The Persecuted

Day 8 Celebrates Surrender.

This verse makes me think of our brothers and sisters around the world who face persecution every day for their faith. We are blessed here in America, in a western country, to not face extreme persecution from the government every day. However, I know there are Christians everywhere, all over the world who have to make the decision whether they are going to stand with God or stand with the world.

Recently, in a Bible study at my church we talked about the verse Luke 14:26 which says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” This sounds like extreme speech from Jesus and it most certainly is! Jesus is trying to show (1). how much we must be willing to give up in order to follow Him and (2). Jesus is trying to show us how much we must love Him above everything else in our lives! Following Jesus will never be easy.

In the same study, we have also been discussing “Jesus does not want fans, He wants followers.” As we start to close out this Beatitude Collection, I must beckon you to ask yourself, “Do I truly have a relationship with Jesus? Have I truly made Him Master of my life, welcoming Him into every part of my heart, or are there areas I have ‘blocked off’? Am I willing to give up everything for the name of Jesus and to follow Him? Am I willing to be the ‘odd one out’ in my family and friend group? Am I willing to go all in with Jesus?” I hope you will take time to answer these questions today, as they are some of the most important questions you can ask yourself!

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Matthew. 16:24-25

Alyssa Rasor