Matthew 5:11-12

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Back in high school I experienced more than one incident of rejection. Our high school was on a college campus and one benefit was that, at times, we were able to participate in some of the college activities.

One day I received a call from the director of a play that was going to be presented. I was told that they wanted me to play a part in the production. My little teen heart was thrilled as I entered rehearsal hall. Then came the bomb, “Oh, it was not you we were thinking about—it was your cousin. Can you have him come in?” As I recall they did not use him for the part either, so I guess we both suffered a sort of rejection. 

Across the centuries since Jesus commissioned His church to go forward and make disciples of all nations, many believers have suffered rejection in the form of every type of persecution and even death.

One of the first apostles to suffer martyrdom was James, son of Zebedee. It is related that he stood brave and strong at his trial without wavering. The soldier who guarded him was so moved that He accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. When the time came for James to be beheaded, the soldier knelt beside him and also was beheaded.

I want that steadfastness in my own life. My desire is to walk so closely to the Lord that even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will have no fear.

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

- – – Pastor Cecil

360-570-0074
PastorCecil@Daily-E-Votional.com

P.S. – You can find previous E-Votionals covering a variety of Scriptures and topics to help you in your walk with the Lord at www.Daily-E-Votional.com.

P.P.S. – I have completed my first book, 100 of Pastor Cecil’s Select Illustrations. The cost is $12.95 plus shipping. You can now order it online by going to http://daily-e-votional.com/book-by-pastor-cecil . . . You may want to consider this book as a thoughtful gift idea for those who do not have Internet access or as helpful sermon illustrations for your Pastor.

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