The scripture for today, August 17 (8/17), is Romans 8:17 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs ~ heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (see also Galatians 3:16)
I Peter 4:12-14 says we should not be surprised when persecution happens, “as though something strange was happening to you.” If we are insulted because of Jesus, we are blessed.
Notice, we are co-heirs with Christ IF we share in his suffering. Have you shared in Jesus’ sufferings lately? Have you ever in your entire life shared in Jesus’ sufferings? If not, you haven’t told very many people about Jesus loving them or stood up for Jesus when people around you were making fun of him or using his name as a swear word.
Are you sinning by omission? Do you huddle with your church friends all the time and brag that all the friends you have are Christians? Jesus didn’t. Jesus went out to “seek and save the lost.” Are you seeking?
Sometime today, say something to someone about Jesus ~ someone in a store, at work, a neighbor, a fellow passenger on a bus. They probably won’t insult you. This may be exactly what they’ve been looking for. But if they do insult you, accept it graciously. Then go on your way feeling honored to be a “co-heir with Christ” by “sharing in his suffering.”
Try it. I dare you!
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“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.”
“The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary.”
The scripture for today, August 7 (8/7), is Hosea 8:7 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:
“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”
The scripture for today, July 30 (7/30), is John 7:30 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:
“For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do ~ this I keep on doing.”
“Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him.”
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”