Tag Archive | persecution

Rejoice in Persecution?!

Sep1

As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance (steadfastness) of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
James 5:10-11 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.5.10-11.NASB1995

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.10.NASB1995

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,
1 Peter 3:14 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.3.14.NASB1995

🌹Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:12 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.12.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Love Your Enemy

Jan28

“But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Romans 12:20 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/rom.12.20.NASB1995

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 5:44 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.44.NASB1995

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you.
Proverbs 25:21-22 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/pro.25.21-22.NASB1995

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 6:27-28 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.6.27-28.NASB1995

🌹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/rom.12.21.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

It’s Heart Conditioning

Jan20

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:14 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/rom.12.14.NASB1995

How can you bless them?

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 5:44 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.44.NASB1995

bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 6:28 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.6.28.NASB1995

By prayer we ask for God to bless them. This does two things; it puts the one you are praying for in God’s hands and secondly it humbles our heart toward our enemy. We don’t need to carry the burden of hatred, anguish, resentment, etc. Instead we overcome by the word of God and His power.

🌹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/rom.12.21.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Joyful Faith?

Aug19

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.2-4.NASB1995

who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
Hebrews 11:33-40 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/heb.11.33-40.NASB1995


How is your faith in God?

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/2co.12.10.NASB1995

🌹Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:12 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.12.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Great Reward Awaits

Jun12

He (Jesus) opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
‭Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:2, 12 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.2-12.NASB1995

As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
James 5:10 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.5.10.NASB1995

but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy.
2 Chronicles 36:16 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/2ch.36.16.NASB1995

Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become;
Acts 7:52 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/act.7.52.NASB1995

‭who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.
1 Thessalonians 2:15-16 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/1th.2.15-16.NASB1995

‭We will be persecuted for our faith but hang in there. Praise God we have a home of glory coming!!


‭Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/heb.12.1-3.NASB1995

🌹For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
1 Thessalonians 2:19 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/1th.2.19.NASB1995

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Persecuted for Christ

Jun10

He (Jesus) opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying
‭“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:1, 10 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.5.1-10.NASB1995

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,
Peter 3:14 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.3.14.NASB1995

[19] For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.
[20] For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
[21] For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
[22] who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;
[23] and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; [24] and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
1 Peter 2:19-24 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.2.19-24.NASB1995

Did you notice in verse 23, ‘Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father’?
Even while suffering he uttered no threats! What an example, of bearing up under persecution, Jesus is for us, and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.

but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
1 Peter 4:16, 19 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.4.16-19.NASB1995

‭we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 16-18 NASB1995‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/2co.4.8-18.NASB1995

The things not seen are eternal. The kingdom awaits the persecuted for the sake of Christ.

🌹Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org

Godliness Brings Persecution

Dec18

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
2 Timothy‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/2ti.3.12.NASB1995

‭‭It is not a matter of whether you will be persecuted, but when, if you are living a godly life.
Jesus, who led the perfect godly life,  was persecuted. . .

Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
John‬ ‭15:20‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/jhn.15.20.NASB1995

Have you been there? Persecuted? Then rejoice!

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:17‭-‬18‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/2co.4.17.NASB1995

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:9‭-‬10‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/2co.4.9.NASB1995

And remember . . .

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
🌹To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter‬ ‭5:8‭-‬11‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.5.8.NASB1995

‭‭Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon. https://indasharonjesus.org

Exult

Mar6

Exult: to show or feel a lively or triumphant joy; rejoice exceedingly; be highly elated or jubilant:

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; Romans 5:3 NASB

We show triumphant joy in our tribulations?!

We rejoice exceedingly in our tribulations?!

We are highly elated, jubilant in our tribulations?!

Do we, really? It is so easy to take the path of “O woe is me” when tribulation, suffering, or persecution comes. But 

. . .You have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 1 Peter 2:21‭-‬23 NASB

Jesus is our example and

If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 1 Peter 4:14 NASB

That is how we rejoice in tribulations!

Personally I have found that during times of tribulation and suffering God is the closest. I am more aware of His presence and I grow tremendously as I trust that He is doing a good work in me. And this is why I rejoice in tribulation:

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 NASB

🌹God, help us to exult in tribulation.

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon 

Gethsemane

Apr11

And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Mark 8:31 NASB

Then Jesus *came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and *said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”
Matthew 26:36‭-‬38 NASB

“Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
John 12:27 NASB


🌹Jesus. Perfect example. When troubled and deeply grieved You went to Your Father. You did not go seeking Your own way or asking to be taken out of what was coming. You went to the Father to connect, be strengthened, not forsaken. You confirmed Your calling, the purpose of Your life on earth with the Father. Before facing rejection and suffering You went to the Father. Jesus, may I be found kneeling at Your feet seeking Your strength when faced with suffering and persecution for Your name sake. Thank You for being my perfect example of what to do when facing trials, hard times, persecution, etc. In Jesus name and for Your glory. Amen.

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon 

Silent

Apr8

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.
Isaiah 53:7 NASB

Don’t you find it amazing how Jesus was verbally slandered, ridiculed, beaten, harrassed and yet . . . did not open His mouth? He is God!! And He said nothing.

Equally amazing is that all four gospels mention Jesus’ quietness.

But Jesus kept silent.
Matthew 26:63 NASB

And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. Matthew 27:12 NASB

But He kept silent and did not answer.
Mark 14:61 NASB

But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed.
Mark 15:5 NASB

And he questioned Him at some length; but He answered him nothing.
Luke 23:9 NASB

and he entered into the Praetorium again and *said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.
John 19:9 NASB

With these four eyewitnesses to the silence of Jesus, there must be a lesson here. Could it be that Jesus was content in knowing He was doing the Father’s will and that at anytime He could stop the process? Could He be showing His believers how to trust that He with the Father are in control? Could it be that Jesus was secure to trust the Father’s plan so He didn’t have anything to prove?

Jesus never tried to prove He was God. He never tried to bargain His way out of the situation. He simply trusted.

🌹God, I humbly bow before Your throne, asking that when faced with persecution, as it says in Your word, *”Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”, that I would desire to bring glory to You instead of trying to save myself. I trust You with every day of my life. Here I am, totally surrendered, simply trusting. In Jesus name, amen.

*2 Timothy 3:12 NASB

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon