Friday, October 25, 2024

Encouragement for the Persecuted

Prayer – Lord, there are people around the world who are persecuted because of their belief in You, and we’ve been warned that there are days ahead where we will likely be mistreated and harassed because of our faith. I’m holding onto the promise that You will never leave us or forsake us…so I can endure whatever comes my way—because of You. I can do all things through You, Christ, because You give me strength. Help me to help others as we face the coming days. 


Dear brothers and sisters, we can't help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. We proudly tell God's other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you. And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don't know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him. So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:3-12

 

Meditate. Consider God’s provision in scripture.

 

Are you being persecuted?

            Times may be tough ahead of us…but as Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, just as to us, God will use us for His glory. We need to continue to be obedient. Those who don’t know the Lord and those who don’t obey will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. No fun—no feast with the Lord for them. It will be utter darkness for eternity. How devastatingly heartbreaking. So, as Paul’s hope for the Thessalonians, my hope for all reading this post is that you know the Lord God as your Savior, that our God enables you to live a life worthy of His call, giving you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

            The choice is ours today…choose God. Choose to obey.

 

Verses of Salvation ~ I have heard all about you, LORD. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy. ... Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! Habakkuk 3:2, 17-18

 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

It’s Friday. What is on your table…or menu plans for today? Is it time to order a pizza or go to a local restaurant?

We were traveling recently and hoped to visit a great seafood buffet—but it had briefly closed due to norovirus. It was open again…but was it safe to eat there? Ugh! Like any other virus, that is one that I certainly want to avoid. According to the trusted Mayo Clinic website, the norovirus can last weeks on a surface and people can carry the virus without any symptoms. They recommended washing your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds and reported that even hand sanitizer doesn’t kill the virus. Yes—ugh! We didn’t go to that buffet…and avoided others in that area, too. No matter where you go…or what you eat, cleanliness is next to godliness. Through Moses, God taught the Israelites the importance of hand washing—but the Pharisees took it to the extreme.

Just wash your hands before you prepare food or eat. Safety first.

 

© 2024 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm

 

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