"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12
We should be praying for Christians in countries where there is severe persecution. And we can "stand with them" by unashamedly facing our lesser persecutions.
Jesus warned us that genuine believers will never be popular with the world:
"If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." John 15:19
No matter how much we're hated, we can rejoice that in a small way we "participate in the sufferings of Christ" (1 Peter 4:12-13; Philippians 3:10).
And we can let our small suffering remind us of our brothers and sisters suffering serious persecution (1 Corinthians 12:26).
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I encourage you to read the 1-minute devotions in the collection: Prepared for Persecution. We are living in times when we must be prepared, dear Christians!
More of what Jesus said about the popularity of His followers:
2 Timothy 3:12: "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..."
Matthew 10:22: "You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."
John 15:24: "...they have hated both me and my Father."
Matthew 24:9: "...you will be hated by all nations because of me."
John 15:18: "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."
John 16:2: "...the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God."
💙 If you enjoy Bible Love Notes one-minute devotions, I think you'll enjoy the Bible Love Note's hardcover devotional Wisdom for Life. Check out the sales on Lifeway, Amazon, and CBD.
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More of what Jesus said about the popularity of His followers:
2 Timothy 3:12: "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..."
Matthew 10:22: "You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."
John 15:24: "...they have hated both me and my Father."
Matthew 24:9: "...you will be hated by all nations because of me."
John 15:18: "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."
John 16:2: "...the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God."
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💙 If you enjoy Bible Love Notes one-minute devotions, I think you'll enjoy the Bible Love Note's hardcover devotional Wisdom for Life. Check out the sales on Lifeway, Amazon, and CBD.I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet offering quiet time encouragement. Find out more HERE.
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