Blessed Through Persecution

Have you been persecuted? Have you been made fun of because of your faith in Christ? Have you been left out or uninvited because of it? Have you been beaten for it? Have you had your house demolished or your church burned because of your faith in Jesus?

Few of us in the western world have suffered beatings or demolishing of property because of our faith. Many of us have faced ostracization because of it. Persecution for our faith is common, even if we do not see it. We have become immune to it or hardened by it.

If we spend time thinking about it, nearly every one of us can think of a time we have been left out because of our faith, or we remember having not spoken of our faith for fear of being made fun of, or we do not change our behavior as faith requires for fear our friends will notice a difference in us, or we do not stand up for someone else, or we are the one who suffers being ostracized. There are many situations or circumstances in which we are persecuted without even acknowledging it. We have become blind to it.

There are others in this world who are beaten, stabbed, shot, tortured, and killed for their faith. Some have suffered their homes being destroyed after they were physically dragged from them. Some has witnessed their church building being burned to the ground. Some have been thrown in prison on false accusations or simply because Christianity is against the law of their country.

James tells his audience those who persevere through such trials are blessed. He is not talking about persevering through trials of two-a-day football practices but the trials of our faith. When we stand in our faith and withstand the persecution others shower upon us (even our friends at times), we are blessed by God.

I pray we all stand strong in our faith. I pray we withstand any persecution that comes our way. I pray each one of us turns to God when facing trials and ask him to strengthen us to withstand them. Hold on to your faith. Persevere through trials. Turn to God for strength. Know that God will bless you.

James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Faith and Blessings

How long has God desired to bless you? How long have you declined to take him up on his offer? Do you desire to be blessed by God? Do you know how God blesses you? Do you know the blessings that await you? Will you put your faith in him and receive his blessing?

Receiving a blessing from God is not hard, but it can be challenging. Receiving God’s blessing doesn’t require much from us, but it requires the most important part of us. Receiving God’s blessing may not magically fix everything, but it will give us what we long for most.

God stands ready to bless us in many ways and at all times. Don’t mistake this for a promise that you will never suffer through difficulties or that everything will be rosy. But you can count on God to be with you every step of the way, blessing you through whatever it is you go through.

To receive God’s blessing, we must give him our heart. We must trust him. We must put our faith in him. Faith is not merely believing but includes a trust that God is always there. Faith includes acting based on our belief. Sure, it starts with belief, but it does not end there. Belief and action make up our faith.

God blesses us with many blessings, including peace, comfort, mercy, grace, an inheritance, being filled, joy, love, reward, and being called his children. These blessings come in many forms and often unexpected. To see these blessings, we must open our eyes to God working in us. It may require us asking him to reveal his works multiple times before we begin to see them. But it is well worth our time and asking so that we see.

I pray we all put our faith in God. I pray we seek to receive his blessings. I pray each one of us will ask God to open our eyes to see his blessings and increase our faith. Desire God to bless you. Put your faith in him. Believe in and act with God. Ask God to open your eyes. See his blessings.

Galatians 3:7-9 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Blessed and Forgiven

What is your view of God? Do you think he has changed over time? Do you or have you had the opinion that God was an angry God in the Old Testament? Have you spent time studying the stories of the Jews? Have you taken time to understand what God was doing?

If you have been a Christian for very long, you have likely heard the opinion or had the opinion yourself that God was angry with the Jews quite often. You have heard that he wiped out the enemies of Israel. You may think God acts based on emotion rather than with righteousness.

Unfortunately, these half-truths and false narratives are told about God by those who have not taken time to study God’s Word. They may not have even stepped foot into a Bible study. In fact, they are very much like a bad rumor that keeps being repeated. They are spread to make a case for someone to reject God.

Of course, as we may have heard, God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His nature has not, nor does it change. God has always desired bringing all people to him. He has blessed people throughout history, while also punishing those who oppose him. The heart of God is that of a loving Father who cares for his children.

King David recognized God’s blessings and forgiveness when he wrote the thirty-second Psalm. He had been the recipient of God’s blessings and forgiveness. He knew that when God forgave someone of their sin, it was no longer held against them. He knew that God’s requirement was to be in covenant with him. David was in covenant, had committed sin, and had been forgiven. The same is true today. If we are in covenant with God and repent of our sin, God forgives us.

I pray we all remain in covenant with God. I pray we repent of our sin. I pray each of us understand that God blesses us, forgives us, and loves us as a loving Father loves his children. God is the always the same. God has not changed. God loves you. God will forgive you. Remain in covenant with God. Hold on to your faith.

Psalm 32:1-2

Blessed is the one 

whose transgressions are forgiven, 

whose sins are covered. 

Blessed is the one 

whose sin the Lord does not count against them 

and in whose spirit is no deceit.

Eternal Blessings

Have you thought that you will not receive all blessings in this life? Do you know that some blessings will come in the future? Do you know that some blessings are not realized until you have gone to your eternal home? Does that seem odd to you?

We often want our blessings in the here and now. We want to reap the reward for doing good immediately. We don’t want to wait. We don’t want to look toward some unknown future date. But not all blessings come to us in the here and now. Some are realized in eternity.

Are we willing to give now knowing that we will not receive our reward until eternity? Based on my observance of humanity…no, we are not. Sure, some folks will give now and not worry one iota about when the reward comes. But most people want a reward today. In fact, much of our society is uninterested in doing anything (and I do mean anything), unless they know there is a reward coming upon completion of their task.

God doesn’t always work the way we think he should. However, it is our own way of thinking that is at fault. If we are doing good for someone else and seeking an immediate reward for doing it, we are not doing it for them at all. We are doing it for ourselves, what we can gain from it. As we all know, that is not in accordance with God’s way of things.

So, challenge yourself to change your way of thinking. Start playing the long game rather than the short game. Start looking toward the reward you will receive at some distant point in the future rather than looking for what you will receive today or tomorrow. God will bless us for carrying out the tasks he wants us to do. Jesus has told us he will. Let’s trust Jesus at His Word.

I pray we all choose to do what God wants us to do. I pray we do not look for an immediate reward. I pray each one of us puts our sights on the eternal reward rather than the here and now. Do what is right. Do what God desires. Do not worry about rewards. Know that God will reward you in his time. Know there will be eternal rewards.

Luke 14:13-14 “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Blessed by Covenant

Have you been blessed and wonder why? Have you wondered if God has shown you favor or if you were just lucky? Do you know why you were in the right place at the right time? Have you thought about where that blessing came from, where it originated?

It is likely we all have been at the right place at the right time. We may have thought, “I was really lucky being here just now.” It may have meant getting our dream job. It may have meant getting a bargain on a vehicle. It may have meant finding the perfect house.

Perhaps we should believe that God has put us just where he wanted us rather than it being mere luck or happenstance. Perhaps we should give the credit to God for our good fortune. Perhaps we should remember that God has blessed generations of people through his grace and mercy. Perhaps we should understand that we have been blessed by God’s work through Abraham thousands of years before Jesus was born.

Notice what the Apostle Paul tells the church in Galatia. He says it is faith that makes them children of Abraham. It is faith that also makes us children of Abraham. You see, being children of Abraham is another way of saying we are children of God. It is our faith in Jesus, in God, that makes us his children. Why? Because of the covenant God made with Abraham.

We are blessed because of the covenant God made with Abraham. He continued that covenant with Isaac, Jacob (Israel), and David. He continued that covenant through Jesus. God’s intent all along was to bless every person in the world. However, the message did not spread from Abraham as God desired. It took Jesus and Him sending the apostles into the world to spread God’s message. We are blessed because of that message.

I pray we all realize why we are blessed. I pray we put our faith in Jesus. I pray each one of us accept the covenant that started with Abraham and culminated with Jesus and accept God’s blessing. God blesses you. God acts in the world. Put your faith in Jesus. Accept God’s blessing.

Galatians 3:7-9 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Count Your Blessings

Do you wonder if you are blessed? Does it feel like there are times when you are not blessed? Wouldn’t it be nice to know you are blessed at all times? Do you know you are blessed? What if you were to count your blessings? Do you think you would be able to count them all?

For those of us who believe in Jesus, we are blessed. We may feel as though we are not at times. We may wonder if God has left us on our own. However, our view is shortsighted and limited. We cannot see all that God sees. We do not know all things like God does.

Jesus tells Thomas that he is blessed because he sees. Thomas was one of the many who saw Jesus after He had risen from the grave. He was one of those people who would not believe unless he had seen it with his own eyes. We still have many of them around us today.

But Jesus continues and says blessed are those who have not seen but still believe. Who is He talking about? Us! We have not seen Jesus in person. We have not stood directly in front of Him. But as we believe, we are blessed. How are we blessed? In more ways than we can count. Perhaps not that they are so numerous but that they often are taken for granted.

It is because of Jesus that we are free of this world’s desires. It is because of Jesus that we have hope. It is because of Jesus that we know where we will spend eternity. We could continue with the very breath we breathe, the talents we have, our ability to perceive, and the joy we experience. We have been blessed.

I pray we all recognize we have been blessed. I pray we give Jesus the credit for our blessings. I pray each one of us spends a little time counting our blessings and praising God for them. Know that you are blessed. Continue your belief in Jesus. Give thanks to God. Thank Jesus. Count your blessings.

John 20:29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Same Mind, Same Purpose

Which team do you think wins? The team with the same purpose or the team divided? Which team would you prefer to be on? Do you believe the same principle applies to the body of Christ? Are you willing to focus on the purpose Jesus gave to us?

Some of us may be watching the football playoffs. We may see one team appear to be functioning more like a team, operating as though they are one body. Everything they do is synchronized. The team that functions as one usually wins.

As the body of Christ, we are called to function as one. It starts with being of the same mind. Not just any mind, but the mind of Christ. We are to go about God’s work with the same purpose. That purpose is to tell others about Jesus, about His saving grace.

But notice what Paul writes to the church in Corinth. There have been divisions among the members. He is appealing to them to come together as one. The tireless apostle knows that in order to be effective for Christ, the body must come together in both mind and purpose.

The same is true today. We, the local church, must come together to focus on the same purpose and with the same mind. The body of Christ within our city must do the same. The global church must also be of the same mind and purpose. What is our purpose? To make disciples of Jesus Christ.

I pray we all come together for the same purpose. I pray we have the mind of Christ. I pray each one of us will accept the mission Christ gave us, to make disciples of Him. Be of the same mind. Be of the mind of Christ. Go about the same purpose. Go about God’s work. Go to make disciples.

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.

Complete Unity

What does unity mean to you? Are you willing to stick together through thick and thin? Are you willing to overlook shortcomings to remain unified in purpose? Will you seek to train your mind to focus on what is most important? Will you choose to focus on the reason for living?

Depending on what organization, team, or profession we are involved in, we may hear different takes on unity. A charitable organization may call for a unified front to feed those who are hungry. A team may focus on working together as one to win a championship. A company may call for unity to improve their product.

Unity is a unique mindset. It doesn’t require us to agree on all things. It does require us to be committed to what is most important for the group. A military unit can be unified on one task for a time and on another task at a different time. For instance, a unit may be sent to assist with disaster recovery for a few weeks, then sent into a combat situation. These are two very different tasks. However, the unit is unified in focus. Why? They are committed to their brothers and sisters in arms.

We, too, must be committed to our brothers and sisters—brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus prayed that ALL His followers would be unified in Him. Complete unity is not just a commitment but being of the same mind and same purpose. It requires us to stay focused on who is most important—Jesus Christ.

Our focus can drift to our personal preferences. It can drift to our favorite activity. It can overcome by worry over health, finances, relationships, or any number of situations. Jesus didn’t pray that we be unified when we agree, or everything is going along fine. He prayed that we be in complete unity, which means at all times, no matter what the situation.

I pray we all commit to be unified in Jesus. I pray we seek to keep our focus on Him in every situation. I pray each one of us will show the world what it means to be unified is Jesus. Love one another. Care for one another. Focus on Jesus. Make Jesus most important in your life. Be unified in Him.

John 17:22-23 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Foolishness Became Wise

Have you thought it would be nice to see a person who thinks they know everything be humbled? Have you wanted to tell them they are not as smart as they think they are? Do you know that is exactly what God has done? Do you know God has made the weak overcome the strong?

We come across know-it-alls in our lives. They are constantly telling everyone how much they know and correcting others. They come across as being cocky and conceited. Those types of people infuriate us. However, we may also appear to be the same to others.

Let’s set things straight right off the bat. There is nothing wrong with being smart. There is nothing wrong with correcting someone who is in the wrong. There is nothing wrong with physical strength. There is nothing wrong with making wise decisions. What is wrong is allowing being gifted by God with intelligence or physical strength to go to our head. We did not create ourselves, God did.

God has used what appears to be foolish to shame those who think of themselves as being wise. When? When Jesus went to the cross and rose on the third day. To go to the cross was shameful, humiliating, and downright horrific. Yet, God used it to provide a perfect sacrifice for our sinful ways. Only those who are willing to accept the shame of the cross are wise in the eyes of God.

God chose to be weak by coming in the form of a human, living in his creation. Through the weaking of humanity God displayed his strength by rising to life again. Through sacrificing himself and rising again, he gave life to everyone who will accept him. How amazing is that?!

I pray we all see the wisdom of God. I pray we recognize the strength God displayed through weakness. I pray each one of us accept the foolishness of God over the wisdom of the world. Accept God’s wisdom. Accept God’s strength. See that God is amazing. Choose God over the world.

1 Corinthians 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

God’s Mercy at Work

Are you looking for a change? Do you want to change your life for the good? Has your life changed for the good? Were you previously a disobedient person chasing after worldly pleasures but now a much more settled person? Is there a reason for the change?

As we go through life, we often experience changes. Some changes are behavioral while others are physical. The behavioral changes are often more profound. They may include a complete reversal of behavior and attitude. They may occur suddenly or over the course of several years.

Paul writes to a friend of his, Titus, to provide some guidance for establishing a solid church on the island of Crete. In his letter, he gives some practical advice for behavioral changes. He tells Titus to remember that they had once chased after worldly pleasures and were disobedient to God. It was not that they changed on their own, but God had changed them through his mercy.

If we are continuing to be disobedient and continuing to chase after worldly pleasures and want to change, we also must turn to God and rely on his mercy. God’s mercy does not include only forgiveness of sin. It includes him taking time to mold us into the person he designed us to be. God didn’t create us to be miserable, to be slaves to sin, to be seeking temporary pleasures. He created us to seek eternal joy, be obedient to him, and serve him.

Much like Paul reminded Titus to look at their past and use it to remind those they were serving that change for good came from God, we should do the same. Occasionally, we should look at our past, evaluate where we were and where we are now. It encourages us to continue walking the path God has set us upon. It also reveals the mercy God has shown us.

I pray we all choose to change for the good. I pray we ask God to shed his mercy on us and change us. I pray each one of us will evaluate our past and continue pursuing the path God desires for us. Seek positive change. Ask God to make the change. Pursue God’s path. Evaluate your past. See how God has been merciful to you. Be encouraged by God’s mercy.

Titus 3:3-5 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.