Posted 2017-04-28 7:59 AM Subject: BE ON Yôur GUARD
With God all things are possible
Posts: 3917
" Be on your guard" is not meant to instill fear or paranoia, but to warn the disciples that spreading the faith has its dangers. As always, Jesus forthright about what being a disciple entails. The sad part is Jesus' words here is that He is warning not only government prosecution but, prior to that, persecution by the apostles' own religion. God give us all the strength we need to help us to resist in time of distress. But he does not give it in advance., for if He did we would rely on ourselves and not on Him alone. Acts 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Mark 9:49 Everyone will be salted with the fire. Through the fire of suffering, people of faith will emerge as " seasoned" believers.
Fire ,of course, was always connected with sacrifices, which we see reflected in Romans 12:1 " I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices. Holy and pleasing to God..... This is your spiritual care of worship. " Eleswhere Paul wrote that, " fire will test the quality of each man's work" 1 Coritnthians 3:13 Peter wrote about believers being like gold," refined by fire". 1 Peter 1:7 and spoke of Perserving through the " fiery ordeal" 1 Peter 4:12 Matthew 5:10-12. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
For it is WITH God ALL things ARE Possible
Father God, guide me today to do all things that will bring glory and honor to Yôu Amen. Have a VERY BLESSED Friday and weekend ALL,
BE ON Yôur GUARD
