You Will Face Persecution As You Live Your Life For Christ
"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day." 2 Timothy 1:12 Paul wrote these words under the power of the Holy Spirit. He was suffering because he was sharing the gospel. As a Christ follower, we will face all kinds of battles. Our enemy does not want us to advance the kingdom of God. When you suffer for doing good, know that others around the world are experiencing the same kind of suffering. You are on the right track as you face opposition. Count it joy my friend-one day we will stand face to face with our Savior and Lord Jesus and like Paul, I want to hear Him say,"Well done, good and faithful servant!" Matthew 25:21 We were never promised a life of ease, "in fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 2 Timothy 3:12 I am not writing this to discourage you, but to encourage you to continue to live for Jesus and know that your labor is not in vain! 1 Corinthians 15:58 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up!" Galatians 6:9 We are promised that we will reap a harvest, not maybe or possibly, but will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
I think that there are too many people who think once they become a Christian, everything will just fall into place and they will never have to go through difficult times. Friend, this is not scriptural. In fact, the day you choose to follow Christ, the battle truly begins! Before Christ, you were living to please only yourself. You gave in to all sorts of evil desires. You were living in the kingdom of darkness. Once Jesus removes the veil that was over your eyes, you see clearly!(2 Corinthians 16-18) You see how wretched you were. But praise be to God-He removes all of the guilt and shame so you can be free! Free from the chains that once held you. These chains could have been wrong thinking, or some sort of addiction, lying, stealing, cheating or pride. The list could go on and on. As you choose to follow Christ, there is warfare. Keep in mind that this warfare is not against "flesh and blood (people), but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12 satan is the prince of this world. John 12:31 and he wants nothing more than to try to lure you back into sin. He knows his time on earth is short. He is no match for God so what will he do? He will try to get to God's children any way he can. He is looking for someone to devour so you must always be on your guard and be aware of his schemes. Anything that goes against God and His word, you must run from it! Stay in God's word-He will speak to you through His word and show you exactly how to live. His word will give you hope, endurance and confidence. "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:4-6
God's marvelous grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 He will give you just what you need at the right time. He will give you rest for your soul and strength when you are weary! "Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4 This is a promise that our Lord gives us. Take hold of His word and carry it in your heart! No matter what you face my friend, God is right there in your midst. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Seek the Lord and put Him first in all that you do. You my friend, as a Christ follower, have His precious Holy Spirit living on the inside of you! No one can take that away. God has chosen you before the foundation of the world, to be His! He has not brought you this far to let you go. "He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 Keep fighting the good fight of faith! Don't give up! One glorious day, Jesus will come for His own and we will get to be with Him forever in paradise. There will be no more tears, no more pain, no more suffering and no more sin. Keep heaven at the forefront of your mind as you live your life. God loves you with an everlasting love! You are beautiful and precious in His sight! He is faithful! He is true! He rejoices over you and takes great delight in you! Isaiah 62:4-5
I am praying for the one right now who is facing hard times and suffering persecution. I pray that God will reveal Himself to you in such a mighty way and that you have an overwhelming peace, the peace that only Jesus can give. He is right there with you, walking with you every step of the way.
"Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:12-13
I think that there are too many people who think once they become a Christian, everything will just fall into place and they will never have to go through difficult times. Friend, this is not scriptural. In fact, the day you choose to follow Christ, the battle truly begins! Before Christ, you were living to please only yourself. You gave in to all sorts of evil desires. You were living in the kingdom of darkness. Once Jesus removes the veil that was over your eyes, you see clearly!(2 Corinthians 16-18) You see how wretched you were. But praise be to God-He removes all of the guilt and shame so you can be free! Free from the chains that once held you. These chains could have been wrong thinking, or some sort of addiction, lying, stealing, cheating or pride. The list could go on and on. As you choose to follow Christ, there is warfare. Keep in mind that this warfare is not against "flesh and blood (people), but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12 satan is the prince of this world. John 12:31 and he wants nothing more than to try to lure you back into sin. He knows his time on earth is short. He is no match for God so what will he do? He will try to get to God's children any way he can. He is looking for someone to devour so you must always be on your guard and be aware of his schemes. Anything that goes against God and His word, you must run from it! Stay in God's word-He will speak to you through His word and show you exactly how to live. His word will give you hope, endurance and confidence. "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:4-6
God's marvelous grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 He will give you just what you need at the right time. He will give you rest for your soul and strength when you are weary! "Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4 This is a promise that our Lord gives us. Take hold of His word and carry it in your heart! No matter what you face my friend, God is right there in your midst. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Seek the Lord and put Him first in all that you do. You my friend, as a Christ follower, have His precious Holy Spirit living on the inside of you! No one can take that away. God has chosen you before the foundation of the world, to be His! He has not brought you this far to let you go. "He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 Keep fighting the good fight of faith! Don't give up! One glorious day, Jesus will come for His own and we will get to be with Him forever in paradise. There will be no more tears, no more pain, no more suffering and no more sin. Keep heaven at the forefront of your mind as you live your life. God loves you with an everlasting love! You are beautiful and precious in His sight! He is faithful! He is true! He rejoices over you and takes great delight in you! Isaiah 62:4-5
I am praying for the one right now who is facing hard times and suffering persecution. I pray that God will reveal Himself to you in such a mighty way and that you have an overwhelming peace, the peace that only Jesus can give. He is right there with you, walking with you every step of the way.
"Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:12-13
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