“If you are reviled for the name of the Messiah, you are happy, because the Spirit of God and of glory rests on you” ~Peter
I should expect to be persecuted. Jesus said it. it is normal for a disciple. Why? Because following Jesus and …
Tag Archives: Persecution
“That’s when King Herod got it into his head to go after some of the church members. He murdered James, John’s brother.” ~Luke
I live in a world where popularity ratings mean so much. Consider politics. All about polling. Social media? How many …
Can we have self-control in response to persecution?
When I was a young man, we used the phrase “just suck it up”. We used it a lot. We …
Should believers expect persecution?
I should expect to be persecuted. Jesus said it. it is normal for a disciple. Why? Because following Jesus and …
“I give out good and get back evil from God-haters who can’t stand a God-lover.” ~King David
I sure feel like this some days. I do good (or at least I think I do). What do I …
Is joy experienced even in adversity?
Literally, Peter wrote, “Be constantly rejoicing!” In fact, he mentioned joy in one form or another four times in these …
I kind of grew up in the church …
I kind of grew up in the church, so to speak. It was a VERY Baptist church. Southern Baptist in …
Joy – Is it promised to me from Jesus the Messiah?
We have a great promise from Jesus the Messiah. It is joy and happiness. Jesus wants me to have joy. …
Woe — What does it mean and why does Jesus use it so much?
When we see the word WOE in the scripture, particularly when Jesus uses it, we know we better pay attention. …
Happiness — Who is it for?
I am happy. Jesus promises me that I will be. A state of pleasure or joy experienced both by people …
Persecution — Are religious authorities and elites an agency of it? Does this include the Religion of Secular Humanism and Atheists?
There is no doubt that persecution is a stark reality of living for a disciple of Jesus. For a disciple …
Church — What is God’s purpose for the called out assembly of disciples?
I’m concerned about the use of the word church. I think to believers and unbelievers it either connotes a building …
“Happy are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad!” ~Jesus
How did Jesus expect me to react under persecution? Rejoice and be glad! That is right. I’m jump up and down for …
“Before you know it, his justice will triumph; the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even among far-off unbelievers.” ~Isaiah about Jesus
I need to find more hope. God is good and in a good mood. Justice, while lacking here some days, will be done. …
“Then there’s only one thing left to do: Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ~Jesus
Where is my treasure? What is important to me? Is Jesus my Master? Jesus told us to “store up for …
Denial of Jesus — The Jewish People Rejected Jesus
Denial is the making of a conscious, informed decision not to accept Jesus as the Messiah or his claims and …
“Happy are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~Jesus
The Jesus Manifesto continues. It may seem strange that Jesus should pass from peacemaking to persecution, from the work of reconciliation …
“We don’t want the crowds up in arms” ~Religious Leaders
The religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus. They would. The religious elites just didn’t want people to be upset about …
Hope — It Can be Placed in God in the Face of Difficulty or Trial
I need to find more hope. God is good and in a good mood. Justice, while lacking here some days, will be done. …
“If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I’m leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you’ll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God” ~Jesus
So now we are down to the real issue. Jesus has laid out the case for what it takes to …
Goodness — God’s people are called on to do good works
How am I doing with being selfless on behalf of others? It is a pretty telling question if I answer …
“Exploit or abuse your family, and end up with a fistful of air; common sense tells you it’s a stupid way to live.” ~~King Solomon
There is right and there is wrong. We all know the difference. I must remember to stand up for the …
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” ~ God
What should followers of Jesus think about justice and the social justice movement? “If we take the Bible seriously then …
“What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?” ~Jesus
Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me …
“Beware … ” ~Jesus — What the New Testament has to say on deception by religions leaders
This is a series of quotes to emphasize the seriousness of deception and our responsibility to look out for it …
“There’s no telling who will hate you because of me.” ~Jesus
You’ll even be turned in by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. Some of you will be killed. There’s no telling …
I am compelled, by Jesus our Master, to drop everything that takes me away from talking and writing about the good news of life of salvation
I am compelled, by Jesus our Master, to drop everything that takes me away from talking and writing about the …
“If You’re a Christian and Everyone Likes You… Something’s Wrong” ~Sarah Domon
Jesus challenges us. He has let us know that we will be persecuted for following him and his way. It …
“You’re more than happy when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.” ~~Jesus
Jesus knows that following Him may not be a “bed of roses”. Jesus tells us about it in advance. We …
“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.” ~Winston Churchill
Should we just agree with someone to appease them and keep the peace? Jesus challenges us to speak the truth …
Pope Francis’ Speech on the Poor and Indigenous Peoples
Pope Francis spoke about the problems faced by the poor and indigenous peoples at the Second World Meeting of the …
"My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into trouble." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to be radically different from most Christians and religious types of people. It will get us in …
“If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port for ever.” ~~St. Thomas Aquinas
Safety should not be our highest aim in life. Playing it safe keeps in the never ending land of the …
“Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty.” ~Theodore Roosevelt
Not everything is easy. Many things are quite difficult. Jesus is clear that we will suffer and be persecuted. Our …
Christians are being persecuted and are in chains
Christians are being persecuted. We are so far removed from this we may forget. Please pray for our brothers and …
