I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
Blessed are the Persecuted
It’s not always easy to stand for what’s right—especially when someone makes fun of you, gossips about you, lies about you, or even abuses you because of your decision.
But when sharing the eighth of the beatitudes—a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom—Jesus offered some hope:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:10 NIV
Leading up to this verse, Jesus had spoken unexpected blessings over an unlikely group: the poor in spirit, those who were mourning, the meek, those craving righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers. Finally, He offered a blessing to the persecuted.
Jesus elaborated:
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:11-12 NIV
Now, we won’t be blessed for facing the consequences of our own terrible decisions. But Jesus is saying that you will be rewarded when you are shamed, canceled, or even physically persecuted because of Him.
Jesus knows what it’s like to suffer for the sake of righteousness.
You will be blessed for standing up for what is right, for trusting in God’s Word, and for defending those who cannot defend themselves. And when it gets hard, remember: you’re not alone.
The prophets before us were mocked, beaten, and even killed. Jesus’ disciples, the ones hearing these words, would also suffer and die because of their beliefs. They were persecuted for doing things differently: for loving their neighbors, fighting for sexual purity, resting on the Sabbath, and most of all, for declaring Jesus as Lord.
So no matter what it costs you, you will be blessed for standing up for what is right. Jesus says that yours is the kingdom of heaven.
Suffering Redeemed
Look around and you’ll quickly identify suffering, grief, and injustice. Maybe you’ve experienced injustice yourself. Maybe you’ve gone through difficult seasons. Or maybe you’ve experienced deep and profound grief due to loss.
Suffering rarely makes sense. We rarely have all of our questions answered within these sorts of seasons. And the hard truth is: most of our questions regarding suffering will go unanswered.
However, Romans 8:18 provides us with a perspective that can help us in seasons of suffering:
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
In this verse, Paul, the author of Romans, points us to the future. All throughout Scripture, God has been working within His people to bring redemption and make things new.
We live in one reality, which includes suffering and grief. But one day, God will return and complete the work He has begun in Jesus. When God returns, Scripture says that all suffering ...
