For Those Who “Take One” for Jesus

    • Joseph had his brothers.  (Genesis 37:5)
    • Moses had the sons of Korah.  (Numbers 16:1-3)
    • David had Shimei.  (2 Samuel 16:5-8)
    • Nehemiah had Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshen.  (Nehemiah 2:19)
    • The religious leaders of His day despised Jesus.  (Matthew 26:3-4)
    • Jesus said that we would be hated, talked about and persecuted on account of Him.  (Matthew 5:11)
    • Paul reminded us that all who desire to live godly lives would be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3:12)
    • Winston Churchill famously said, “You have enemies?  Good.  That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”

So…

Hang in there faithful brother and weary sister.  You are not alone, in fact you are in some pretty famous company.

God has not placed more on you than HE is able to bear.

Stay faithful.

Don’t lose hope.  Look to Him.

You have not escaped his sight and your plight has not gone unnoticed in heaven.

Great is your reward.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. – Matthew 5:12

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 1:6-7

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. – Hebrews 12:1-3