Prisoner of MCS

Written Dec. 2000

II Timothy 2:9

"Wherein I SUFFER TROUBLE, as an EVIL DOER, even unto BONDS; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."

I am indeed a prisoner in bonds, Lord…a prisoner in my own body, a prisoner of MCS and isolation, a prisoner who suffers trouble because the chemicals at times are even here at home.

Paul said in I Cor. 4:12-13…"…being reviled we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intereat…" We intreat… yes, we INTREAT, but sometimes to no avail.

Lord, surely there is nothing wrong with fleeing from persecution when I can, just as Paul did when he was let down by the basket and fled from the city. But sometimes I find myself in family
situations which You have ordained and which I can do nothing about. The prison chain of chemicals in the home bind me fast, and there is nothing I can do but pray and run outside or to my room when the exposures happen. Somehow I must remember Paul and Silas' response …singing and praising God…rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." (Acts. 5:4)…"for the truth's sake" (2 Jn.2).

Lord, what is often the response when the real truth of the gospel is presented? PERSECUTION! And what is the response when the truth about chemicals and how they hurt our bodies is presented? PERSECUTION! Many don't want to hear the gospel because it demands a repentance and a new way of life. The same is true concerning the truth about chemicals! Lord, You Word says, What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you…therefore glorify God in your body…" (I Cor. 6:19-20) , and most people just can't see to do this!

Lord, the truth hurts, and so many people are in DENIAL! But I must speak the truth, remembering to do it in LOVE (Eph. 4:15) and letting my " ….speech by always with grace, seasoned with salt, that I may know how I ought to answer every man." (Col. 4:5-6)

Yes, I must suffer trouble as an "evil doer". Some consider me to be "crazy" and "extreme". DENIAL has turned into PERSECUTION! Therefore I endure all things for their sakes! Oh, Lord, please "open" their eyes! In Jesus' name. Amen!