Weekly Devotion - #20

Read: I Timothy 3:12 - 14

Suffer for Jesus

"Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution"--II Timothy 3:12.

Some people say that if a person is a Christian he will never be unhappy. Some think that every experience will be good and problems will never come. That is not true. Christians can become sick, have a broken heart, lose important possessions and even have deadly cancer. Christians suffer for many different reasons.

As a missionary in Mexico, I heard the story of a young man who attended church. During the invitation he went forward and received Christ as his Saviour. The pastor encouraged him to witness to his family. When he arrived home, he told them of his experience and they became angry with him.

One night when the young man was at church, his parents placed all his clothes in a box and put them outside the door. When he returned home, the door was locked. He knocked but his father refused to let him in the house and said, "If you continue in this religion you are no more our son." The young man was told to decide which he wanted, his home or Jesus. He made his decision, picked up his clothes and slowly walked away.

Yes, often Christians who will live godly will suffer. But, the Bible promises us in Matthew 19:29 that every one who must forsake (leave) loved ones for Jesus' sake will receive manifold (many) blessings and life everlasting. The Lord promises He will never leave us. [JES]

THOT: If you stand for the Lord, He will stand for you.

TODAY: Pray a special prayer for those who are suffering.

This lesson is from  30 Heart Touching Devotions available from SWM.

You have permission to copy for personal and church use.