For taking your time to study remain blessed.
July Thursday 11th
TOPIC: DO NOT SUCCUMB TO PRESSURE AND DENY JESUS
TEXT: 1 Peter 4:12-19
KEY VERSE: 2Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
The Christian race is not a tea party. It is a great battle. Your battle is against Satan, the General of the kingdom of darkness. You are fighting against principalities and powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places. It takes great grace from God and resolute determination on your part to win this battle. You cannot rule out oppositions, challenges, tribulations and many distractions in this Christian race. Apostle Paul testified, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Every saint that has ever gone to heaven passed through the same experience. Bible says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man.” Even at the risk of your life, you must remain steadfast to the faith. Never deny Jesus, never compromise your faith! With many tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God.
This reminds me of the story of Polycarp. Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna who lived during the second century. He was an upright man who played a major role in helping to maintain the original teachings of Jesus in his day, when many heretics attempted to pervert those teachings. Upon refusing to burn incense to pay homage to the Roman Emperor, Polycarp was suddenly faced with losing his life. Being bound and burned at the stake and then stabbed when the fire didn’t consume him, Polycarp boldly proclaimed these last words: “Eighty and six years have I served Christ, nor has He ever done me any harm. How, then, could I blaspheme my King who saved Me?….I bless Thee for deigning me worthy of this day and this hour that I may be among Thy martyrs and drink the cup of my Lord Jesus Christ.” Polycarp’s faith in Christ must have been the stronghold and strength of his life. He was reputed to be a “steadfast witness of truth”. Polycarp paid the ultimate price by being martyred for Jesus. He did not try to preserve his earthly body. Are you that committed to Christ? What a sweet inspiration to know that many have gone before us who served Christ to the end! True Christians of our day need to pick up the mantle and carry on. Surely, we too will one day meet our Jesus and the departed saints of old. May we be as bold as Polycarp!
Thought for the day: Pick up courage and fight the good fight of faith.
Song for the day: it pays to serve Jesus……I’d be a good soldier, I’d die at my post
Bible reading for the day:
Psalms 4-6; Acts 16:16-40
#Horemow.
July Thursday 11th
TOPIC: DO NOT SUCCUMB TO PRESSURE AND DENY JESUS
TEXT: 1 Peter 4:12-19
KEY VERSE: 2Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
The Christian race is not a tea party. It is a great battle. Your battle is against Satan, the General of the kingdom of darkness. You are fighting against principalities and powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places. It takes great grace from God and resolute determination on your part to win this battle. You cannot rule out oppositions, challenges, tribulations and many distractions in this Christian race. Apostle Paul testified, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Every saint that has ever gone to heaven passed through the same experience. Bible says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man.” Even at the risk of your life, you must remain steadfast to the faith. Never deny Jesus, never compromise your faith! With many tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God.
This reminds me of the story of Polycarp. Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna who lived during the second century. He was an upright man who played a major role in helping to maintain the original teachings of Jesus in his day, when many heretics attempted to pervert those teachings. Upon refusing to burn incense to pay homage to the Roman Emperor, Polycarp was suddenly faced with losing his life. Being bound and burned at the stake and then stabbed when the fire didn’t consume him, Polycarp boldly proclaimed these last words: “Eighty and six years have I served Christ, nor has He ever done me any harm. How, then, could I blaspheme my King who saved Me?….I bless Thee for deigning me worthy of this day and this hour that I may be among Thy martyrs and drink the cup of my Lord Jesus Christ.” Polycarp’s faith in Christ must have been the stronghold and strength of his life. He was reputed to be a “steadfast witness of truth”. Polycarp paid the ultimate price by being martyred for Jesus. He did not try to preserve his earthly body. Are you that committed to Christ? What a sweet inspiration to know that many have gone before us who served Christ to the end! True Christians of our day need to pick up the mantle and carry on. Surely, we too will one day meet our Jesus and the departed saints of old. May we be as bold as Polycarp!
Thought for the day: Pick up courage and fight the good fight of faith.
Song for the day: it pays to serve Jesus……I’d be a good soldier, I’d die at my post
Bible reading for the day:
Psalms 4-6; Acts 16:16-40
#Horemow.
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