Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Sunday October 4, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Matthew, please read chapters 10-11 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-october-4

Today's Message: Determined By Faith
All Christian's will face persecution at some point in their lives simply because they chose to follow Christ, However, those who are determined by faith, will not be intimidated or stopped by family members, friends, or fierce opposition against their Lord and Savior.

The Christian is given a sheep-like nature that is symbolic of innocence and dependence, but not cowardly. Sheep, by their very nature, are in need of a shepherd or they will wander off and easily become prey to many enemies. Even worse, if one wanders, the entire flock may aimlessly follow. There is never safety in numbers for sheep, a shepherd is always necessary. Jesus said, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.” - Matthew 10:16-18. Times of peace often cause the sheep to be indifferent but, during persecution, the sheep discover they must depend on the Shepherd. Wolves are the natural enemy of sheep. Although wolves in human form sometimes appear to be sheep their indifference to His Word becomes apparent. Like Satan, they only quote the few verses that support their agenda. With Christ, the Christian can stand boldly in the face of the fiercest enemy.

As a disciple of Christ, sadly we face much persecution simply because we choose to live our lives for Christ. However, Jesus assures us that although we face persecution we have the promise of eternal life. Jesus, speaking to His Apostles and warns them that they will endure some suffering, but be not afraid because they will be saved. Jesus warned the Apostles to be prepared for persecution, “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” - Matthew 10: 19-22. The Apostles were to avoid all things which gave an advantage to their enemies, including meddling with worldly or political concerns as well as any thing that gives an appearance of evil. Persecutors are worse than beasts, in that they prey upon those of their own kind. The strongest bonds of love and duty, have often been broken from enmity against Christ. All who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution and we must expect to enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations.

When we come to God as a Father, we must remember that he is Lord of heaven and earth, which obliges us to come to him with reverence as to the sovereign Lord of all, yet with confidence, as one able to defend us from evil, and to supply us with all good. “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:27-30. Our Savior has invited all that labor and are heavy-laden, to come unto him. This includes worldly men who burden themselves with fruitless cares for wealth and honors, the gay and the sensual labor in pursuit of pleasures, the slave of Satan and his own lusts. Those who labor to establish their own righteousness also labor in vain. The convinced sinner is heavy-laden with guilt and terror and the tempted and afflicted believer has labors and burdens. Christ invites all to come to him for rest to their souls. He alone gives this invitation, when, feeling their guilt and misery, and believing His love and power to help, they seek him in fervent prayer.

With Christ, the Christian can stand boldly in the face of the fiercest enemy, stand up and say, “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” - Joshua 24:14,15

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy your week.
God Bless You,
Christina

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