Success Scripture May 19, 2009

Enduring Persecution 

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." - Mark 13:13 (KJV)

"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." - John 3:20 (KJV)

EXPLORATION

Persecution is the subjection of a person or group of persons to persistent ill-treatment, sometimes, open killing only because of their faith in Christ and righteous living.

Jesus said to believers in Him "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" - Mark 13:13 (KJV)  He said again "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." - John 3:20 (KJV). It is a common saying that birds of the same feather flock together; a sinner will love and agree with another sinner. A sinner will either hate, avoid, or try to destroy a righteous man because he (the sinner) enjoys the pleasure of sin and does not want to come out of it.

INSPIRATION

Just like " ... Cain who was of that wicked one and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him ? Because his own works were evil and his brother's righteous" - 1 John 3:12. Other examples of evil men and women who persecuted children of God for the sake of righteousness are as follows:

• a) Jezebel wanted to kill Elijah because he rose against apostasy in Israel and upheld the truth. (1 Kings 19:1-3).
• b) Pashur, the chief governor of the house in the Lord, beat Jeremiah because he fearlessly pronounced God's judgment on Judah, her captivity and the death of Pashur. - (Jeremiah 20:1-2).
• c) Nebuchadnezzar sentenced Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to death because they refused to bow to the idol of gold he commanded his subjects to worship. (Daniel 3:13-21).
• d) Daniel was cast into the den of lions because he did not obey the decree of the king that nobody should pray to any other god but to him for thirty days. (Daniel 6:10-17)

The bible says: "Yeah, all that live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" - 2 Timothy 3:12. Christ in his prayer to the Father for his disciples made this remark; "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hateth them because they are not of the world"  - John 17:14. The men of the world hate children of God because they abhor the evil propensities of this sinful world. There is no cause for a believer to be discouraged or backslide because of persecution. The grace of God will uphold him/her as they remains steadfast in obeying the Lord. Jesus said: "Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended and the floods came and the winds blew and beat upon that house and it fell not : for it was founded upon a rock" - Matthew 7:24-25. Read (Romans 8:35-39, Hebrews 10:38).

We need to be determined, Jesus says: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." - Matthew 5:10-12 and Peter in his determination encourages us by saying: "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." - 1 Peter 4:15-16. While Paul says: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." - Hebrews 12:2-3.

This Week: Are you a child of God? How much does the world enjoy the way you talk, dress and conduct your life? Jesus said: "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets." - Luke 6:26  and James put it this way: "...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." - James 4:4 and finally the book of 1 John put it this way:"... Love not the world neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but of the world. And the world passeth away with the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever" -1 John 2:15-17.

Beloved, God wants to lift you up, bless you and glorify HIS holy name in your life, but you also must be able to identify with HIM. We need to see HIM as God, not as a microwave machine that whenever we need something from HIM we just press the button and "BOOM" it is done. When you identify with HIM, HE will reveal HIMSELF to you more and you will find yourself loving HIM more.  The light in the life of a believer is his righteous living. As this light shines, it shuns sin, reproves works of darkness and demonstrates the love of God in helping those in need and leading people to Christ through the gospel.

Remember: The Bible says to you: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39

We love you! 

God bless.

Bliss & Fire Network Team

Online registration is now available for exhibitors/vendors for the 2nd International Bliss & Fire Network Christian Expo 2009.

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