Category: Persecution

Acts 5:40 (NKJV) 40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go.

The apostles were beaten for speaking the name of Jesus.

Jesus does not guarantee perpetual happiness if we agree to serve Him. But He does promise us so much more; peace, love, joy, and eternal life!

Some of the hits we take, and the pressures we can face may make us question whether or not we did the right thing by following Jesus.

They may even cause us to shrink back from time to time.

In this case, the apostles did not let it affect the work they were called to do. In fact, it caused them to go even stronger and preach that much more.

Acts 5:41-42 (NKJV) 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Are you feeling persecuted today because you took a stand and won’t back down? Are you being bullied because people sense Jesus’ Spirit in you and know what and Who you stand for?

You are not alone. He is with you.

When you feel the pressure and tension in the atmosphere, call on His name. He will give you the strength to endure.

2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV) 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue…

It is through His power we have what it takes. Amen.

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John 15:18-19 (NKJV) 18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Men and women of God have not been very well liked over the centuries.

That is not something that makes us feel particularly good, but it is a truth we must embrace.

Jesus warned us that if we are His followers, we would be hated by the world.

But look at what else Jesus said.

John 15:9-10 (NKJV) 9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

As the Father loved Him (Jesus), He also loves us.

Jesus instructs that we must abide in His love.

What does that mean?

He goes on to tell us that if we keep His commandments, we are abiding in His love.

What commandment is He referring to?

John 15:12 (NKJV) 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

We must love one another.

The love of God overrides any hatred that the world can dish out. His love is more powerful than any worldly force, and we must remember that.

As we learn to walk in love for one another, God’s love will overflow in us and onto others.

And what is the result of this?

His joy will be full in us!

John 15:11 (NKJV) 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Jesus did not speak of the world’s hatred toward us to scare or discourage us.

He wanted us to be warned and fully equipped, ready to handle whatever might come our way.

And these warnings do just that; prepare us and equip us.

Let us move forward, learning to walk in His love, that our joy may be full.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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