From the first day Jesus started His public ministry they tried to throw Him over a cliff. (Luke 4:28-30) Is your teaching so strong that people want to kill you? You’re in good company. (Acts 21:30-32) Do people lie and spy on you hoping to catch you doing something wrong? And when they can’t find fault with you do they make things up? They lied and spied on Jesus all the time. If this is happening to you rejoice! You’re one of the blessed few:
Matthew 5:10-12 NIV “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11] “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. [12] Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
1 Peter 4:14 NLT “If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.”
The glory of God; the spirit of God, is resting on you if you’re mistreated for Christ’s name. How often do people say, “I’m blessed,” but never refer to their sufferings for Christ when they say it? It’s because they don’t understand what it means to suffer for Jesus. A true disciple of Jesus will suffer persecution like Jesus. If no one is lying on spying on or wants to harm you because of your faith there should be concern. Instead of following Christ, you may be mincing your words and behavior to fit in. Saying exactly what Jesus says and agreeing with Him makes you a target. And it makes folks uncomfortable, so uncomfortable they want to kill you:
John 15:20-21 NIV “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. [21] They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.”
There are the Master’s own words. All who desire to live for Jesus Christ will be persecuted. That’s why I say if you’re not experiencing persecution for your faith you should be concerned. There is no way you can be following Jesus and not be persecuted He says.
I encourage you and me not to be one of those lukewarm Christians who want to fit in with the world. I want to encourage us to accept our sufferings like good soldiers of Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3-4) You can’t avoid suffering. We can choose to suffer now or suffer later. Suffering for Christ now is way better than denying Him and suffering forever in the lake of fire. (Revelation 21:8)
2 Timothy 2:12 KJV “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.”
Ever had folks pretend to be believers and then try to get you to question everything you believe in? They are, “Them that are lost.” They’re so friendly at first but in due time their true colors show. I’ve heard them say things like, “There’s no such thing as right or wrong.” “There is no absolute truth.” “Jesus is an alien from outer space.” I’ve heard many weird arguments over the years to disprove God. The Devil repackages old lies as new ones. Those whose practice is to refute God are lost.
It is noble to share God’s truth with folks who have questions about our faith. (1 Peter 3:15-16) It is not to quarrel with those whose questions are smokescreens to get us to doubt what we believe. We’re cautioned:
Titus 3:9-11 KJV “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. [10] A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; [11] Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”
God says to avoid controversies. People who love engaging in them are warped, sinful, and self-condemned. They’re lost. Have nothing to do with them God says. This can be very tough when someone you love is corrupt. It is not our job to force-feed people the truth. Jesus put it this way:
Matthew 7:6 ESV “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.”
Attacks are what will result from debating with quarrelsome individuals. When asked questions about our faith it’s a good idea to pray to God for guidance. This works! He will reveal to us folks’ motives and let us know how to proceed or not.
Proverbs 9:7-9 NLT “Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. [8] So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. [9] Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.”
Our enemy (the Devil) is tricky. He will bring some to us who seem to believe what we do, or say they want to learn about God. The whole time they’re setting us up for a prolonged debate. Don’t fall for it. Once you discern a person’s goal is to get you to doubt your faith politely end the conversation. If someone who claims to be a believer does this do what the Bible says: warn them once, then warn them a second time. If they still want to engage in controversy after that have nothing to do with them. You can be sure that such are warped, sinful, and self-condemned. They are, “Them that are lost.”
Romans 16:17 NLV “I ask you, Christian brothers, watch out for those who make trouble and start fights. Keep your eye on those who work against the teaching you received. Keep away from them.”
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Are we letting our light shine? Are people seeing the Jesus Show in us? Or are they seeing the flesh show? I’m sure you’ll agree we all can improve in following Jesus. But let’s talk about following Him when it’s hard. Let’s talk about persecution.
Someone reviles you and it doesn’t feel good. They say all sorts of evil things about you. This causes others to notice you intently. It may be your boss, friends, or associates who now pay close attention to you because of lies spread. Maybe it’s someone else in a position of authority who has the power to cause you much harm. This is when things get tough. But in either case, it’s time for The Jesus Show. Think about it: it’s God’s will that people see Him through you. How can this happen if no one pays us any attention?
Could it be God’s will that the spotlight is now shining on you to let your light shine brighter? It doesn’t feel good to be slandered, have your livelihood threatened, etcetera. But it is good if it’s happening because you are a believer:
Matthew 5:10-12 ESV “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Being persecuted for the faith means you are blessed and it puts us in some pretty good company.
SHOW EM THE JESUS SHOW
Now that the spotlight is on us it’s showtime. Show em who Jesus is. This may be the only opportunity some have to see Jesus. Most will not change. That’s not the point. But praise and glory to God will happen because of your Christlike conduct:
1 Peter 2:12 BSB “Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.”
Folks (even our foes) observe how we handle trials. Sometimes they become believers as a result. People need to see the real Jesus. Not the counterfeit, commercial Jesus they are sold through mainstream religion. Will you be the one to show them Him? Will I? May we live up to our calling and let our light shine even in difficult circumstances. It is in these dark times in the darkest moments when our light shines the brightest.
Philippians 2:5-11 ESV “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
There are people who take the, “We are gods,” attitude way too serious. (Psalm 82:6) Like one I recently spoke to who said, “We are gods, little G. That means we can create just like God.” I asked him, “We can create just like God? So I can create the earth, heaven, and clouds just like God did?” Naahh. Isn’t it interesting that the one who was like God in every way (Jesus) didn’t tout his godhood? (John 14:8-9) Instead, He took the servant role and remained obedient till death. So how dare sin-filled humans try to compare themselves with Almighty God?
Whenever I hear folks make the, “We are gods,” case I’m reminded of Satan who sold that lie to Eve in the garden of Eden:
Genesis 3:4-5 KJV “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and YE SHALL BE AS GODS, knowing good and evil.”
The evil one repackages lies all the time. It’s the same old trick: be your own god. But instead God says, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant.” Jesus is our example. He emptied Himself and became God’s slave. He never used his power for his own advantage but for the benefit of others. Even when someone called Him, “Good teacher,” which is what He was He said, “Why do you call me good when only God is good.” (Matthew 19:16-17) Wow! Jesus truly humbled Himself as a man. He always pointed to God the Father and gave Him glory. What an example we have in Jesus!
Isaiah 46 KJV “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and THERE IS NONE ELSE; I am God, and THERE IS NONE LIKE ME, ¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: ¹¹ Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.”
WOW!😃 Who can say and do what you just heard Almighty God say? No one! This is why we are told not to swear or make promises. (Matthew 5:33-37) None of us are capable of carrying out everything we plan to do. But God can.😊 God accomplishes EVERYTHING He desires! (Isaiah 55:10-11) God declares the end from the beginning. He knows EVERYTHING! What man or any being can say that? God is the only one. He is the Alpha (the beginning) and the Omega (the end). (Revelation 1:81:1121:622:13)
I recently heard some mad scientists say since they can now edit human DNA they are creators like God, and they are now gods. Since when does taking someone else’s creative work and tinkering with it make you a god?😳 These people are nuts and not gods! Man wants to be God so badly. I guess P Diddy is a god too because of all the songs he sampled by other recording artists back in the day. Ironically, I did hear him vehemently say in a video, “I’m God!”😳 Not, “I am a god,” but, “I am God!” He’s nuts too. I guess fooling around with other folk’s creative works and amassing wealth from it makes you a god when in reality you created nothing. All you are is a copycat. But that sounds about right because Satan is a copycat too. He’s always trying to copy what God does in some perverted way. And he too wants to be God so bad. (Isaiah 14:12-15) It’s no wonder his children think like him. (John 8:44)
This fooling around with human DNA and all DNA, plants, animals, insects, etcetera has serious consequences. Just as someone takes a song and reproduces it or makes changes to it without the expressed permission of the original recording artists has consequences this does too. Are not perpetrators taken to court and sued for millions for doing such things? We all know this stuff, yet some of us wonna play God or consent to the transhumanism movement. Do you really think the God who created heaven and earth and all that is in them will just sit back and watch this go on forever–the destruction of His creation–without executing judgment? All I have to say is mad scientists, and you rich men of the earth, and all transhumanists, you’ve really stepped in it this time.💩 Judgment is coming sooner than you think!⏳ Repent while you can!
THIS CAN ONLY END ONE WAY😪
Did you know that a long time ago the genetics of mankind was tampered with, provoking God to wipe out all living things, except for a few people and a few creatures of each kind? What mankind is participating in today–editing the genes of all living things including humans–will have similar consequences? Let’s read about what took place thousands of years ago to get some clarity:
Genesis 6:1-4 KJV “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, [2] That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. [3] And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. [4] There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”
As crazy as it sounds it’s true. A hybrid race of beings was created when, “The sons of God [fallen angels] saw the daughters of men [humans],” left heaven, came down to earth, and mated with these women. The result was a human hybrid race that became the, “Giants in the earth in those days; and also after that,”“Mighty men which were of old, men of renown.” These children of the fallen angels were the movers and shakers of the world at that time and they ruled with an iron fist. Before long demon DNA kept reproducing and spreading until all flesh was corrupted before God, provoking Him to wipe out all except Noah, his wife, his 3 sons, and their wives:
Genesis 6:5-14 HCSB “When the Lord saw that man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time, the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Then the Lord said, “I will wipe off from the face of the earth mankind, whom I created, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky — for I regret that I made them.” Noah, however, found favor in the sight of the Lord. These are the family records of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God. And Noah fathered three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with wickedness. God saw how corrupt the earth was, for every creature had corrupted its way on the earth. Then God said to Noah, “I have decided to put an end to every creature, for the earth is filled with wickedness because of them; therefore I am going to destroy them along with the earth. “Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it with pitch inside and outside.”
Yes, EVERY CREATURE was corrupted before God, man, and beasts. As a result of interbreeding fallen angels with mankind, the whole earth (all living things) went downhill fast. God was determined to destroy them and it hurt Him to His heart that He created them.😪 The entire earth was wicked! There was violence everywhere. Hmmm, that sounds a lot like today, doesn’t it?🤔
2 Peter 3:5-7 HCSB “They willfully ignore this: Long ago the heavens and the earth were brought about from water and through water by the word of God. Through these waters THE WORLD OF THAT TIME PERISHED WHEN IT WAS FLOODED. But by the same word, the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”
Yes, there were serious consequences long ago for fooling around with God’s creation in an unlawful way. Even dummies know that if you do the same thing you will get the same result.🤔 Mad scientists, technocrats, rich men of the earth, and all transhumanists, you’re not as smart as you think you are.
This folly is not driven by humans only: fallen angels are once again up to their age-old trick; manipulation of DNA on a massive scale. As a result the earth is just as wicked and corrupt if not worse than it was in Noah’s day. This will bring God’s wrath in judgment once again. This time though it won’t be a worldwide flood, it will be by fire.🔥😳
GOD’S IMAGE HIS TEMPLE
Genesis 1:27 KJV “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
What would you do if someone took your prized possession and destroyed it? Would you not want justice? Is God wrong for executing judgment in this matter when He Himself is the righteous judge?
1 Corinthians 3:17 GW “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him because God’s temple is holy. You are that holy temple!”
1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.”
Yes, the human body (of believers) is God’s temple. And God’s temple is sacred or holy. Man has always been God’s temple from the very beginning:
Genesis 2:21-22 KJV “And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his RIBS, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the RIB, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.”
Did you know that the Hebrew word for rib, “tsay-law’” in Genesis 2:21-22 appears in the Bible 39 other times? And everywhere it appears it refers to the side wall of the temple. Yes, God removed a rib or a beam from the side wall of Adam (his temple), and from it formed the woman Eve Adam’s wife. And again everywhere that word, “tsay-law,’” (rib) shows up in the Bible it is talking about the side wall of the temple building God had Solomon build. Wow, the same Hebrew word used for the side wall of man (his ribs) is the same word used for the side wall of God’s temple where folks worshipped in Jerusalem. This is amazing: mankind has always been God’s temple, His special creation, made in His own image. There is absolutely no one like GOD!😃
Being that we who believe are God’s temple on earth it makes sense that the wicked one would attempt to destroy us. We are made in God’s image. Satan hates God hence he hates us. By destroying God’s image (mankind) at the very DNA level (the blood), is it possible that Satan is causing many to lose their very souls based on what scripture says about blood?
Leviticus 17:11 KJV “For the LIFE of the flesh is IN THE BLOOD: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”
“The LIFE of the flesh is IN THE BLOOD!” The Hebrew word for life, “neh’-fesh,” in Leviticus 17:11 means, “SOUL.” The SOUL of a person is IN their BLOOD God says. Blood is most sacred to God and shouldn’t be tampered with. It belongs to God and only he has the right to determine its lawful use. The mad scientists who are altering human DNA through the so-called vaccine have a heavy price to pay. And sadly those who allow this to be done to themselves must pay as well. (Revelation 14:9-11)😪
Men can never improve upon the creation of God through gene therapy technologies or any other means. They have been fooled by the Devil into believing the age-old lie told in the garden of Eden: that through doing your own thing (disobedience to God), and taking what is forbidden, they can eventually live forever, amass great esoteric knowledge, become gods, and know for themselves what is good from evil. (Genesis 3:1-5) All of this is what Satan promised Eve in the garden of Eden and he’s making the same promise today via transhumanism. The saddest part is many are hoodwinked into believing him. And he’s tricked billions more into genetically modifying themselves without even knowing it.💉😪 Don’t fall for this trick. No one can ever improve on what God has made. Because there is none like God.
1 Chronicles 29:11 GW “Greatness, power, splendor, glory, and majesty are yours, Lord, because everything in heaven and on earth is yours. The kingdom is yours, Lord, and you are honored as head of all things.”
Like The Bereans 