Persecution

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, according to Your command, I speak life into Your children.  For surely, You will cause breath to enter into the dead parts of our lives and we will LIVE!  We will know that You are the LORD!  I prophesy to the breath, because the LORD God commands, 'Come from the four winds, o breath, and breathe on these slain' by hurtful people, by challenging circumstances, by negative thoughts, by lack of faith, by the troubles that come with living in this world; that we may LIVE.  And live the abundant life that Jesus came to this earth to bring, at ALL times!  Let it run over.  Thank You LORD!  You are so very present for us.  May each child saying this prayer today, take hold of Your outstretched hand in each of our directions.  In Jesus' powerful Name.  Amen.

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JESUS' MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM

Part 3 Mark 13:9-10

Persecution

⁹ “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. ¹⁰ And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

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As the early church began to grow, most of the disciples experienced the kind of persecution Jesus was talking about.  Since the time of Christ, Christians have been persecuted in their own lands and on foreign mission fields.  Though you may be safe from persecution now, your vision of God's Kingdom must not be limited by what happens only to you.  Learn about your sisters and brothers in China, who have to meet secretly in order to praise God.  And even with the danger, still pursue fellowship and learning God's Word.  Learn about missionary families who have had guns held to their heads, TODAY, for preaching the gospel of God.  In other parts of the world, our family in Christ face hardships and persecution daily.  Persecutions are an opportunity for Christians to witness for Christ to those opposed to Him.  Some may asked why do we have to go through this?  My question to that is, "Why Not?"  Look at what Jesus had to do for us.

God's desire is that the Good News be proclaimed to everyone in spite of persecution.  There aren't any guns being pointed at our heads; we don't have to meet in secret.  SO, what's keeping us from doing our appointed part in this mission, right here in our own lives?  Where is the fruit for God's Kingdom?