20150916 DOES LIFE HAVE YOU DOWN?

DOES LIFE HAVE YOU DOWN?

Matthew 9:1-2 Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to His own town.  (2)  Some people brought to Him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Be encouraged, My child! Your sins are forgiven."

I stopped here today because I believe that gratitude is one of the most important attitudes for any and all believers. Here is a man who is paralyzed and Jesus says this to him. Are you encouraged by the fact that you have been forgiven?

There are times in life when it seems that everything is falling apart around us. We may lose our jobs, our loved ones, our health, but no one can take the forgiveness of Jesus Christ from us. That, sometimes, may be all the encouragement you have to hold onto. So I urge you to get this, to grasp it, cling to it and practice it. Yes, practice gratitude for the forgiveness of sin. Because of our sin we deserve hell. Because of our sin we do not deserve life, or air, or water, or food, or clothing. We deserve hell… but in Jesus we are forgiven, we are justified, made just as if we never sinned before God’s sight.

Be Encouraged.

Father in heaven, thank You for the forgiveness of sin. Let that truth sink deep into our hearts and minds. Cause it to sing from our lips and shine in our countenance no matter what the day may bring. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

PERSECUTED FOR DOING RIGHT

PERSECUTED FOR DOING RIGHT

Matthew 5:10-12 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.  (11)  "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.  (12)  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.

Jesus explains this beatitude and with it gives a command, that being, “Be happy about it! (‘it’-persecution for doing right).” And “Be very glad!” Then He gives this reason for such rejoicing, there’s a great reward.

I don’t like the idea of being persecuted, tortured or killed because I’ve done something right… “Right,” when we hear that word in the USA we tend to think of “my rights” instead of doing something righteously. Everything about the Sermon on the Mount goes against fighting for “my rights.” God’s way is so much different from ours and yet this is what Jesus was talking about when he said, "You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32.

We have yet to see real persecution in this country, but it may not be far off. How will you handle it? Will you be able to rejoice when people mock you, lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you follow Christ? Will you be happy about it or will you sulk in self-pity?

The second time Peter and John were arrested for preaching the Gospel they were flogged. Take a look at their response. Acts 5:41-42  The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.  (42)  And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: "Jesus is the Messiah."

They obeyed the Lord’s command to rejoice and they kept right on preaching the Gospel. May God grant us that kind of obedience and faith. May our eyes be set on the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ and on the reward that awaits us in heaven.

Father in heaven, grant us faith and obedience to rejoice when we are persecuted for doing right. May we always choose to do right regardless of the cost. And may You ever be glorified in our lives. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!