DAILY-E-VOTIONAL

BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART

Pastor Cecil A. Thompson

June 15, 2015

“SORRY FOR OURSELVES!”

 Acts 5:41-42   

“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.  Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”

I hate to admit it, but there are obnoxious Christians out there! By that I mean there are people who claim the name of Jesus as their personal Savior, but they live lives that border (one side or the other) on unquestionable practices. I hear from people that are around these types, and they perceive that person has an ugly spirit within them. Often that is what the world sees...and that is how they judge allwho claim the name of Christ.

The early Christians constantly put their lives on the line for the sake of Christ. Were they all perfect? Absolutely not! None of us are. But those believers were willing to give everything they had, including their very lives, for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ who had saved them and given them eternal life.

As I read the story of the Christians in that early New Testament Church, I noticed that they never felt sorry for themselves. In fact, they considered it a spiritual blessing to endure suffering. Today, if we have to endure insults or innuendos, we whimper and cry like babies. It is a far cry from our brothers and sisters who gave their lives for the Gospel.

I want to make a new commitment to live my life with rejoicing rather than trying to feel sorry for myself!

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

- - - Pastor Cecil