Persecution

August 29th – Acts 5:41

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Acts 5:41

When the Council of Pharisees and the chief priests had Peter and the apostles beaten for spreading the message of Jesus, you’d think they would have stopped preaching. But instead, bloodied and bruised, they rejoiced for being worthy of suffering for the Lord. As Christians we risk persecution and even physical safety for sharing the gospel. Yet like Peter, instead of defeating us, it should empower us to stand firm in faith. For God tells us to consider it a great blessing to suffer and identify with our Savior. Because the Enemy saves his greatest attacks for the strongest of Christians. Those who are actively working for God in expanding His kingdom. The last thing he wants is for us to share the Good News of Jesus and rip souls out of his hands. But that’s what we are called to do, and we need to have courage and determination to serve God above all else. So rejoice when you have the honor of suffering for Jesus, the One who suffered to save you!

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August 22nd – Matthew 5:12

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Matthew 5:12

Proverbs 10:18 says, “He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool.” Throughout history Christians have been falsely accused of many things. Cannibalism, treason, immorality, and fanaticism were just a few. And Jesus Himself was the recipient of many unfounded and ridiculous accusations, for many were His enemies. It hurts when we find ourselves on the receiving end of other people’s lies and rumors. Yet Jesus tells us when we are mistreated for our faith, to “rejoice and be exceedingly glad.” Literally translated this means that when we are persecuted we should, “leap for joy”! Because just like God’s prophets before us, our reward in heaven will be greater than we could ever imagine! It’s hard to see our reputations dragged through the mud as a blessing. But one day as we stand at the side of a Jesus, our victory will be complete and the critics silenced forever!

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Keep Fervent in Your Love – 1 Peter 4

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1 Peter 4

Some people mistakenly believe that being a Christian gives you a “get out of jail free card” when it comes to the trials of life. But adversity is a result of living in a fallen world, and believers aren’t immune from the pain of suffering. And in this chapter, Peter tells us that as Christians not only are we not to be surprised when facing persecution, we are to rejoice when we suffer for our faith. …

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February 7th – Matthew 5:44

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Matthew 5:44

Loving those who love us is easy. But Jesus calls us to go beyond that and love those who are against us. The Lord came and suffered horrible persecution at the hands of those He came to save. Yet even with His dying breath He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Christ came to love the unlovable, including us. And out of thankfulness for His unmerited love, we too need to extend that same love to others. And who knows. Someday the one you call your enemy, may just turn out to be come your greatest friend in Christ!

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