Happy are the Persecuted
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10
If we were to do a survey and ask the average person on the street what it is that makes a person happy, you can be sure to get a variety of answers -- wealth, fame, power, position, family, true love, the list would go on -- but I think it is safe to say that not many would put persecution at the top of the list like Jesus did!
Persecution is a blessing -- it will make you happy -- if you are being persecuted for the right reasons, says Jesus. Blessed are you, happy will you be when you are persecuted because of your righteousness, your right living. Blessed are you, happy will you be, when you are persecuted for belonging to Jesus and identifying yourself as a follower of Him. Filled with happiness and inner joy will you be when you are living out your destiny as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. And great peace and joy will be yours when you realize the surpassing righteousness that is yours as you identify yourself with Christ Jesus. Discover these truths for yourself in the following devotionals based upon Matthew 5:11-20:
Persecuted Because of Righteousness (Devotional Day 4)
Persecuted Because You Belong to Jesus (Devotional Day 5)
You Are the Salt of the Earth (Devotional Day 6)
You Are the Light of the World (Devotional Day 7)
Surpassing Righteousness (Devotional Day 8)
Please read the articles above one at a time, with an open Bible, open heart, and open mind. Then pray and take action as the Lord leads. And if you wouldn't mind leaving your thoughts, questions, and testimonies on the Comments page it would be much appreciated. By doing so you can be a blessing to others and help me make this site better. Thanks and God bless!
Pastor Randy
If we were to do a survey and ask the average person on the street what it is that makes a person happy, you can be sure to get a variety of answers -- wealth, fame, power, position, family, true love, the list would go on -- but I think it is safe to say that not many would put persecution at the top of the list like Jesus did!
Persecution is a blessing -- it will make you happy -- if you are being persecuted for the right reasons, says Jesus. Blessed are you, happy will you be when you are persecuted because of your righteousness, your right living. Blessed are you, happy will you be, when you are persecuted for belonging to Jesus and identifying yourself as a follower of Him. Filled with happiness and inner joy will you be when you are living out your destiny as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. And great peace and joy will be yours when you realize the surpassing righteousness that is yours as you identify yourself with Christ Jesus. Discover these truths for yourself in the following devotionals based upon Matthew 5:11-20:
Persecuted Because of Righteousness (Devotional Day 4)
Persecuted Because You Belong to Jesus (Devotional Day 5)
You Are the Salt of the Earth (Devotional Day 6)
You Are the Light of the World (Devotional Day 7)
Surpassing Righteousness (Devotional Day 8)
Please read the articles above one at a time, with an open Bible, open heart, and open mind. Then pray and take action as the Lord leads. And if you wouldn't mind leaving your thoughts, questions, and testimonies on the Comments page it would be much appreciated. By doing so you can be a blessing to others and help me make this site better. Thanks and God bless!
Pastor Randy