persecution – The Scriptural Truth

Thoughts From Ephesians 6:19

“And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. [20] I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.”
Ephesians 6:19 – 20 NLT

When you think of courage, what kind of situations do you think of? Do you think of firefighters rushing into a burning building? Do you think of police officers chasing dangerous criminals? Do you think of soldiers fighting in enemy territories? Courage certainly does play a role in each of those situations. But courage is not just physical action.

Thoughts From James 1:2-3

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”
James 1:2-3

Look at these two verses real close. James does not say if you face trials, but whenever you face them. He assumes we will have trials and that it is possible to profit from them. The point is not to pretend to be happy when we face pain, but to have a positive outlook “count it all joy” because of what trials can produce in our life.

Thoughts From Job 2:7

“So Satan left the LORD’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.”
Job 2:7 NLT

Folks, suffering does not mean God has abandoned you. At times we may actually suffer more than unbelievers because we follow God and become Satan’s special target. Yes, we may have to endure hardship, persecution, or testing, and this was the case with Job. We must be prepared for Satan’s attacks. When we suffer, we must not conclude that God has abandoned us. God did not abandon Job, and He will not abandon us. Remember, consistent faith is the way to defeat Satan.

Is There Help?

Sometimes our burdens seem more than we can bear, and we wonder how we can go on.

We all carry some type of burden, whether it’s the heavy burden of sin, the burden of not being able to handle the concerns, problems, worries that life throws at us, the burden of excessive demands of religious leaders, the burden of oppression and persecution, or the burden of weariness in the search for God.

Yes, when we are burdened or mistreated, we may feel defeated, but we don’t have to be defeated. God can help us carry burdens!

Thoughts From 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

As I was reading 2nd Corinthians today, these verses from chapter one stood out. In this passage Paul talks about how God comforts us through all our troubles and suffering. And with the comfort God gives us we will be able to comfort others. But there is one thing we must do to receive God’s comfort, look at verse 9. Folks, we must stop relying on ourselves and learn to rely only on God! It’s that easy, turn your troubles, whatever it may be, and let God handle it.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. [4] He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. [5] For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. [6] Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. [7] We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.