SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 6
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. We serve God whether people honour us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. [2 Corinthians 6:7-8]
When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. [Matthew 10:19-20]
Has anyone ever said that following Jesus would be easy?
Certainly Jesus never said that, and Paul never experienced that.
The decision to follow Jesus aligns us with the greatest Power in the Universe, but it also opposes us to the greatest Enemy in the Universe.
Paul describes how the power of Jesus (the Spirit) produces amazing results in the face of unbelievable hardship and persecution.
Despite being physically, emotionally, socially tortured, nevertheless the Spirit produces amazing responses from him.
In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. [2 Corinthians 6:4-6]
How do we handle hardship or persecution?
Is the new life, the new power of the Spirit evident in us when someone falsely accuses or cruelly abuses us?
Is the Father’s Spirit emboldening us when we are under attack, speaking the truth in a loving, gracious way?
We need to go into each day knowing that the Enemy of our Souls is looking to distract, discourage, or defeat us.
We need to separate ourselves from those things that bring us down, and align ourselves ever closer to the source of our victory and power and hope.
As we cling to Him, His power works in and through us.
As we speak for Him (even when being taunted or tormented), He speaks through us, and the message has an impact!
I need to go into today with a confident desire to demonstrate and declare the amazing truth and love of God in Jesus, trusting that He will use my witness whether it is well-received or not.
PRAYER:
Lord, hold me close to You, make me bold for You!
Words of comfort and words of hope for the Lord God says ‘I will live with them and walk among them and I will be their God and they will be my people!’ What more do I desire? God is my refuge and tower of strength. I am in His presence always. I need to appraoch each day in that power so that I am strong in His power. Never discouraged. I need to live the words of Today God Is First. He is my friend so I do not have to fear whatever comes my way. Help me this day Lord to be Christian through and through. Make me to stand up for Jesus in all I say and do. Help me to be separate as You tell me to. Help me this day to live as Your son, knowing that You my Father will take care of me in all circumstances.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.