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This week’s Matthew reading we have seen so many wonderful things. We were able to revisit Jesus’s birth (Matthew 1) and admire the love that Joseph not only had for Mary but also the Lord. We were then shown his faithfulness to follow God’s instructions (Matthew Chapter 2). We even got to celebrate Jesus’s baptism (Chapter 3) and cheer as Jesus’s put Satan in his place (Matthew 4). However it was Matthew Chapter 5 that brought me to tears.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10 -12
Christianity is the most persecuted religions worldwide (you can view the statistics here ). Even in America if you mention you are a Christian you better believe you are going to receive some backlash. I have never really worried to much about what others have said about me but, what really hurt was when I started to receive persecution from those who are family members. For a long time I could not understand why I was disliked so much. The fact is however, I am simply different and held to a higher accountability. I choose to strive daily to follow God’s laws as much as I humanly can.
Living this way can be lonely.
Living this way can cause people to question who you are.
Living this way causes people to turn their backs on you when you never dreamed it possible.
Living this way causes people to poke fun at you.
Living this way causes you to be viewed differently by your peers.
It is saddening really it is. Yet, we have something that those who persecute us do not have. Jesus delivered us a promise that we will receive our rewards in heaven. God will honor those who are faithful to Him. He sees our suffering and He hears our cries.
When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. Psalms 34:17
So as you are persecuted for being submissive to your husband, raising your children in Biblical truths and striving to serve others in your community hold your head high. You are doing what God longs for us all to do. Those who poke fun, ridicule and turn their backs on the Truth are reaping their rewards now on Earth.
If you get nothing from this message I pray that you know that you are not alone. You are in fact being closely guarded by God and you are among millions who are being persecuted right along with you.
Until Next Time Just Keep Soaring 4 Him,
I am blogging through the Bible with some great friends. Each week we share our thoughts on passages that we are reading together through the week. It is amazing to me just how God is laying different things on each of our hearts. You do not have to be a blogger to join in. In fact the main goal of Good Morning Girls is to encourage women of God to dedicate a little of their time each morning to seeking wisdom from God’s Word. To join us simply click on the image below and it will take you directly to Good Morning Girls where you will find our reading plan, free study materials and wonderful words of inspiration.
Also don’t forget to check out my besties who also happen to be on the Good Morning Girls leadership team.
Courtney from Women Living Well
Mandy from Worshipful Living
Rosilind from A Little R&R
Misty from Beautiful Ashes
I would like to invite you to my Facebook group Christian Homemakers in Training where we dive into homemaking, motherhood, marriage and group devotions. After all, we all need a safe place to grow together, right?
Love your thoughts on this this week! The persecuted church has really been on my heart these past few weeks with everything that has been going on. Thank you for seeking to encourage them!
After the past few weeks the Church has really been laying on my heart heavily. This weeks reading just brought a lot of it to a head for me.