Today's Scripture:Even if you have to suffer for doing good things, God will bless you. So stop being afraid and don't worry about what people might do.
1 Peter 3:14
You've heard of Christians in other countries who go through great danger for the sake of the gospel. Worship services are interrupted by gun-wielding militants. Christians are threatened with death if they don't renounce their faith. Christians are denied jobs and other opportunities simply because they're Christians. How about you? Have you ever suffered because someone was making fun of the gospel?
In this country, persecution is much more subtle than a machine gun.
Probably nobody's ever threatened you and demanded that you renounce your faith.
But you have, no doubt, been in situations where you're tempted to deny Christ by going along with the group, by pretending your faith was unimportant to you for the sake of fitting in. Maybe you've missed a starting position because you wouldn't skip church for a Sunday practice or game. This sort of unfairness is sometimes subtle, and many times people don't even realize when they've put you in a sticky situation, but the principle is the same: you have to decide whether or not to deny Christ and go the way of the world.
The Bible promises that if you suffer for doing good, God will bless you. If you're trading in your consistent walk for the sake of popularity or a starting spot on the team or better position at work, you're missing out on God's blessing. You've got nothing to fear from other people. Do you really fear other people's dissapproval more than you fear God's? Would you really prefer to live a life of cowardice rather than a life of blessing?
Selah people' and friends there are many worse things than being persecuted ~ whether intentionally or unintentionally ~ for your faith. Don't fear what people can do to you. You and I have God on our side.
"God's unending Peace and Joy be with you as we face critisism, not alone but with our Savior Jesus Christ who is with us all the way"
Your pastor,
Rev Muston (PreacherPatrick)
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