The Household of Faith

I thank you LORD for the
Household of faith –
Believers – my brothers –
My sisters –
My fellows –
My friends –
My encouragers –
My supporters –
My family
In Christ
 

How unanticipated the rejection –
How unexpected
The contempt – the scorn –
The misunderstanding –
The overt hatred that
Often confronts
New believers
Who dare
To share
Their faith
 


The pain may seem unbearable –
Unreasonable – unwarranted –
Unacceptable – but
Do not despair –
Your pain is not
In vain – One soul –
One born into
Freedom – one
Snatched from the flames
Of Hell – One jewel –
 

In a crown of life will shine –
One soul to travel
With you –
One added
To the Household
Of faith – winning
Others to Christ –
The war rages
As you journey
Toward home
 
You were born for adversity –
Born into the
Household of
Faith to fight –
To lay aside
Your losses –
Counting them as
Excess weight –
Casting them aside –
Strengthening yourself
 
In the LORD your God –
Embracing the battle –
Knowing your labor
Is not in vain
In Christ Jesus –
The LORD is your
Exceeding great
Reward – He is
Your defense –
Your strong tower –
 
When you feel weary remember
Our LORD who endured
The cross – and the loss
Of many who
Rejected Him –
(Rejection hurts)
To give us
A life worth
Living – worth
Giving – for Him

By Carol Ann Hoel © June 9, 2011

_____________________________

John 12:25-26 – The Bible (KJV) – He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Hebrews 12:1-4 – The Bible (KJV) – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

1 Corinthians 15:28 – The Bible (KJV) – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

John 15:7-14 – The Bible (KJV) – If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Galatians 6:9-10 – The Bible (KJV) – And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Proverbs 17:17 – The Bible (KJV) – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Genesis 15:1 – The Bible (KJV) – After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Matthew 5:10-16 – The Bible (KJV) – Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.