Topic: PREVAILING OVER TRIALS AND PERSECUTIONS [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 20 April 2022
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ABOVE ONLY DEVOTIONAL
BY: ARCHBISHOP M. E. BENSON IDAHOSA
WEDNESDAY APRIL, 20TH, 2022
PREVAILING OVER TRIALS AND PERSECUTIONS
Acts 8:1-2, Acts 5:41-42 … And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. *And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
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As the believers experienced the move of the Spirit in the book of Acts, they faced great persecutions in various forms and through various means. Beloved, the devil will not give up his territory without a struggle. He will do all he can to discourage and distract us. The Bible says, “Those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, have the kingdom of heaven as their reward,” (Matt.5:10). Persecution will arise because of your faith and passion to burn for the LORD. Do not be discouraged by them. Apostle Paul counted his persecutions and sufferings as part of his qualifications as an apostle, (2Cor.11:23).
The early believers were arrested, beaten and threatened so many times but they preached the gospel all the more. They remained daring for God, despite their persecutions. They were ready to honour God than to honour men, (Acts 5:29). They remained together in fellowship with themselves and in seeking God for the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:24-31) and undeniable miracles kept happening, giving their persecutors more fear. Stephen was glad to die for Christ, and he even prayed God to forgive those who killed him, (Acts 7:55-60). That is an overcoming Life! You also will prevail over your persecutions. In Exodus 1:12, we see that the more affliction the people of God suffered, the more multiplication they experienced. Instead of being deterred by persecution, the apostles considered it a good sign and rejoiced in the privilege of partaking in the suffering of Christ. Any attempt to stop the advancement of God’s kingdom will only result in spreading it more. Nothing and no one can stop the advancement of the gospel and the Kingdom of God.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your strength and boldness that enable me prevail over trials and persecutions.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR READING PLAN
Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 105, 132
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