Monday, March 9 – “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.” (2 Timothy 3:11) Not if, but when persecution in some way, shape or form, from this world and the people in this world, is a part of your life as a follower of Jesus. Soak in the aroma of that sentence for a moment. The good news? God will rescue you from all of it.
Tuesday, March 10 – “Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” (John 15:20) These are the words of Jesus, to his disciples, at the last supper. Why does the world persecute followers of Jesus? Because the world’s master is the world. Put yourself at the center of the universe and you’ll quickly persecute anyone or anything that seeks to replace you, at the center of the universe.
Wednesday, March 11 – “When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” (Acts 11:23) It’s impossible to overcome persecution, if you have no proof that you can overcome persecution. This is why God’s blessed us with the Bible. For the Bible is not only God’s story, it’s also our story. It’s our ability to see what the grace of God has done. Which gives us the confidence to believe in what God’s grace will continue to do.
Thursday, March 12 – “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” (2 Peter 3:14) Persecution will be a part of your life, as a follower of Jesus. What are you to do about it? When it comes to your life, be the best you that you can be, right here, right now. No hypocrisy. No bigotry. No jealousy. No pettiness. No meanness. Just you being a dearly loved, sacred, child of God. And seeing everyone else, in the exact same way.
Friday, March 13 – “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11) Here’s why you’ll be persecuted, as a follower of Jesus. Because you’ll take a stand. And the world will always come against anyone taking a stand. Unless, of course, you’re taking a stand with which the world agrees. Jesus stood against the religious establishment. Jesus stood against hate. Jesus stood against anything that separated anyone from a right relationship with God. And look what happened to him!
Saturday, March 14 – “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10) Don’t get confused, you can suffer for the right reasons. For if what you believe causes you to make bad decisions, then suffering will be the natural consequence. Persecution because of righteousness, is suffering for the wrong reasons. Suffering because you’ve taken a stand with which the world around you doesn’t agree. This weekend, examine your suffering. Is it for the right reason?
Tuesday, March 10 – “Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” (John 15:20) These are the words of Jesus, to his disciples, at the last supper. Why does the world persecute followers of Jesus? Because the world’s master is the world. Put yourself at the center of the universe and you’ll quickly persecute anyone or anything that seeks to replace you, at the center of the universe.
Wednesday, March 11 – “When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” (Acts 11:23) It’s impossible to overcome persecution, if you have no proof that you can overcome persecution. This is why God’s blessed us with the Bible. For the Bible is not only God’s story, it’s also our story. It’s our ability to see what the grace of God has done. Which gives us the confidence to believe in what God’s grace will continue to do.
Thursday, March 12 – “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” (2 Peter 3:14) Persecution will be a part of your life, as a follower of Jesus. What are you to do about it? When it comes to your life, be the best you that you can be, right here, right now. No hypocrisy. No bigotry. No jealousy. No pettiness. No meanness. Just you being a dearly loved, sacred, child of God. And seeing everyone else, in the exact same way.
Friday, March 13 – “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11) Here’s why you’ll be persecuted, as a follower of Jesus. Because you’ll take a stand. And the world will always come against anyone taking a stand. Unless, of course, you’re taking a stand with which the world agrees. Jesus stood against the religious establishment. Jesus stood against hate. Jesus stood against anything that separated anyone from a right relationship with God. And look what happened to him!
Saturday, March 14 – “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10) Don’t get confused, you can suffer for the right reasons. For if what you believe causes you to make bad decisions, then suffering will be the natural consequence. Persecution because of righteousness, is suffering for the wrong reasons. Suffering because you’ve taken a stand with which the world around you doesn’t agree. This weekend, examine your suffering. Is it for the right reason?
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
