Hate

This word, “hate” is common in the West these days. It is usually applied to those who don’t agree with Progressive agendas or who are followers of Christ. This word hurts when applied to us who are Jesus’ disciples because it is not what we want to be. Yet, Jesus tells His followers that this is the way it will be.

“You will be hated by all because of My name …” (Matt. 10:22).

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own, but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” (Jn.15:18-19)

Take a few minutes to ponder Jesus’ words.

How does it make you feel to be hated?

What does Jesus want you to do when you are hated?

Consider reading Matt. 10:16-33 and other passages that come to mind as you reflect on these questions.

As Paul says, “in the last days, difficult times will come.” (2 Tim. 3:1)

Maranatha,

Guest Post: In the Beginning

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Guest post from my good friend Pierre.

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“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1)

The Bible is crystal clear, despite the scriptural assaults of the modern and postmodern (mostly western) world.

“In the beginning God” says the Word of God.

Because God is “in the beginning,” He created heavens, earth, you and me.
Because God is “in the beginning,” He hovered over the surface of the waters to shape a formless and void world.
Because God is “in the beginning,” He spoke and light was and still is.
Because God is “in the beginning,” He is actively shaping, reconstructing and restructuring your life, my life, our lives to fit His glorious plan.

There was hope yesterday, there is hope today, still there will hope be tomorrow because God is “in the beginning.”

No sphere of life falls out of His sovereign control.
No part of Human History neither.

“In the beginning God” is a great scriptural reminder that we cannot achieve anything by our own.

Paul summarized it this way: “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6, ESV).

Without God we are useless, helpless, hopeless people and unable ministers.

Questions to ponder:

• Was God “in the beginning” of my day when I woke up?
• Was God my first thought this morning?
• Is God “in the beginning” of my service for Him today?
• Where do I need to stop, to let go and let God…be God “in the beginning?”

Surely it is the sole way to make great impacts and leave a lasting legacy behind.

Conquering Satan

I’ve been reading in Revelation these past days. Satan has so much destructive power but he faces the Lamb.

This verse reveals the power of the Saints to conquer the devil: “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (Rev. 12:11)

Think about this. All Satan can do is martyr the saints. Their defense is the blood of Christ, their testimony and their willingness to be martyred for Christ. With all his power, Satan is conquered.

I’ve been around a number of converts from Islam in recent years. What amazes me is their fearlessness to stand for Jesus before Islam. They know that this stand has great power before Satan. This is one reason why the fastest growing Church in the world is among Muslim peoples. Satan is losing the war and he knows it.

Come quickly Lord Jesus.

 

Three ‘We Knows’

We can easily lose perspective with all the upheaval happening all around us.  John’s closing words in his first epistle can calm us down and provide comfort, hope and  confidence.

Look at these three verses as the Three ‘We Knows’.

We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God is protected by Him, and the evil one does not touch him.

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:18-20)

Take a few minutes to read and re-read these verses. Ask the Spirit to open your eyes to see what He wants to teach, comfort, guide or convict you. Respond in prayer and worship.

Maranatha,