Today’s Devotional

Today’s Devotional:

Persecuted for Doing Right

Written By: Danny Saavedra

“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”—Matthew 5:10 (NLT)

I once read this quote: “When you do the right thing, good stuff has a way of happening.” I used to believe this—that if I did right, I’d be rewarded. And while this is true sometimes, over the years I’ve also learned some hard lessons about this mentality.

I’ve learned that my definition of “good” and “right” don’t always align with that of the general population. What we as believers know to be right based on God’s truth is now considered narrow-minded, bigoted, and ignorant. We’ve been told it puts us on the wrong side of history. “They say that what is right is wrong and what is wrong is right” (Isaiah 5:20 TLB) and have “exchanged the truth of God for a lie” (Romans 1:25 NASB). Even worse, I’ve noticed when we don’t agree with the world, we’re ostracized, shamed, and persecuted.

As harsh and disheartening as this may seem, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to us. In fact, Jesus—and His apostles—told us this would happen, that we’d be persecuted for our faith (John 15:18, 20; Romans 8:35; 1 Thessalonians 3:4; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 4:12). But don’t let this discourage you, because in addition to letting us know we’d be persecuted for His sake, the Lord Jesus offers this reassurance: “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right” (Matthew 5:10 NLT).

The definition for doing right (dikaiosuné) is “God’s judicial approval.” It reminds me of Romans 8:33–34 (NLT), where the apostle Paul also uses legal jargon to state, “Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Believer, throughout your life you will be persecuted in some capacity for your right standing with God. Some believers will even lose their lives in His name . . . but stand strong and assured in this: “for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Matthew 5:3 NLT). All of us who have received Christ, who have been given right standing with Him, are made heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ through His love. And guess what? “Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39 NLT).

DIG: Have you ever been made to feel bad because of your faith? Have you been ridiculed, mistreated, ostracized, or excluded because you pursue righteousness?

DISCOVER: Why do you believe this happens?

DISPLAY: Spend time praying for believers around the world who are being ridiculed, excluded, alienated, persecuted, and killed for their faith. Pray for the Spirit to provide in them—and us—the same strength, grace, and perseverance shown by Stephen in Acts 7.

His Timing

Last post here today. Its in His time. You must grow and take root when He sees that you are ready He will guide you and open the door for you. He will give you the wings to fly. First you must grow and take root. How? Studying His word and being in His word daily. Is it always easy no. In time you will see what He wants you to see and what He has in store for you. Would I have seen this coming definitely not. It is what I am meant to do and how He wants to use me. I may seem like Moses where I can’t speak and so God sends His brother and yet God used Moses and He spoke. Same here I am not one for speaking out loud doesn’t mean He can’t use me and has provided tools for me. So here I am using the tools given He has given me.
Psalms 27:14
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” https://youtu.be/qgGy-x2s_8Y

What is your scripture you go to for encouragement?

Charles Billingsley asked this on fb. I never gave it much thought to begin with and then this was my response to it… 

My response was: John 3:16 KJV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Seems odd to some but reminds me that others are in need to hear the good news without they will spend eternity separated from God. Keeps me going as I want others to know Jesus and that He can help them and meet their needs. Keeps me sharing the gospel and not just through facebook but now I have a blog to reach more people. None of this would be possible a few months ago and none possible without Jesus. He wanted me to do more the virus in March gave me the push to say more on fb and today my Sunday School teacher said I should have a blog. She came up with the title for it and I have 4 posts written already. So for me John 3:16 so I remember the reason I am doing all that I do.

For me I realized what my verse was to see that I am doing His work. The work He has called me to do and reach out to others. Hit strongly with the reminder of God being a Waymaker. He will provide a way for you as He did for me.

Song Play The Man

1 Corinthians 16:13 King James Version (KJV)

 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.King James Version (KJV) https://youtu.be/s79fJoCCUoU

If you want society to change first you need to begin the change in yourself. Be the change you want to see in the world. Do you want others to see the light in you or do you want them to see darkness? Will they see truth or will they see lies? As the Bible verse in Matthew 5: 16 KJV Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. The world may seem dark and filled with evil. Until the Lord calls us home there is light and love that shines brighter even in the darkest of night. So let your light shine brighter before men. Let them see the hope and joy that is in you and want the same thing. Keep the Faith and Finish the Race. God’s not finished with you yet. He hasn’t called you home and still has work for you to do. Every day and every breathe is a blessing from God above. Use it to enhance His kingdom and spread the good news to ends of the world.

God of Wonders

God of Wonders 💕. What a wonder our God is. Have you seen the beauty around? The beauty of a child and miracle of a child. The beauty in the plants and animals even the ones we detest. The ocean and how far and wide and deep the ocean is. The sky and colors created with sunrise and sunset. The galaxy and wonder of it all. So much that the Lord created and not with his hands with His voice. He spoke it into being. We create with hands but He created it all with His voice. Gave us the breath of life with His breath. What a wonder our God is. https://youtu.be/cidwwgAU-Bo

True meaning of The Pledge of Allegiance.

The following words were spoken by the late Red Skelton on his television program, January 14, 1969, as he related the story of his teacher, Mr. Laswell, who felt his students had come to think of the Pledge of Allegiance as merely something to recite in class each day.

Now, more than ever, listen to the meaning of his words.

“I’ve been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?”

I
“Me, an individual, a committee of one.”

Pledge

“Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.”

Allegiance

“My love and my devotion.”

To the flag

“Our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there’s respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody’s job!”

of the
United

“That means that we have all come together.”

States

“Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that’s love for country.”

And to the Republic

“Republic. A state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it’s from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people”

For which it stands,
One Nation under God

“One Nation, meaning ‘so blessed by God'”

Indivisible

“Incapable of being divided.”

With liberty

“Which is freedom — the right of power to live one’s own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation.”

And Justice

“The principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.”

For all.

“For All. Which means, boys and girls, it’s as much your country as it is mine.”

And now, boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one Nation under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All.

“Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our Country and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance…”

UNDER GOD

“Wouldn’t it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer and that would be eliminated from schools too?”

Richard Bernard “Red” Skelton
July 18, 1913 – September 17, 1997

As Red would say, “I personally believe we were put here to build and not to destroy. So, if by chance, you are not feeling well and you should remember some silly little thing I have said or done and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart – then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled.”
“Good Night and may God Bless.”