Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Matthew 5:11
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

You and I have both prayed at some point that God would make our lives easier and yet, the leaders of the early church celebrated when they suffered for Christ’s sake! When they were beaten, whipped, scorned, and thrown in prison for their faith, they rejoiced, because they remembered what Jesus had told them. When the world despises and mistreats you because of Him, your rewards in Heaven will be multiplied abundantly.

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Tuesday, November 7, 2023
John 15:18
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you

The Jews hated Him, spat at Him, and traded Him for a murderer. Christ was crucified by the people He loved… but it was love that held Him there. If the world spits on you, remember that it spat on Jesus too, and hold on for the same reason He did. If you bravely keep your eyes on Christ, there is a Kingdom awaiting you that will put the bad and good things of Earth to shame.

Monday, November 6, 2023

Monday, November 6, 2023
2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

The world that persecuted and scorned Jesus is still trying to stomp out His influence today. We don’t want to be told that God judges our sins, no one wants to leave their crooked lifestyle and follow Christ, and certainly no one wants to believe that there will be punishment for those who don’t. The truth is Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him.

Friday, November 3, 2023

Friday, November 3, 2023
Luke 15:7
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

We will have no enemies in Heaven; the truth is, you don’t have enemies on this earth either. Not a single earthly gripe or disagreement is going to matter in the grand scheme of eternity. The only thing that does matter is where you spend eternity. During this short life God has given you, fight everyday to fill seats at His table, introducing people to the friend you have in Jesus and telling them the good news: Christ died for sinners, wanderers, and enemies, and He died for them too. On this planet, you and I have no enemies… only sheep that have yet to be brought into the flock.

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Thursday, November 2, 2023
Luke 23:34
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

Would you have the will to forgive your enemies, even at their worst? Human nature tells you to repay evil with evil and hate with rage. God commands that you do the opposite, and there couldn’t be a more extreme example than the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. There are millions of unsaved people on this planet, and they don’t even know what they’re missing out on for eternity. Forgive them, and never stop sharing Christ’s love with those who need it, both with your words and by example. After all, at one point in time, you needed mercy as much as they did.

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Titus 3:2
…Speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Loving others means showing them respect, both when you’re with them and when you’re not. Speaking badly about someone and then wrapping it up with “but I love them, they’re great,” isn’t constructive criticism, it’s gossip. There’s a fine line between addressing a problem with the help of others and “speaking evil” for the enjoyment of it. Jesus loved His enemies in life and in death; He wasn’t afraid to call out evil when He saw it, but He was also the perfect Son of God, and if anyone had a right to point out sin, it was Him.