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\ / WHAT JESUS DID! -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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Monday, May 4, 2009
Warned and Supported
"Be careful of people. They will arrest you and take you to
be judged. They will whip you in their synagogues. You will
be taken to stand before governors and kings. People will do
this to you because of me. You will tell about me to those
kings and governors and to the non-Jewish people. When you
are arrested, don't worry about what to say or how you should
say it. At that time you will be given the things to say. It
will not really be you speaking. The Spirit of your Father
will be speaking through you."
-- Matthew 10:17-20 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
While opposition and persecution are real possibilities for followers
of Jesus, he does not leave us unequipped for such circumstances.
First, he does not paint a rosy picture, so that we will not be caught
off guard. He wants us to know the truth about what lies ahead. Second,
we must practice caution because there are those wanting to do us harm.
We are not trying to get into trouble; it may happen because of what we
do, but it is not our goal. Third, Jesus reminds us of our purpose of
appearing before others for the sake of the Gospel: we are to be
witnesses to the world. Fourth, we are not to worry exactly how to
defend ourselves, for the Spirit of God will help us know what to say.
Jesus makes it clear that we may suffer for our faith, but he wants us
to know that we will not be unprepared or abandoned when we do! His
words are a careful and practical balance of warning, assurance,
mission, and support.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Holy and righteous God, I pray now for believers all over the world who
are facing persecution and harassment for their faith. Please bless
them and fill them with your Spirit to give them words to say to make a
lasting redemptive impact on the hearts of those who oppose them. In
Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
>> NEW: Phil's What Jesus Did devotional is now
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http://images.ultracart.com/aff/ACU9/1414/108/185/575/0/index.html
>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/0504-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+10:17-20&sr=1&t=erv
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THE SHACK, by William P. Young
In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant "The
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