Quote from Forum Archives on July 16, 2010, 11:40 am

Posted by: feedtheflockad <feedtheflockad@...>

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<IMG id=Picture_x0020_20 alt=cid:[email protected] src="https://cdn.welovegod.org/wp-content/uploads/image001-102.jpg" width=942 height=154> This Week's Devotion    Article Headline   Ministry Links SCOM Ministry Home   Forums   Archived Devotionals   Contact Us     Message & Prayer   Comment/Feedback   Prayer Requests   Devotional Subscribe       Verse Of The Week ……If we say we have not sinned, we turn God into a liar and his Word is not in us.   1 John 1 : 10     SCOM on the Webs   FACEBOOK     TWITTER     MYSPACE     FRIENDSTER     PERSECUTION AND YOU – ARE YOU CLAIMING IT!    We love “claiming” or saying the promises of God are for me.  Well, today, I may be adding a promise that you more than likely haven’t been claiming.    Now let’s look at our main scripture for today’s devotion: I tell you the truth, Jesus replied, no-one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields – and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. - - Mark 10:29-30      Persecution defined The act or practice of persecuting; especially, the infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a particular creed or mode of worship.  In the New Testament "persecuted" comes from the Greek word dioko, which means: "to pursue" or "chase away." Over time it came to mean "to harass" or "treat in an evil manner."  Now let’s take a look at II Timothy 3:12: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12  Jesus promised us, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (Jn. 15:20) Jesus did not promise us a rosy life. He promised us suffering. This is why he calls his followers to first “take up their cross” and then to “follow” Him. In Matt. 16:24 “Jesus put the emphasis on self-denial and cross-bearing.”  Side Note: Though this statement is true, “I also believe our WORST day in Christ (as a Christian), is better than our BEST day without Christ (lost).” As we look back into the Book of Acts we see the church was getting comfortable, even though they were told in Acts 1:8 (to take the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth).  In Acts 8:1-4, persecution came and the church then spread to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, through the earth. If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matt. 16:24-5) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12     Footnote from Life Application Bible on verse 11-12:  Jesus said to rejoice when we are persecuted.  Persecution can be good because: 1.      It takes our eyes off earthly rewards. 2.      It strips away superficial belief. 3.      It strengthens the faith of those who endure. 4.      Our attitude through it serves as an example to others who follow.    Not only does Jesus imply that persecution is coming but you're blessed as a result of it. The promise we have is that when you choose to live godly lives, we can expect persecution! “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep (life) to gain what he cannot lose (eternity).”   How about you, do you know real persecution?  If not, why not?  It's promised in Mark 10:30 and II Tim. 3:12 and was (and still should be) a normal part of the true church's everyday life.   The persecuted church has always been a growing church.     Help spread God's word, please forward the devotion to as many friends and relatives as possible and encourage them to subscribe free of charge. If this was forwarded to you, you can subscribe by sending a blank email to the following address: [email protected]

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  (Matthew 9 : 36)   … Jesus said “Feed my sheep”. (John 21:17)

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