Thoughts For Oct 31th

Last night at Bible study we were in Acts 21 and we were discussing Paul’s persecution when went to Jerusalem and how we would would handle persecution. As I was reflecting this morning on our discussion last night what Jesus said in the sermon on the mount recorded by Matthew in chapter 5 verses 11 and 12…

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Jesus was speaking directly to His followers emphasizing that suffering for His sake is not only expected but also a sign of His blessing. Folks, persecution can come in many forms, mockery, exclusion, even serious threats. But, this isn’t a reflection of your worth or the truth of your faith. It’s an indication that you’re living out the values of the Kingdom of Heaven, which clashes with the world around us. Jesus tells us to rejoice when we are persecuted because suffering for Christ means we are aligning ourselves with Him. We’re walking the path He walked, facing the same opposition He faced, this connection deepens our relationship with Him and strengthens us to stand firm in our beliefs. Remember, when we face ridicule or persecution because of our faith, it is a badge of honor in God’s kingdom.

Y’all have a blessed evening and weekend!