PERSECUTION MAY COME

#1 · October 10, 2004, 1:55 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on October 10, 2004, 1:55 pm
Posted by: spiritualdigest <spiritualdigest@...>

Dear Beloved,

PERSECUTION MAY COME

"You, however, know all about my persecutions,
sufferings - what kinds of things happened to me in
Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I
endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In
fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ
Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:10-12, NIV).

Paul and his companions were preaching in the city of
Corinth. The Lord had assured him that He had many
souls for Himself in the city, so Paul was not in a
hurry to leave the city. However, the Jews started
their opposition, accusing him of "persuading the
people to worship God in ways contrary to the law"
(Acts 18:13, NIV). They took him to the proconsul - the
political leader - of the city. However, because of its
religious connotation, the governor did not entertain
their complaint.

This was just one of the many persecutions and
sufferings of Paul and his companions. He chronicled
them in his epistles (1 Corinthians 4:9-11; 2
Corinthians 1:8-10; 4:8-11; 11:23-28; 2 Timothy
3:10-12). It seems the Lord had pre-planned all these
persecutions and suffering for him (Acts 9:16),
however, as he confessed in 2 Timothy 3:11, "the Lord
rescued [him] from all of them" (NIV).

The Lord has called each of us into this ministry of
reconciliation. He backs His call with many promises
that assure us that He is with us (Matthew 28:19-20; 1
Thessalonians 5:24). Nevertheless, persecutions may
come. "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life
in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12,
NIV. See also John 16:33; Acts 14:22; 1 Thessalonians
3:3-4; 1 Peter 2:20-21).

In spite of this, we should not be afraid of any
opposition or persecution. When persecution comes, we
should remember that God knows how He will deliver us
from such persecution (1 Peter 5:10; 2 Peter 2:9). When
He does, we become stronger and purer in our faith (see
1 Peter 1:6-9).

Therefore, stand fast in the ministry God has called
you into. He depends on you, and he will not let you
down.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

_________________________________________________
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Posted by: spiritualdigest <spiritualdigest@...>

Dear Beloved,

PERSECUTION MAY COME

"You, however, know all about my persecutions,
sufferings - what kinds of things happened to me in
Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I
endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In
fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ
Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:10-12, NIV).

Paul and his companions were preaching in the city of
Corinth. The Lord had assured him that He had many
souls for Himself in the city, so Paul was not in a
hurry to leave the city. However, the Jews started
their opposition, accusing him of "persuading the
people to worship God in ways contrary to the law"
(Acts 18:13, NIV). They took him to the proconsul - the
political leader - of the city. However, because of its
religious connotation, the governor did not entertain
their complaint.

This was just one of the many persecutions and
sufferings of Paul and his companions. He chronicled
them in his epistles (1 Corinthians 4:9-11; 2
Corinthians 1:8-10; 4:8-11; 11:23-28; 2 Timothy
3:10-12). It seems the Lord had pre-planned all these
persecutions and suffering for him (Acts 9:16),
however, as he confessed in 2 Timothy 3:11, "the Lord
rescued [him] from all of them" (NIV).

The Lord has called each of us into this ministry of
reconciliation. He backs His call with many promises
that assure us that He is with us (Matthew 28:19-20; 1
Thessalonians 5:24). Nevertheless, persecutions may
come. "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life
in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12,
NIV. See also John 16:33; Acts 14:22; 1 Thessalonians
3:3-4; 1 Peter 2:20-21).

In spite of this, we should not be afraid of any
opposition or persecution. When persecution comes, we
should remember that God knows how He will deliver us
from such persecution (1 Peter 5:10; 2 Peter 2:9). When
He does, we become stronger and purer in our faith (see
1 Peter 1:6-9).

Therefore, stand fast in the ministry God has called
you into. He depends on you, and he will not let you
down.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

_________________________________________________
FindLaw - Free Case Law, Jobs, Library, Community
http://www.FindLaw.com
Get your FREE @JUSTICE.COM email!
mail.Justice.com