Out Our Way: They will challenge you

Acts 7:54-60 - "When they heard these things they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen ..."

Out our way, working cattle usually means work! There are times when things go smoothly. You gather the herd who come together without resistance, somene takes point and the herd follows. Yes, there are such times, but not many. Most of the time, Charlie and I had to spend a good deal of saddle time getting the herd together, and then you spend the next hours trying to keep them together and keep them moving.

In the Hollywood Westerns, the trail is easy, the cattle content, and lots of close ups of wranglers just chatting together and enjoying the ride. If you have ever worked a typical roundup or gathering, you know that is Hollywood - but not the Hi-Line. I guarantee Charlie and I had no time for "gum flapping," for even cattle raised in fenced pastures - not to mention open-range cattle - can be contrary. Strays break off solo and sometimes in groups, and the wrangler has to go after them and get them back. Like I say, working cows means work. They will - and do - test you. 

The early Church, filled with the Holy Spirit, was a "gathering force" God sent out into the world. Armed with the fulfillment of so many prophecies and clear signs from God, they set about to proclaim the Gospel message. Although the Gospel spread across the Mid East into Europe and Asia as the faithful shared the good news, as warned by the same prophets and the Spirit, they met severe challenges.  

Both the pagans and the established Jewish leadership balked, challenged and resisted the message these early disciples and Apostles brought. History tells us that of the 12 Apostles, only John escaped a martyr's death - and he was imprisoned and exiled. Peter was crucified in Rome and Paul was imprisoned and later beheaded for daring to share the message of Christ. To say it was unpopular and strongly resisted by both the pagan and the in power religious hierarchy of the day is an understatement.

In the Book of Acts is recorded the death of Stephen, who dared to proclaim his faith and the Gospel in Jerusalem. The Sadducees - who ran the Temple establishment - and the Pharisees - who ran the local Synagogues - though they hated each other united in their desire to stamp out the Gospel. And so Stephen was reviled, arrested and stoned to death for daring to preach Christ.

Today, martyrs still exist in many lands where the Gospel is seen as a threat, and while stoning or beheading is not as common, martyrdom in various forms is still prevalent from those whose power, prestige, and ability to manipulate the culture and the gullible is threatened. And that includes our own nation. 

  Look at the abuse modern Christians face in our own present agnostic culture in which the faith is ridiculed and the faithful cast down. Stand up for Christ and the cultural elites who see the Kingdom of God as a rival to their own kingdoms and power will challenge and seek to silence you.  

If you thought riding the Gospel Trail was going to be an easy ride as some have been told, tighten your cinch and start waking up. The "gathering" is going on and if you ride for the brand you will be challenged.

Be blessed and be a blessing.

Brother John