August 18
(Acts 16:40 NIV) “After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left.”
(Matthew 5:10-12 NIV) “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {11} "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. {12} Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
(John 15:18-21 NIV) ""If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. {19} If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. {20} Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. {21} They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me."
When Paul and Silas got out of prison, they went back to Lydia’s house for some renewal and rest. They met with the new believers there, and then headed out again to share the gospel in another place. Paul and Silas traveled a road that few are willing to travel. Instead of being thwarted by persecution, they were motivated. Persecution does a strange thing to a committed believer. Instead of silencing us, it often ends up strengthening us. If we are active enough to receive persecution, and we endure it with grace, it often gives us a greater platform from which to share the gospel. If you are undergoing persecution in some form, remember this story. Endure it with grace. Live with hope in your heart. Stand strong and humbly praise God. If you do that, your Jesus star will rise and be seen by more people than ever, and God’s kingdom will grow because of your faithfulness. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day
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