Greetings sister saints!
Those of you who have been reading this blog for a while know that I'm always encouraging our sisters to be ready to share the GOSPEL.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1 Peter 3:15
So as we mature in the Word through our obedient life, we may get and look for more opportunities to share it with others but along with that comes the possibility of it being rejected. I've shared a lot of stories of how people reject the truth we share, a sister just shared how a gospel card was returned to her, another sister shared how her son rejected it just recently...So what I want to do is encourage you sisters to prepare yourself to have the truth rejected and not let it affect your flesh.
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Galatians 5:16-17
In this case if we look at vs 17 we'll see in context of sharing the gospel that if we walk in the flesh and get rejected, we may decide not to keep sharing which would be one instance of 'cannot do the things that ye would'.
Our Savior warned us the truth would be hated and all we have to do is look at what they did to Him and all His followers thereafter. Now let's read some scriptures that tell us that rejection will be coming and let ourselves be fortified and ready for it.
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
John 15:18-22
We see that again in Matthew 10 and Mark 13 so it should be no surprise when they reject the truth we give them.
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 10:21-22
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
Matthew 24:9
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And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mark 13:13
Since we know that we will be hated and the truth will be rejected, why would we be surprised? Do we not believe our Masters Words and think that we are greater than He? We are also given this as encouragement...
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Matthew 5:10-11
We are blessed if we truly are walking in truth, shining the light of Christ and sharing the gospel and the world hates us for it (His name sake).
So....a gentle reminder to us all. When we and the truth are hated and rejected, are we to be sad and distraught? Marvel and wonder why? Be dejected and not want to do it anymore? No, we are given this command (not suggestion but a command):
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Matthew 5:12
Yep. And then we are warned right after that...
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Matthew 5:13-15
So there, that ought to encourage us all to not be marveling or wondering or being swept away in discouragement when the truth we share is rejected and we are hated for it.
Glory to God for His precious gift and that we are allowed to carry it to the world!
And I had to use that sunflower as an example again:-)
I wanted to share this from a sister as I thought it was uplifting and encouraging because some of you may be new to the faith and just learning the role of godly women...
As you are transformed on the inside, it will show on the outside through your obedience and I want to warn you, you will most likely face rejection because of it. (Especially from the religious people who don't see the need to be fully obedient.) Remember what we just learned above about being rejected and our response to it sisters....
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Matthew 5:12
Brother Jim did an audio about persecution, you can listen to it HERE.
We are still in the tourist town getting ready for street witnessing so there won't be any travel videos for a couple days but I did take you for a little walk...let us marvel at the Lord's creation together.
Brother Jim made a new witnessing sign...it's so big I can read it at least a block away!
And a night time picture of our little van home..
Love to you all, hold fast and keep your armor on!
Love in Christ,
Sister Deb
Brother Jim made this video today, you will like it...
