03-01-2008, 10:17 PM
Good evening all ... well I hope my computer will stay connected long enough for me to put up a thought or two on the text ... :post: :read: We had a lovely storm today ... so the 'lion' has roared ... and all we need to wait for is the bleating of the 'lamb' :thumbsup:
The Scripture for today is from 2Tim. 3:12 ...
All those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.''
Watchtower comments ...
''Satan may incite family members, schoolmates, or even dictatorial governments to persecute God's servants in some way. How can we face these problems successfully? By viewing them as an opportunity to demonstrate our love for Jehovah and our submission to his sovereignty. (Jas. 1:2-4) Understanding the importance of loyalty to God will help us to maintain our spiritual balance. The apostle Peter wrote to Christians: ''Beloved ones, do not be puzzled at the burning among you, which is happening to you for a trial, as though a strange thing were befalling you.'' (1 Pet. 4:12) Satan still challenges the integrity of the Witnesses of Jehovah, as he did in the case of Job. In fact, the Bible indicates that Satan has increased his attacks on God's people during these last days.''--Rev. 12:9, 17. w06 8/15 1:8,9
My thoughts ...
Some others renderings are ...
(ALT) And indeed, all the ones desiring to be living in a godly manner in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
(CEV) Anyone who belongs to Christ Jesus and wants to live right will have trouble from others.
As I sit here and think about the 'consequences' of our living as footstep followers of Christ Jesus, seeking to live a godly or devout life, to the glory and honor of our Lord and his Father I am filled with a sense of ... could it really be any other way ...? :dontknow:
Out of Jesus' own lips he said this would happen to us, just as it was to happen to him, for we are not greater than he are we ...
However, I am thinking about the manner in which persecution will come to us ...
The Greek word for 'persecution' is ...
diōkō dee-o'-ko
A prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb διÌω dioÌ„ (to flee; compare the base of G1169 and G1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication to persecute: - ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute (-ion), press toward.
Some dictionary definitions are ...
. Persistent ill treatment or harassment.
. Persecution is persistent mistreatment of an individual/group by another group. The most common forms are religious persecution, ethnic persecution, and political persecution, though there is naturally some overlap between these terms.
So now, let us go back to Jesus' time and see 'who' and in 'what' kind of ways he and his disciples were persecuted so that we today can prepare our hearts, minds, souls, and strength to endure and remain steadfast and true in our devotion, love and worship of our heavenly Father and his Son!
1. We have the account of where Jesus was tempted by Satan himself ...
So then we too would need to be on guard against his wiles and machinations so as not to let him become our 'father' or 'god' in any way wouldn't we ...
2. Jesus was always being continually harassed by the religious leaders of his day, having them continually trying to trip him up, cause him to become discouraged, urging the people to turn against him, distrust him, and in the end killing him ...
So can we too not expect from within our own organizations, when we see truth and live by it, though it may go against what the 'church' believes that we too will suffer for it with attacks on our reputations, judging our spirituality, losing friends and family because of them following the 'leaders' thinking 'they' are doing what is right ...
3. And wasn't our Lord in end of his righteous and caring for others life brought to a most horrific end, beaten, hit, whipped, spit, slandered ... BY HIS OWN ... and then by the JUDICIAL or political system of that time ...
So, too may we have to face such things to prove that our love is pure and true, that it will not only stand the test of time ... but brave the waves and storms of persecution from WHOMEVER it may come!
Some may not like to think of these things, and indeed they are not 'pleasant' to think about ... but in order to be wearing all of our armor, and keeping it shiny and in good shape we need to at least 'know' that at some point our faith and love and hope will be tested ... and tested as if by fire ...
What we need to try to keep in mind is that this 'fire of persecution', if we let ourselves be 'tempered' by it can only make us stronger as Christians, can only strengthen our faith and hope as we will have to truly rely on the strength and power that only our God and his Son can give us through the holy spirit, can 'mold' us into reinforcing the fruitages of the spirit and the love of God, as we indeed 'carry our torture stake' ... and as we 'walk the path our master trod' ...!!
And while it may honestly bring a measure of fear or trepidation to our hearts and minds ... let us seek to have our LOVE throw that fear outside where it belongs ... for we need to have the same mental attitude as Christ and the disciples after him ... that of letting our light of love and faith shine brightly in this darkened world ... letting our voices ring out clearly though the world may be hushed in fear and confusion ... realizing that whatever we may suffer will be as nothing once we have the 'real life' bestowed upon us ... that we can shut the mouths of our accusers, abusers and instigators be they visible or invisible!
If we keep in mind that MILLIONS of faithful brothers and sisters before us was able to stand firm in the face of horrific things ... then that should let us know that deep inside EACH AND EVERYONE OF US there is a cord that cannot be severed as well ... all we have to do is nurture it, oil it, reinforce it, care for it and it will never ever let us down!!
Well, sorry for rattling on so long ... again ... :blush:
Luv as always to all ... BR :sheepy: :bouncyhearts:
The Scripture for today is from 2Tim. 3:12 ...
All those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.''
Watchtower comments ...
''Satan may incite family members, schoolmates, or even dictatorial governments to persecute God's servants in some way. How can we face these problems successfully? By viewing them as an opportunity to demonstrate our love for Jehovah and our submission to his sovereignty. (Jas. 1:2-4) Understanding the importance of loyalty to God will help us to maintain our spiritual balance. The apostle Peter wrote to Christians: ''Beloved ones, do not be puzzled at the burning among you, which is happening to you for a trial, as though a strange thing were befalling you.'' (1 Pet. 4:12) Satan still challenges the integrity of the Witnesses of Jehovah, as he did in the case of Job. In fact, the Bible indicates that Satan has increased his attacks on God's people during these last days.''--Rev. 12:9, 17. w06 8/15 1:8,9
My thoughts ...
Some others renderings are ...
(ALT) And indeed, all the ones desiring to be living in a godly manner in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
(CEV) Anyone who belongs to Christ Jesus and wants to live right will have trouble from others.
As I sit here and think about the 'consequences' of our living as footstep followers of Christ Jesus, seeking to live a godly or devout life, to the glory and honor of our Lord and his Father I am filled with a sense of ... could it really be any other way ...? :dontknow:
Out of Jesus' own lips he said this would happen to us, just as it was to happen to him, for we are not greater than he are we ...
However, I am thinking about the manner in which persecution will come to us ...
The Greek word for 'persecution' is ...
diōkō dee-o'-ko
A prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb διÌω dioÌ„ (to flee; compare the base of G1169 and G1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication to persecute: - ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute (-ion), press toward.
Some dictionary definitions are ...
. Persistent ill treatment or harassment.
. Persecution is persistent mistreatment of an individual/group by another group. The most common forms are religious persecution, ethnic persecution, and political persecution, though there is naturally some overlap between these terms.
So now, let us go back to Jesus' time and see 'who' and in 'what' kind of ways he and his disciples were persecuted so that we today can prepare our hearts, minds, souls, and strength to endure and remain steadfast and true in our devotion, love and worship of our heavenly Father and his Son!
1. We have the account of where Jesus was tempted by Satan himself ...
So then we too would need to be on guard against his wiles and machinations so as not to let him become our 'father' or 'god' in any way wouldn't we ...
2. Jesus was always being continually harassed by the religious leaders of his day, having them continually trying to trip him up, cause him to become discouraged, urging the people to turn against him, distrust him, and in the end killing him ...
So can we too not expect from within our own organizations, when we see truth and live by it, though it may go against what the 'church' believes that we too will suffer for it with attacks on our reputations, judging our spirituality, losing friends and family because of them following the 'leaders' thinking 'they' are doing what is right ...
3. And wasn't our Lord in end of his righteous and caring for others life brought to a most horrific end, beaten, hit, whipped, spit, slandered ... BY HIS OWN ... and then by the JUDICIAL or political system of that time ...
So, too may we have to face such things to prove that our love is pure and true, that it will not only stand the test of time ... but brave the waves and storms of persecution from WHOMEVER it may come!
Some may not like to think of these things, and indeed they are not 'pleasant' to think about ... but in order to be wearing all of our armor, and keeping it shiny and in good shape we need to at least 'know' that at some point our faith and love and hope will be tested ... and tested as if by fire ...
What we need to try to keep in mind is that this 'fire of persecution', if we let ourselves be 'tempered' by it can only make us stronger as Christians, can only strengthen our faith and hope as we will have to truly rely on the strength and power that only our God and his Son can give us through the holy spirit, can 'mold' us into reinforcing the fruitages of the spirit and the love of God, as we indeed 'carry our torture stake' ... and as we 'walk the path our master trod' ...!!
And while it may honestly bring a measure of fear or trepidation to our hearts and minds ... let us seek to have our LOVE throw that fear outside where it belongs ... for we need to have the same mental attitude as Christ and the disciples after him ... that of letting our light of love and faith shine brightly in this darkened world ... letting our voices ring out clearly though the world may be hushed in fear and confusion ... realizing that whatever we may suffer will be as nothing once we have the 'real life' bestowed upon us ... that we can shut the mouths of our accusers, abusers and instigators be they visible or invisible!
If we keep in mind that MILLIONS of faithful brothers and sisters before us was able to stand firm in the face of horrific things ... then that should let us know that deep inside EACH AND EVERYONE OF US there is a cord that cannot be severed as well ... all we have to do is nurture it, oil it, reinforce it, care for it and it will never ever let us down!!
Well, sorry for rattling on so long ... again ... :blush:
Luv as always to all ... BR :sheepy: :bouncyhearts: