If someone makes a rude comment because you’re a Christian…if they belittle or demean you for your stand for Christ – count yourself blessed! It demonstrates that the hand of God is present and involved in your life with a divine purpose. It shows that the Holy Spirit is actively dwelling within you, imparting glory…And in the eyes of God, you are honored.
Tag: jesus
Romans 8:18 ” I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Paul did not count the fleeting, temporary pain of standing up for the Gospel anything to be even considered, in sight of the future splendor Heaven and eternal life held. Rather, he rejoiced in the suffering, knowing he would soon be overjoyed by the glory.
Romans 16: 25 ” Now to Him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ…”
When someone hears and accepts the Good News of the Kingdom of God and the gift of salvation through Jesus, they are transformed. They are forever changed by the power of the Holy Spirit within, and established by God Himself eternally. But this can’t happen if they never hear the Gospel or the message of redemption…for that is our mission here on earth – to take the name of Jesus to the nations.
John 17: 20-21 ” My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.”
Jesus was praying for those who would believe in Him in the future through the words of His Disciples. This prayer, from the Upper Room, was one of the last that He prayed that night with them. Jesus was praying for the Believers to come…those who after listening and reading the Gospels would accept Jesus as their Savior. In other words – He prayed for you in mind that night.
Galatians 3:28 ” There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Jesus Christ.”
All barriers to Jesus are gone…nothing can now keep you from Him. All social, economical, or gender based limits have been abolished through the blood of Christ. There is but one flock…with one Shepherd.
I Chronicles 16:34 ” Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”
Take on a frame of mind of appreciation today for the world to see. Not just a commonplace- “Oh, thanks! You have a nice day too!” appreciation, but a gratitude for your fellow-man that will stop them short and make them curious as to what’s so special about you. That’s when you can sincerely share with them the reason for your hope and thankfulness. Have an attitude of gratitude today…it will become contagious to all those around you.
Luke 2:7 “…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
After a long and exhausting week of travel on the dusty roads between Nazareth and Bethlehem, the very last thing Mary expected was to be turned away from the only place of lodging on the edge of Bethlehem. Joseph had tried repeatedly to find a quiet place for them to spend the night, but to no avail. A strange new pain slowly overtook Mary…soon coming more quickly and sharper than before – each time taking her breath away. Her time was nearing, her anxiety increasing, and all she wanted was to be away from the crowds and all the noise. Joseph had only to look at Mary’s face and hear her moan softly to realize he needed to do something – fast. Back behind the inn was a cave where the livestock were kept, and in the back was an empty stall full of clean hay. He settled Mary in as comfortably as he could…and then waited. The miracle of birth was taking its definitive course, and to both their amazement, things moved quickly and smoothly…and soon the lusty squall of a newborn taking its first breaths could be heard filling the night air. The cattle slowly turned their heads towards the noise, all the while chewing their cuds…the sheep softly bleated in response to the tiny cries as they pushed nearer in curiosity. The image of the invisible God lay nestled in Mary’s arms…Jesus was born.
Isaiah 9:2 ” The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
The world is a dark, gloomy place…full of blackness of souls and minds. But enlightenment came, in the shape of a tiny baby born thousands of years ago, to bring life and salvation to all. The Psalmist summed it up perfectly in Psalm 36:9, ” In Your light we see light.”
Matthew 1:18 ” This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”
Joseph had the right to give Mary a certificate of divorce if he found anything indecent about her. But the angel again appeared to bring revelation to Joseph’s confused and betrayed mind before he did anything rash. During this “God dream”, the angel gave Joseph details, even down to the name he must call the baby, thus quelling and vanishing all Joseph’s doubts and fears concerning his Mary.
II Peter 1:16 ” We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.”
Simon Peter had lived, traveled, and spent three years with Jesus. He had no need to make up tales about what he saw and heard…those times were burned in his memory forever. And besides, any fabricated stories wouldn’t be able hold a candle to all the miracles and wonders he saw firsthand and experienced.
Safetypinlove 