Counting the Cost

I am reading the book, "The Heavenly Man" about Chinese brother, Yun, who went through so much because of his faith. He endured horrible torture and was put in prison 4 different times. Abba Father was very faithful to him and he witnessed many miracles including walking out of prison without the guards even seeing him! One thing I have taken note of and feel it is important to remember. The Chinese government often used spies that acted as believers to find out about the underground churches. Even while brother Yun was in prison, the government would plant false believers as prisoners in his cell to try to find out more info on other believers and house churches.

I know people tune me out and think I am off my rocker because I have said this for so long, but the day is coming when we very well may be in this position ourselves. We know that history repeats itself and these things start very slowly until the next thing you know, believers must go underground to worship the Lord. We will probably not have our Bibles anymore. We will probably be treated like criminals. We can see that true faith is being wiped out of the public square and people are being persecuted and prosecuted for taking a stand for Yeshua/Jesus. This is only the beginning of a much bigger tsunami looming on the horizon.

As I read brother Yun's testimony, I feel very convicted and I ask myself if I can endure this kind of torment. Quite frankly, I cannot. I must trust that if Yeshua told me to take up my cross and follow Him, that He certainly will give me the strength when I need it. He is always right on time - HIS time. Meanwhile, I am going to do everything I can to be spiritually fit for the evil days I see ahead. I want my lamp to be full of oil! I can see we must really be exercised in the gift of discernment. Even now, there are people who have given themselves nice, religious names and know how to talk the talk, but they are fakes. They do not walk the walk. Some have evil motives and do not really follow the Shepherd. Yeshua said:
John 10:1-5 (Complete Jewish Bible) 
 "Yes, indeed! I tell you, the person who doesn't enter the sheep- pen through the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. But the one who goes in through the gate is the sheep's own shepherd. This is the one the gate- keeper admits, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep, each one by name, and leads them out. After taking out all that are his own, he goes on ahead of them; and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. They never follow a stranger but will run away from him, because strangers 'voices are unfamiliar to them."

We must never, ever deny Yeshua! We must never, ever bow to anyone other than Him and we must know the difference between our Shepherd and a wolf in sheep's clothing.

I remember the old song:

Lord, you are more precious than silver,
Lord, you are more costly than gold,
Lord you are more beautiful than diamonds,
And there's nothing I desire compares with You!