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For I know the plans I have for you,declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 |
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| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for collecting daily manna), make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Today's Passage : Today's Passage: Subject: Being a Christian Today Bible Verse: Hebrews 10:32-39 (NIV) "Recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. ‘For yet in a very little while, the one who is coming will come and will not delay; but my righteous one will live by faith. My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back.’ But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved." Message:
This passage from Hebrews relates well to the verses from Matthew we have read, particularly when Jesus warns the apostles of the dire possibilities that await them in Chapter 10. Paul speaks to the same persecution but after the fact, rather than as a warning or preparation, as Jesus did in Matthew 10.
Paul is also a bit more upbeat, for he is not addressing the apostles, but a large group of Christians, many of whom had not seen Christ in the flesh. They need encouragement — and so do we! But we really face a different set of issues than the converts in the decades after Christ ascended. Paul is speaking to people who have had their possessions taken away, people who have been to prison, people who have family members in prison.
Few people in the West, today, face prison or death simply for espousing their beliefs. But we must not shrink at the prospect that we might suffer. Paul very bluntly tells us that “persecution is inevitable for those who are determined to live really Christian lives.” (2 Tim 3:12, J.B. Phillips Translation) Our suffering may be only that we must endure the pride and speech of fools and sinners, but we will suffer.
This, we do share with the early Christians. We must build our faith to fully sustain us through whatever trial is sent to us, and we must wait in faith for the coming of Christ. We know that the joy of strong faith can endure any hardship, for we have seen it. James tells us, “When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, don't resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance.” (James 1:2-4)
“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. ” (Habakkuk 2:3)
Finally, let us always remember Paul's word in 2 Corinthians. Here, he capsulizes the Christian attitude:
This is the reason we never lose heart. The outward man does indeed suffer wear and tear, but every day the inward man receives fresh strength. These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain. (2 Cor 4:16-17)
And at least we are not often fed to lions today!
Meditation : Prayer : The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace, this day and evermore. Amen. |
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