Persecuted For Speaking The Word Of The Lord

Jeremiah 20:7-13; John 15:18-20 KJV; Jeremiah was persecuted for speaking the Word of the Lord; Jesus was persecuted for speaking the truth; shall we be any different?

Following Jesus To Death And To Life

And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. (Matt 20:17-19 KJV)

Today, I am heading to my death. I'm going to walk right into the camp of those who want to kill me and you're coming with me. That's what Jesus told his disciples. And, they went. They followed him to Jerusalem. Only one, Judas, was not willing to participate as a possible victim. Once inside of Jerusalem, he went to the other camp. He regretted his actions and ended up in death before all of the others.

Sometimes, it is easier to take the other side. Sometimes, it might feel safer to ignore those who blaspheme the name of Jesus. Sometimes, we switch the subject and go another way instead of being willing to take up our cross and follow Jesus. 

But, is it really easier to go another way and stray from God's side? Is it really easier to lay down your cross and walk away? For the most part, the disciples did not see an option. They only knew that they wanted to follow their beloved Jesus. Yes, they all faltered at times in fear for their lives. But, in the end, all but one, picked their crosses back up and followed Jesus through the gateway of death into eternal life.

We all may get weary and afraid from time to time as we recognize that we might also become the persecuted. But, we must persevere in faithful witness to the life, death, and life of as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Follow In The Way

Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what

is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful

is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. 1 John 3:7-8

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2

If you're going to be led astray by those who would mock God and His good will for all people then stay away from them. It's as simple as that. Unless, of course, you're going to be the strong one and helps guide them on "The Way." But, that can be very wearisome to the soul. Being in the almost constant presence of those who insist on following the ways of the world; of those who insist that everything has to be done their way; can really wear the spirit out. 

For the sake of sharing the good news sometimes we have to put ourselves in those positions. But, we must also make sure that we spend much more time meditating on the word of God so that we might be refreshed and empowered to walk in "The Way."

May God protect us, that the wicked one has no power over us.

God's Peace - Pr. J