It is about time people start waking up to the One and only Truth and start seeking a relationship with Him: God Almighty. Stop living for yourself and start living to please Him. “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39. I promise you that you won’t regret knowing Christ. Those who have turned away from the faith never knew Christ and the ones who were willing to die and be persecuted for His names sake knew the King of the World. It sounds insane to suffer for someone you can’t see but yet, countless people in the past 2 millennia have suffered for the name of Jesus and His good news. Did they all have a mass psychosis?? Absolutely not. That must mean all the people who have died and the ones who continue to suffer and are persecuted all over the world must believe in something that is tangible and true: God is real, died for our sins and now pursue a relationship with Him no matter the cost. “And if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8:7

It is a wonderful thing to be in the presence of the Living God! It is the most incredible feeling in the world and take it from me, I have done so many drugs and have been so high but all of those feeling pale in comparison to being in the presence of my Lord and Savior. God saved me from hell and the grave and got me sober because He loves me! Without Him, I wouldn’t be in my daughter’s life and would be in prison or dead. He is the lover of my soul and the kindest and most compassionate person I have ever known and my message to you is that He will do the same for you if you let Him. All  you have to do is seek Him and you will find Him. “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13. So if and when the time comes that you are called to suffer for Him, it won’t be as hard as you think when you have that relationship with Him. Without it, you will not endure to the end but with it, you can face anything.

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13