On June 27, 2006, Jerry wrote an item called "Persecuted" from 1Tim. 3:12 which reads, "All who want to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Paul had written to his young fellow-servant and believer, Timothy, that all who follow Jesus will be persecuted. Now, why would this be the case? Both in yesteryear and today?
"The scriptures remind us many times that if we are identified with Jesus, just as the world persecuted Him, they will persecute us. How could we expect anything to be different? The powers of Satan in the world don't want people to be told they're going down the wrong path, so power is let loose to persecute Christians. The worldly will love and seek after money. They may become boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, slanderers, haters, haters of good, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.(2 tim. 3:2)
"Without God, one act encourages another, and often, acts spiral down to more abusive acts than before, as that is the way evil seems to work. Only God can stop the spiraling affect by forgiving a repentant spirit.
"If my faith shines the light of Christ on those who follow the darkness of Satan, I can be sure there will be a retaliation to try to destroy me.
"Lord Jesus, Empower me when I am persecuted for you that I may never waver from my faith. Amen."
Wow! I needed to hear this again! It is hard to accept that we, very mortal people, could be dissuaded from loving Christ and to follow darkness. But, who am I but a small little pea in the great big pod of life called the world!
Lord Jesus, I pray for any who read this and for all those who follow you, that we may be so filled with your Spirit that we will not be tempted away from you toward worldliness and its followers. Help us to keep to your path and to venture out of it only to love someone who needs to be loved, helping them, praying for them, and being their friend. Help us to stay in your presence even if we are persecuted for doing what is right. Keep us close to you in right thinking and right doing. In your most Holy Name, Jesus! AMEN
See you tomorrow!
Jo INMN
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