THE WAR AGAINST THE SAINTS
                                                                                                           
                                     By Jan Markell

                                December 15, 2010

Can I speak from the heart? I am trying to be positive in spite of the fact that wind chill temps here in Minnesota likely resemble the temps on Mars or Saturn. Houses and cars are buried in snow. Our famous domed football stadium made national news as it couldn't even survive the onslought of snow and cold so we Minnesotans wish the global warming myth were true. 

But if you hadn't noticed, the saints are under particular attack these days. The trials and testings seem to never end. One writes, Due to trials, God remains a complete mystery to me. Yet thankfully we have the promise of Heaven and Christ waiting for us and the constant heart of God with us as we struggle and grieve.

Another writes, Thanks to your prompting, Jan, I try to maintain the eternal perspective and get my eyes and mind off of this earth. The enemy has come against my family but we are not giving up hope. All is, however, a great struggle.

People around the globe are waiting on God. Let none who wait on You be ashamed (Ps. 25:3). Those waiting may be sick, weary, solitary, discouraged, perplexed, and frightened. God seems silent. Some are disappointed in God.  Yes, waiting can seem like an eternity but let none of you be ashamed. 

So why are the saints being pounded? Here are some thoughts:

*  We are in the last of the last days and the enemy would render us ineffective in sharing the gospel while there is still time. If we focus on our issues only, we lose sight of the lost as well as our assignment in these last days.

* You are doing something incredibly right. You need to be stopped or at the least, rendered less effective. Your testimony must be squelched.

* God is allowing the trial so you will learn to wait on Him. Some are asked to wait for days; some for months; others, for years. In my book, Waiting for a Miracle, I had to wait 20 years to hurdle the "chronic fatigue syndrome." My ministry was interrupted and my quality of life totally tanked those years. But I did learn to wait. Finally, God intervened and removed the affliction. I do recommend this book to you if you are waiting, struggling, doubting God, and more.

* What is called the "remnant" is particularly hard hit. The remnant have a love for truth and love to pass it on. The enemy wants truth to be withheld because then one is susceptible to being deceived. The remnant is waking people up and thus the heavy guns are pointed at them. If they get distracted by trials, they are distracted from spreading both the gospel and the truth. The remnant is small in number but nonetheless, powerfully effective.

* Satan wants us all to doubt. Most today even doubt the concept of "the blessed hope" of Titus 2:13 -- the Lord's return. Take away our hope and you're one dejected, down-in-the-mouth Christian. Who would want to seek you out for anything? Your role of providing "salt and light" just turned to pepper and darkness.

* This is a fallen planet and all creation groans.  Bad things happen to good people and to God's people. Believers are not exempt from some of the worst trials and groanings. But in the end, we win. Read the last chapter.

Our love of God is linked to our love for one another -- and particularly to those who wait and who are in turmoil. Love of God is inseparably linked with love and care for the brethren.  Nothing will lighten your own personal load like reaching out to someone else and helping them ease their load.

Thank you for easing my load. Since October 1 I have had a 12-hour back surgery, a heart attack, and a hacked Web site. I have waited on the Lord! Your e-mails, notes, calls, gifts, and visits have helped so much. To be kept apprised of these issues, visit this link.  My thanks to my staff and leadership for carrying an extra load in my absence!

Thank you for your support of this ministry financially in 2010. We air our Understanding the Times radio program on 415 outlets. We are ending the year in the black and we are gearing up for 2011.

In the new year, commit to being an encourager. Try to encourage five people a week with a good word! The Bible says, Encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, be long suffering toward all (I Thess. 5:14). Heaviness in the heart of man makes him stoop; but encouragement makes him glad (Proverbs 12:25). Make someone glad even today!

In the meantime, never give up! Ask God to put another knot in the end of your rope and to help you hang on! He will.

NOTE: Our commentaries and review of the news will resume after Christmas. We apologize for the slow down but many issues have distracted us.

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Get acquainted with Understanding the Times radio, now heading into its eleventh year. We air on 415 radio outlets and you can find the syndication here. We headquarter out of AM980 KKMS and AM1280 The Patriot in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Saturday, 9 to 11 a.m. CST with replays Sunday 12 to 2 p.m. and Sunday, 8 to 10 a.m. respectively. You can always "listen live" at either of those stations.

All weekend programming is posted to our Web site at "Radio Archives" late Sunday. For podcasting info via iTunes, go here.

This weekend hear Holocaust survivor Anita Dittman relate her "best Christmas ever" -- in the concentration camp. She relates most of her uplifting and faith building story.  If you are down this time of year, Anita will lift your spirits and put things into perspective!  Jan returns to air, also.

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