Are You Ready for Persecution?
“Just remember, when the unbelieving world hates you, they first hated Me.” ~ John 15:18
“For all who choose to live godly lives as worshipers of Jesus, the Anointed One, will also experience persecution.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:12
“If you were to give your allegiance to the world, they would love and welcome you as one of their own. But because you won’t align yourself with the values of this world, they will hate you. I have chosen you and taken you out of the world to be Mine. So, remember what I taught you, that a servant isn’t superior to his master. And since they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. And if they obey My teachings, they will also obey yours. They will treat you this way because you are Mine, and they don’t know the One who sent Me.” ~ John 15:19-21
“Do not yield to fear in the face of the suffering to come but be aware of this: the devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison to test your faith. For ten days you will have distress but remain faithful to the day you die, and I will give you the victor’s crown of life.” ~ Revelation 2:10
The Lord spoke at great lengths concerning the persecution of His followers. For many countries of the world, persecution of God’s children in Christ is a daily circumstance. But for other countries the persecution of Christians is beginning to pick-up in momentum. Jesus told us that as His followers – true followers, not just head-believers – we will experience persecution. Jesus spoke it and it will occur – ready or not.
I would venture to say that all professing followers of Christ desire to “be ready” for the oncoming persecution and subsequent suffering. But how great is that desire within us? The first desire that we must have is to know and do the will of God – not our will, but His. This is a difficult pill to swallow for most people, as most of us have done things our way – or the best way that our human nature can ascertain – and only as an afterthought do we consider asking God what we should do, or even asking Him to bless “our way”. By doing life “our way” instead of seeking and doing life God’s way, we essentially drive a wedge between us and God. The Holy Spirit cannot – and will not – live within the heart of someone like this. And without the power and strength of the Holy Spirit living within us, we will not be able to stand strong in the face of persecution.
Do you want to be ready for persecution?
Daily get into the Word of God – preferably when you awake from sleep, and before starting your daily activities. Pray, listen to praise-n-worship music/lyrics, read various daily devotions from Godly men and women, Pray – did I mention Prayer? Conversation with God is key. And conversation is a 2-way street – a one-sided conversation is not conversation at all. Be still – and listen for the Lord. Ask Him questions about things that you don’t understand, or desire to have greater clarity on – and then be still and quiet – and listen. Being still and quiet is another difficult thing for us humans, and it may take some practice to accomplish this technique.
Why should I have a “quiet time” with the Lord after I wake up?
Only God knows what we will face during the course of our daily activities, and only God can adequately prepare us for those circumstances. God also desires the “first-fruits” of ourselves – this is not only monetary in nature, but time and resources as well. The “first-fruits” of our daily activities is before we do anything else during that day. By honoring God in this manner, He will bless our lives – and His blessings come in many different forms; protection, health, well-being, wisdom, strength, courage, etc.
Bottom-line is that as children of God, we need to live our lives as Christlike as humanly possible in order to be prepared for the oncoming persecution, and the only way to be more Christlike is to go to the source of this available knowledge, power and strength to draw nearer to the Lord. Only then, will the Holy Spirit from God indwell within us, and prepare us for life circumstances.
“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” ~ James 4:8
“If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are greatly blessed, because the Spirit of glory and power, who is the Spirit of God, rests upon you.” ~ 1 Peter 4:14
“How enriched you are when persecuted for doing what is right! For then you experience the realm of heaven’s kingdom. How blessed you are when people insult and persecute you and speak all kinds of cruel lies about you because of your love for Me! So, leap for joy — since your heavenly reward is great. For you are being rejected the same way the prophets were before you.” ~ Matthew 5:10-12
“If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God! True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God!” ~ James 1:12
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