Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Facing Persecution...Think on These Things...Be a Doer

Facing Persecution

John 15:20

          People will reject you just as they rejected Jesus and Paul and the other apostles and disciples. It is especially difficult when you are persecuted by people who are living wrong and are saying wrong things about you. Psalm 118:22 says, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” This passage is talking about David who was rejected by the Jewish rulers, but later was chosen by the Lord to be the ruler of Israel. In Matthew 21:42 Jesus quoted this verse to the chief priests and the Pharisees, referring to their rejection of Him as the Son of God.

          Even though people may reject you, if you will hold steady and continue to do what God is telling you to do with a good attitude, God will promote you and place you where no man can put you.

 

 

Think on These Things

Philippians 4:8

          Many years ago my philosophy was, “Don’t expect anything good to happen, and then you won’t be disappointed when it doesn’t. Since my thoughts were negative, so was my life.

          Perhaps this describes you. You avoid hope to protect yourself against being hurt. Unfortunately, this type of behavior sets up a negative lifestyle where everything seems to go wrong.

          Maintain a positive outlook and attitude. Speak positive words. Jesus endured tremendous difficulties and yet He remained positive, He always had an uplifting comment, and encouraging word. You have the mind of Christ, so begin to use it. If He would not think it, you shouldn’t think it either.

 

 

Be a Doer

James 1:22….be doers of the Word

          Any time you see what the Word says and refuse to do it, reasoning has somehow gotten involved and deceived you into believing something other than the truth. There may be times when you do not understand everything the Word says, but you should move ahead and do it. God wants you to obey him whether or not you feel like it, want to do it, or think is a good idea. When God speaks we are not to question His methods. His ways are not our own.

          Proverbs 3:5 says, “Lean on, trust in, and confide in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.” In other words, do not rely on reason or logic. When God speaks, we are to mobilize, not rationalize.

 

 

 

No comments: