9-1-2023

Good Morning All,

        John 15:20; “Remember what I told you: ‘A servant isn’t greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they did what I said, they will also do what you say.”

    Persecution.  This is one of those phrases that most Christians try and avoid.  We read about China, or some Islamic country and we think it always happens there.  We think we know what persecution looks like.  We know about being imprisoned, losing jobs, being physically tortured, being shunned by other family members are just a few of these events.  This is what most of us think of when we think of persecution, and we probably think that “At least I don’t have to go through that.”  Yet maybe we should re-think that idea.  We are all persecuted.

    Persecution takes many forms.  It might be as severe as being physically beaten but it can also be a psychological or an emotional attack as well.  It can be the condescension from a co-worker because you believe abortion is a sin and should be avoided.  It can be friends who don’t understand why you don’t want to go fishing every Sunday morning, so they begin to leave you out of other activities.  Perhaps you are expected to, “not talk about your church stuff” around the office.  These are all examples of being persecuted.  Anything that causes you to question whether it is “appropriate” to show your faith, you are being persecuted.

    Sometimes persecution takes a sharper edge.  Sometimes the devil and the world aim both barrels at you and fire.  You may experience a sense of great emotional distress.  You may feel at a loss when a job disappears.  You may feel lost when relationships strain or break.  You may feel alone after talking to the doctor and he tells you he doesn’t know what is wrong.  The tests were inconclusive.  Not that all events are of the devil’s doing but he will use those events to try and cause doubt in your mind and with doubt comes loneliness.

    The devil doesn’t cause all the bad things that happen in your life; most of these things are the result of a sinful and broken creation.  Yet the devil will take all these problems and be right there to whisper in your ear that you are all alone and that God doesn’t care.  His goal is to separate you from God and his family.  It is vital to remember that you are never alone; God is always with us and when one part of the body is hurting the whole-body hurts.  So, when you feel lost or alone, all the brothers and sisters in Christ feel your pain.  All true believers pray for you and share in your pain and fears.  All of us will be persecuted by the devil and the world.  Their goal is to separate you from God but nothing, absolutely nothing can do this.  God will never forsake you; this you can count on at all times!

Dearest Father, many times I feel lost and alone and the devil persecutes me and causes me to lose hope.  Give me the strength to trust in your word.  Give me the certainty of your promise that I may continue to live in and experience your grace and comfort.  Please be with those who are being persecuted right now.  Give them strength and bring into their lives those fellow believers who will be your hands and arms.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret