[Discoveries] 08-29-08 The marks of Jesus -- Galatians 6:17

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks 
of Jesus. -- Galatians 6:17*/

Everybody has their heroes. Let me tell you who mine are. My heroes are 
people who have suffered for their faith. People like Noble Alexander 
who spent 22 years in the Cuban gulag. Pastor Wally who turned down 
wealth and privilege to endure torture and an order for his execution. 
Tran Mai whose daughters were summoned to the police station and 
interrogated while he sat in a Vietnamese prison. Pastor Lamb whose wife 
died during his long incarceration.

I stand in awe of these men and women, to be honest with you. These 
forgotten heroes.

Many are enamored by sports stars, famous musicians or Hollywood 
celebrities, by business tycoons or political brokers of power. Many of 
these big names have worthy qualities, no doubt. Even so, they just 
haven't captured my imagination.

None of us wants to step into the fiery furnace of persecution. But 
these men and women were willing to do it. I stand in awe of them, and I 
stand in awe of the God who lives inside them. I'm sure that deep inside 
they are just like me. They have fears. They get tired. They just want 
to quit and go home. They want a hug and some encouraging words. They 
probably have days when they feel like complaining. When they get hurt, 
they feel pain, just like I do.

But somehow God has overcome all those fears in them, their anger, their 
discouragement and has given them His overcoming Spirit and grace. This 
is something I don't quite understand.

Forty-two years ago, when I was a little boy, my dad was studying 
electronics in the Air Force. He used to let me crawl up onto his lap 
and there he would read his electronics books to me. You might consider 
that a bit odd -- reading electronics books to a five year old. But I 
loved it. I didn't understand it, but I loved it nevertheless.

I get the same feeling now. I don't understand God's great work. But I 
do love to crawl up onto His lap and listen to what He has to say.

Be encouraged!
Dwight

What happens when you partner with Dwight Clough Ministries? Victims of 
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face persecution are finding strength and encouragement. Young believers 
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sacrifice of many people including yourself. We partner with you, with 
other ministries, and, most significantly, with the Lord. That's how the 
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