Knowing that history and having Christ Himself say in John 15:18, "If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you." the idea of devoting oneself to proclaiming Him requires a thick skin ... or better yet, the "Whole Armor of God" as described in Ephesians 6:13-17.
In Joshua 24:15, he asks the Israelites, "Choose this day Whom you will serve ... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." That service is not lip service. It is building the Kingdom, caring for God's children, proclaiming the Word and growing spiritually. It requires action, not just declaration. And we promise you, unfortunately there will be persecution because of your choice. Not perhaps to the extent of the apostles, but persecution nonetheless. Christ said in Matthew 10:34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." Much of that chapter speaks to the persecution Christians will have as sheep among wolves.
Doing this together will give you an advantage, as you support and uplift one another in the challenges life and culture throw at you. But this we guarantee: when you put Christ first in your life, you will be blessed beyond measure.
Our friend Mindy shared this testimony with us Sunday: She was employed in a company as a bookkeeper which gave her much flexibility to care for her two children who both had medical issues that required many doctors visits. At one point the boss she loved needed to take care of personal issues for a year abroad, signing a contract with a man to take over his business for a year. This new boss asked Mindy what her priorities were. She told him "God, then my husband, my children and work." He told her until she could make the job her number one priority, she didn't have a job there. After packing all her things and leaving the office, she cried and prayed to the Lord about how she would care for her family without a job. The next day she received a call from a business owner who asked if she would fix their bookkeeping problems. She agreed to, telling him to drop off his files. He brought by three years worth of work which she could do in her home - giving her the flexibility she needed. After that, others came to ask her to do the same work, and a new business was born. Praise the Lord in Heaven ... how He blessed her for standing up for Him.
The last three verses of the hymn Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus by George Duffield Jr. say this:
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.
When we married, the wife of the pastor who officiated for us gave us a needlepoint wall hanging with the Joshua 24:15 verse on it. It hung on our wall till it was lost in a move. Today we have it engraved on a tiny flat wooden house. We live by it. Choose Who you will serve and do so wholeheartedly. You will be blessed immeasurably for it.
Discussion: Do you think you could defend your faith under persecution? What are some things you do to serve the Lord actively?
Prayer: Lord, we ask that you give us courage for those times when we proclaim Your Word to those who disagree with it. We pray our words are guided by your Holy Spirit. And we pray for a hedge of protection around us as we stand in the gap. We love you, Father. Amen.
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