-Strength for Today- "Jesus Christ is the Cure for Persecution." - Matthew 5:10-12.

    As we look around the world, we’re shown different levels of persecution. Some countries, including us here in the United States of America, are constantly dealing with negative opinions and people who are constantly pulling one another down. And from that oppressive posture, “human bullying” becomes the norm, when:

·       “Demeaning words” becomes the way of,

·       “Describing another human being’s worth,”

    Here on this planet. This has been the course of the world, ever sense Satan crept into the Garden of Eden, with his “intentional lie of deception” –Genesis 3:4.

    Therefore, with the world being “veiled in darkness”, outside of faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, there’s no light to be seen in the world. Because when negativity comes our way, we can choose to either:

·       Stand in the dark, and

·       Allow it to be your “victor”, or you can

·       Trust in the Lord, and gain the meaning of who He is, and why He had to come to this “wretched” world. Jesus himself said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” – John 8:12.

    In a world that’s engulfed with negative opinions, it can be a real challenge to stop these negative thoughts from infiltrating our minds. But again our minds must be purposefully focused on holding dear to the thoughts and opinion of God. Because He doesn’t wish for the:

·       Presence or the

·       Energy

    Of negativity to have victory over us. Therefore, we must, in spite of the circumstances or the prevailing situations about us, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” – Proverbs 3:5-6. Because only here by:

·       Leaning, and

·       Trusting

    In His faithfulness can we witness the “surety” of His absolute love, grace and Justice, as we walk as children of light in this dismal world.

Author: Plez Lovelady, Jr., PhD