DCLM HIGHER EVERYDAY 13 April 2022 — Persecuted? he knows it
DCLM Higher Everyday 13 April 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Persecuted? he knows it
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TOPIC: PERSECUTED? HE KNOWS IT
TEXT: ACTS 9:1-8
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
MEMORY VERSE: “And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (ACTS 9:5).
MESSAGE:
According to Jim Feeney, “We live in perilous times in a dangerous world. God’s protection from harm is a reassuring promise in the face of dangers we face.”
Believers, including youths, often wear themselves out trying to fight God’s battles in their own strength. Consequently, when persecuted, they are tempted to give up.
Our text reveals the persecution of Christ’s disciples. While they remained faithful to their calling, the Lord fought for them by arresting Saul, their chief persecutor, and transforming him into a saint.
Dear Christian youth, are you always tempted to quit when persecuted? Don’t, God knows it. Whatever persecutions you are experiencing, remain faithful to your calling like the disciples in our text. God sees and knows your persecutors, and promises to fight for you, while you hold your peace (Exodus 14:14).
Don’t faint in times of adversity. Whether you experience ill-treatment, denial, victimization or mockery because of your faith, be patient, focus on the Lord and trust Him. He knows your situation and will surely see you through if you remain faithful to Him.
QUOTE: God sees and knows your persecutors.
CHALLENGE: Don’t give up when persecuted.
PRAYER: Help me Lordl, to remain steadfast when persecuted.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
