Tag: persecution
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The Model Church
2 Thessalonians 1:4 “Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.” If someone were to describe your church, what would they say about it? What is it about your church that really stands out? Is it known for…
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Comforting the Afflicted
1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 “We sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.” There are many ways that believers can serve God. Some are called to preach. Others are gifted evangelists.…
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The Things Not Said
1 Thessalonians 3:4 “For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.” One of the marks of a false teacher is what he or she does not say. Turn on your TV to any of the…
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A Fruitful Life
1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 “For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.” Jesus likened His followers to branches on a vine in…
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His Word is not Bound!
John 18:12 “So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jewsarrested Jesus and bound Him.” 2 Timothy 2:8-9 “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!” The history of…
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Fight or Flight?
John 18:10-11 “Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)So Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?’” John 18:26-27 “One of the servants of the high priest,…
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As a Hen
Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” The words above, which are a lament of Jesus, are some of the saddest words in all the Bible. …
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The Most Wonderful, yet Most Challenging Message in the World
Colossians 4:2-4 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” Isn’t it curious…
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Jars of Clay
2 Corinthians 4:11 “For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” Do you think that because you are a follower of Christ, wonderful things are likely to follow you around in this life? Certainly, following…
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Tests
1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.” No one likes a test. Thinking back to my school years, nothing produced stress in that school setting like the fact that there would be a test the next day. …
To Encourage You 