John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn't in our group." "Don't stop him!" Jesus said. "No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded." Mark 9:38-41
"Anyone
who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father
who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be
given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because
of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give
even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely
be rewarded." Matthew
10:40-42
John
said to Jesus, "Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons,
but we told him to stop because he isn't in our group." But Jesus said,
"Don't stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you." Luke 9:49-50
Meditate
on these verses. For or against?
Jesus
was specific. Anyone who is not against us is for us. Are you for or
against Jesus? Jesus had already spoken about the importance of not denying
Him.
But everyone who denies me here on earth, I
will also deny before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:33
To deny
someone is pretty much being against them. Don’t stop, hinder, forbid, or refuse
that person. They are doing the right thing—casting out demons. Or maybe they
are healing, or just standing up for Jesus.
 |
| American and Jewish flags flying... on a boat at the Sea of Galilee. Israel |
We have people here in the United
States with hidden…or not so hidden agendas that want to do away with Jews and
Christians alike. When I was growing up, I heard the Russian leader Khrushchev vehemently
state that he would bury the people of the United States. Scary thought. Now,
it is those of Islamic faith that want to destroy the infidels, or idolators. Are
they considering Christians and Jews infidels? It appears so as they march
through the streets of cities in the United States, chanting about killing.
This is happening in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.
Jesus has promised that He will
never abandon us…but that we will have trials. In His last discussion with His disciples,
He told them this very thing. It is for all believers.
Jesus asked, "Do you finally
believe? But the time is coming--indeed it's here now--when you will be
scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone
because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have
peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take
heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:31-33
Have
peace in your heart. Much earlier in His ministry, Jesus spoke about persecution.
God blesses those who are
persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses
you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts
of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be
very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient
prophets were persecuted in the same way. Matthew 5:10-12
It may be
difficult to be happy…be very glad about being mocked and persecuted,
but persevere. Remember Jesus’ letter to the church at Philippi in Revelation.
Because you have obeyed my command
to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come
upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. Revelation 3:10
Hang in
there. We are in this together. Encourage others as you see the day approaching.
Don’t give up on Jesus. Be for Him. He is for you!
Prayer
– Lord Jesus, hear our prayers and give us strength to endure whatever lies
ahead for those of us who believe in You. Give us courage to stand up for You…never
to deny or forsake You. Thank You.
Verses
of Salvation as written by Paul to Timothy ~ So I am willing to endure anything
if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has
chosen. This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live
with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he
will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who
he is. 2 Timothy
2:10-13
© 2026 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.
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