God lives and works today.
When he intervenes, everything in our lives takes
on a new perspective.
Things that we would have avoided at any
cost suddenly become a joy to us.
Listen to today's meditation by Vassalia Schlink called
For Jesus' Sake.
In many different places, the Bible tells us
to rejoice.
And we have reason to rejoice because God
loves us.
He gives us countless gifts.
In him we have a Father who lovingly
cares for us, who has accepted us to
be his children in Jesus, and that is
our joy.
In 1 Peter 4, verse 13, the Apostle
writes to his congregations, Rejoice insofar as you
share Christ's sufferings.
Who understands what it means to rejoice that
we may share Christ's sufferings?
Only those who love Jesus.
Because if I love him, it is an
honor for me to suffer and to bear
disgrace for his sake.
By doing so, I come very close to
Jesus and I follow in his footsteps.
For this reason, the Apostle Peter writes, as
if it were a privilege to be able
to share Christ's sufferings and disgrace.
Why does Peter consider it such a privilege
and a gift from the Lord?
Behind this attitude are the words of Jesus,
his Master, Blessed are you when men hate
you, and when they exclude you and revile
you, and cast out your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.
Your reward is great in heaven.
Luke 6, verse 22-23 Blessed are all
who tread Jesus' own way, twice blessed indeed
with the joy of today, and glory awaiting
in heaven.
Yes, great glory awaits everyone who is ready
to suffer disgrace for Jesus' sake.
According to the Scriptures, this suffering should be
a part of every believer's life.
For it is written in 2 Timothy 3,
All who desire to live a godly life
in Christ will be persecuted.
However, not all have to suffer in the
same degree.
If I'm never attacked, mocked, or disgraced because
of my faith, then I have to ask
myself whether something is wrong.
Slander and mockery may also come from the
lips of the so-called pious, just as
Jesus was ridiculed by the pious people of
his day, the Pharisees.
Whenever Jesus' discipleship is taken seriously and without
compromise, it's like a challenge which will cause
a division among the people.
Some will be drawn to follow Jesus, and
others will mock and ridicule.
For as Matthew 10, verse 24 says, The
disciple is not above his master.
Where do you stand?
Jesus, your way, is the life we now
choose To follow you closely, so all else
we lose Is all our desire and all
our longing.
You have been listening to a program written
by Basilia Schlink of the Little Land of
Canaan.
To learn more about how God lives and
works today, visit us at our website, www
.canaan.org.
If you contact us, we would be happy
to send you a free inspirational booklet.
If you do not have access to the
web, please write to God Lives and Works
Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85028
-4099.
God bless you.