| Victory over Trials and Persecutions (2) |
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Acts 9:15-16, Philippians 1:29
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. *For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. *For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.
From the beginning of Apostle Paul's relationship with God, he was prepared for trials and persecutions. The sufferings that he went through were not because of the way he persecuted Christians before his Damascus road encounter with Jesus. Jesus' death took care of that. His sufferings resulted from the great purpose and assignment that God wanted him to fulfill. One thing that will give us victory over trials and persecutions is our ability to see them as opportunities to be further strengthened in our faith and as opportunities to preach the gospel in order to advance God's kingdom.
This mindset is why the early believers in the book of Acts deeemed persecution a privilege, Acts 5:41. We must also see trials and persecutions as opportunities to suffer with Christ and share in His glory. 1Peter 4:12-14 says, “beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”
God's grace will be sufficient for you. As God saved Apostle Paul and delivered him so many times (2Cor.11:24- 27), He will also save and deliver you from every persecution and trial that you go through as you remain strong in faith.
PRAYER FOCUS: Pray for God's grace upon yourself and all believers to maintain the right attitude and perspective as we undergo trials and persecutions.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR READING PLAN: 1 KINGS 22; 2 CHRON.18 Empowered to do Exploits... This mindset is why the early believers in the book of Acts deeemed persecution a privilege, Acts 5:41. We must also see trials and persecutions as opportunities to suffer with Christ and share in His glory. 1Peter 4:12-14 says, “beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”
God's grace will be sufficient for you. As God saved Apostle Paul and delivered him so many times (2Cor.11:24- 27), He will also save and deliver you from every persecution and trial that you go through as you remain strong in faith.
PRAYER FOCUS: Pray for God's grace upon yourself and all believers to maintain the right attitude and perspective as we undergo trials and persecutions.
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