Wednesday November 18th, 2020
Memorize: Matthew 5:10 GOD’S WORD® Translation (GWT)
« Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what God approves of. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. »
Read: Mark 10:29-30 New King James Versions (NKJV)
29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s,
30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.
Message:
When the departure time of our Lord Jesus drew near, He told His disciples such things as would befall them, so they would not be caught unawares.
The fact that the disciples would suffer hatred was central to this particular discussion.
John 15:20NIV says:
« Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. »
Jesus warned His disciples ahead that the world would hate them because it had hated Him first.
Jesus suffered hatred in the form of defamation, misrepresentation, rejection, harassment, assault, abuse, crucifixion and finally, murder.
In essence, Jesus made it clear that His disciples should be prepared to receive similar treatment from the people.
This prophecy was not limited to those physically present with Him at that time, but applies to all who will come after Jesus and live as true disciples.
Christians are presently suffering untold hardship, insecurity, harassment, brutality, assault and murder in various parts of the world. Indeed,
Jesus said that a time was coming when a person would kill a Christian and consider it a favor to God .
John 16:2
If you are a true child of God, you should be able to declare like Paul in Philippians 3:10NLT
« I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death »
Romans 8:17 GNT says ”
«….If we share Christ’s suffering, we will also share his glory. »
lt is indeed a privilege to partake of the Lords suffering. No matter the hardship or persecution you are facing, count it all joy (James 1:2-3).
May the Lord grant you the grace to overcome in times of persecution. The Kingdom of Heaven is for those who partake in His suffering. You will surely make it, in the mighty name of Jesus.
Prayer point: Lord, please let everyone of us sharing in Your suffering be glorified with You, in the mighty name of Jesus.
Author: Pst E. A. Adeboye.
Text edited by Naomie
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