“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. … Continue reading Fear Not Suffering
Persecution
At Your Word I will Let Down the Nets
Luke 5:1-11 ESV On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, … Continue reading At Your Word I will Let Down the Nets
They Turned Away From Us
“You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— … Continue reading They Turned Away From Us
Greatly Have They Afflicted Me
“’Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth’—let Israel now say—‘Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth,yet they have not prevailed against me.The plowers plowed upon my back;they made long their furrows.’The Lord is righteous;he has cut the cords of the wicked.May all who hate Zionbe put to shame and turned backward!” (Psalms 129:1-5 … Continue reading Greatly Have They Afflicted Me
I Was Pushed Hard, But He…
“Out of my distress I called on the Lord;the Lord answered me and set me free.The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.What can man do to me?The Lord is on my side as my helper;I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.It is better to take refuge in the Lordthan … Continue reading I Was Pushed Hard, But He…
We Do Not Lose Heart
Paul had just finished talking about his ministry, including the ministry of Timothy. He spoke of how they had renounced disgraceful and underhanded ways, and how they refused to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but they spoke the truth of God’s word to the people. But he also spoke of how so … Continue reading We Do Not Lose Heart
The Sentence of Death
“For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on … Continue reading The Sentence of Death
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
2 Timothy 4:6-8 ESV “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous … Continue reading Fight the Good Fight of Faith
Who Shall Separate Us?
Romans 8:35-39 ESV “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long;we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ “No, in all these things we are … Continue reading Who Shall Separate Us?
Abusers and the Abused
Psalms 62:3-4 ESV “How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah” This passage of Scripture is somewhat open … Continue reading Abusers and the Abused
Run With It 