DAILY-E-VOTIONAL  

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

May 5, 2015

“PREPARE TO SUFFER!”

I Peter 4:12-14

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”

                                                              

Persecution toward the people of God has always been present. Satan knows he is a defeated foe and desires to fight God in every way possible. He hates Christians for they have been redeemed from his grasp by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

If Satan is a defeated foe, why does he continue to wage war against the saints of God? It is because he knows his fate and desires to rob God of as many souls as possible. He does this through deception and lies. Just as he enticed Eve in the Garden of Eden he still uses innuendos and doubt to cloud human hearts.

Every time I hear reports of martyrs who remain steadfast in the face of torture and death my heart explodes with praise. How tragic for those who are inflicting the persecution. Their eternal destiny is horrible and eternal.

As the first martyr, Stephan looked heavenward as the stones fell heavily on his earthly body the Lord parted the curtains of heaven for just a few moments. It was enough time for him to catch a glimpse of the heaven that was waiting for him. As he saw his Jesus he fell asleep. The stones could not touch his spiritual reward.

May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions! 

- - - Pastor Cecil