Monday, July 30
Theme for the week:
Disciples learn ways of blessedness

Matthew 5:11

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.
~ Jesus

At first glance, it might seem like a no-brainer to pray for Christian persecution to cease, but if you haven’t already done so, reconsider how you pray about those who suffer for Christ, including yourself. The Apostle Paul was often saved from death but suffered a great deal on account of Jesus – AND he considered that an honor to do so. (see Acts 9:16, Philippians 1:29). Here are three good reasons NOT to pray for an end to persecution of Christians, which we look at in greater detail in the coming days:
1. The church grows in times of persecution
2. Faith in God grows in times of persecution
3. Jesus said that his followers would endure persecution

In light of this, and of our own perspective coming into this week, let's ask God to help us face whatever comes our way as we carry the name of Jesus; to quote the Apostle Paul, "for your sake’s we face death all day long" (Romans 8:36).

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Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, teach me your ways and grant me your Holy Spirit in measure enough to stand up for you in all places and stand up under your strength and in all circumstances. I pray this in your name, amen.

Psalm 119: Immersed in the Word of God

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This is our continuing opportunity to encounter God through His Word in Psalm 119. Unique in the bible, Psalm 119 is fashioned around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet (seen above). Each section contains eight verses, making it easily the longest psalm at 176 verses. 

Psalm of Meditation for the Week:

Psalm 119:121-128 (Ayin)

ע

  1. I have done what is righteous and just; do not leave me to my oppressors.
  2. Ensure your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.
  3. My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise.
  4. Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees.
  5. I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.
  6. It is time for you to act, LORD; your law is being broken.
  7. Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold,
  8. and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.

  • Read: the verses twice.

  • Mark: the words or phrases that catch your attention.

  • Meditate: talk (better yet write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect a response from the Lord.

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Pondering Point

The traditional sense of the Hebrew letter Ayin is vision, coming from its root meaning “eye”. Can you see its reference in the verses above? Pray for Godly vision.

Tuesday, July 31
God’s Mission

John 15:18-20

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

The church grows in times of persecution. From The Acts of the Apostles to the Disciples of today, God is using persecution to advance His mission. Or rather He is taking advantage of the persecution to advance His mission. Much of Jesus’ teaching and ministry, even his death, was took advantage of those who persecuted Him or others (both within and outside of the church).

The first new testament martyr Stephen prayed for his persecutors, one of whom was Saul – this week’s Scripture Story. That prayed-for Saul became the Apostle Paul, one of the greatest witnesses for Jesus – and himself persecuted as much as anyone. Saul once persecuted then later obeyed. He is not alone. Thousands of others have done the same, so keep praying for those who persecute you or others Christians you’re aware of. God is working not just in the persecuted, but also the persecutor.

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Prayer

Lord God, you tell us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). Help me to be one who prays for those who persecute your followers, whether that’s me or my brothers and sisters in the faith around the world. Turn the hearts of these persecutors as you once turned that of the Apostle Paul. And like the martyr Stephen, keep my heart willing to suffer for your name; Amen.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:121-122

I have done what is righteous and just; do not leave me to my oppressors. Ensure your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.

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Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. 

The Promise:

Romans 8:28

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

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Pondering Point

It’s not likely that the writer, in saying I have done what is righteous, means without fault. The intent is a general assertion of living God’s way vs. his own.

Wednesday, August 1
Your Identity in Christ

I am a God-fearing follower of Jesus, and if I am insulted because of the name of Christ, I am blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on me.

Did you notice in the initial eight beatitudes, Jesus uses 3rd person (“Blessed…for they…”) but in Matthew 5:11, Jesus switches to 2nd person (“Blessed are you…”).

Persecution is not just an “out there” experience for disciples. If you follow Jesus, you will suffer for his name. Have you come to terms with the reality that your Lord Jesus said that you, his disciple, will suffer for his name?

While you don’t need to seek out people to hate you, you ought not try to avoid it. AND… we need to remember that when we share the reason for our hope in Christ, we do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:18).

Some people are hated because their approach is judgmental or hateful in and of itself. If this is you, that’s not on Jesus – it’s on you. But as disciples of Jesus, we will be falsely accused as well. Get used to it, keeping in mind: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

One last identity piece: In Hebrews 13:3, we are encouraged to identify with those suffering for the name of Jesus. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Take time to identify with those imprisoned or suffering physical abuse for the name of Jesus. Pray as if it were you or one of your family. After all, this is your extended family in Christ.

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Prayer Prompt

Father God, strengthen my brothers and sisters throughout the world suffering loss of home, health, freedom and even life. Uphold them with your Spirit and let their testimony bring You glory, bring their persecutors the message, and Your Spirit an open door to use their bold witness. Let them not wither – and when I face any degree of similar treatment, strengthen me as well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:123-124

My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise. Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees.

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Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

Jeremiah 6:16

This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

The Promise:

Romans 3:23-24

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

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Pondering Point

I love how the Psalmist does not given up on God, though he’s been waiting such a long time, resulting in “failing eyes”. May we have such steadfastness!

Thursday, August 2
Re-Center Around God

Acts 5:41

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name (of Jesus).
~Luke the Physician, 

Review the week

As you review your world when it comes to the idea of persecution, do you see it as a blessing or a misfortune? Do you strive to embrace it or avoid it? Do you carry the attitude that Jesus is an encouragement to those who are persecuted?

Repent (if necessary)

Repent means: to change a direction.  Under repentance (if necessary) ask the Lord to change your heart – to change a direction. Ask God to change the attitude of your heart regarding persecution that you would count those persecuted as blessed like Peter and John do in Acts 5:41.

Return (as necessary)

Keep returning to the God who has inspired such a following, seeking his blessing not just in persecution, but in time together, in a life centered around Him. People are suffering merely for a principle, but for a relationship that is theirs through Jesus Christ.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:125-126

I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. It is time for you to act, LORD; your law is being broken.

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Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 

The Promise:

Ephesians 1:13-14

When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

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Pondering Point

I am “your servant” says the poet for the third time in four verses. Re-read 121-128 noting how often he references “your” while calling God to act.

Friday, August 3
Discipleship Point

Matthew 5:11

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Personal goals as I follow Jesus: In a desire to be someone “always ready to share the reason for the hope that I have in Christ Jesus” (1 Peter 3:15), I am willing to set goals to be intentional about my life of following Jesus, including being intentional about connecting with others so that I can be used by God to reach out to them in love. These people can be Christians or not. To this end, I am also willing to yield to the Spirit’s desires consistently as I learn them from God’s Word.

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Discipleship Prayer

Lord Jesus, through persecution the message of the Gospel continues to move into hundreds of tribes and nations. Rather than pray off persecution and suffering, I pray for your people to stand up under it. Not just me, but especially my brothers and sisters in the world. Embolden us all to share the love and life you bring to this world. Let our hearts reflect your heart. Let our lives reflect your life. Amen.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 119:127-128

Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.

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Statute, Command, Precept, or Decree of God:

Revelation 3:17-18

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

The Promise:

Psalm 91:14

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.”

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Pondering Point

What – or who – do you consider to worth its weight in gold (about $17,913.76/pound)? Do you, like the psalmist, see God’s commands as more valuable than gold?

Saturday, August 4

Acts 26:1-29

From Saul to Paul,
From Persecutor to Persecuted

1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”

So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

9 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

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Prayer Prompt

As God to help you soak up the spiritual truths and benefits this story has for you; then ask in prayer that the story repeats itself in the world of today.

Sunday, August 5
Call to Worship God, to Gather Together

God Bless You

Exodus 15:2

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation; this is my God and I will praise him, my father's God and I will exalt him.

All Christian power springs from communion with God and from the indwelling of divine grace.
~James H Aughey
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Prayer for Worship

Christ Jesus, you see all things. It is a joy to know you and follow you as Lord. Regardless of the type of persecution we may face, let us not resort to personal vindication but trust that you -- living in us – are greater than he who is in the world, and that we are blessed to be in the kingdom of your world here on earth and in heaven. Amen.

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