Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Many don’t include these Words and teaching in their theology or even spend time reading these words of Jesus. Imagine having one of the worst experiences in your entire life and you ask Jesus what you should do and He says “Rejoice!”.
I took this photo recently in the Philippines with my Huawei Nova 2i.
You are Reviled, persecuted, spoken about falsely- REJOICE!
Recently we had to face such persecution and even the threat of being put in jail. This is not like spending time in jail in the USA, but, the last time I visited a local jail, there were 7 prison cells and almost 200 inmates. I am told this number has almost doubled. There was so much testimony and much anger from those accusing us. What was amazing, was the people that were listening were seeing our composure and lack of fear. Peace!
It is human nature to defend ourselves and try to be right. But we went in peace and let God be our Defense!
Jesus and The Book of Acts
As we read about the life of Jesus, we see many people came to hear Him speak, but there were also usually those who tried to start trouble for Him. He wasn’t doing something wrong, but treated like He was. Most of the preaching in the Book of Acts produced two types of response. Revival or riots or both. Most of the both!
Joh 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
Joh 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
We have been seeing great harvest and such wonderful works of God’s Spirit here in the Philippines. So many open doors and so many receiving our Gospel message. But then comes this intense and fiery persecution. As we read Acts, we see many times the response of the persecution is to leave the area and go to another. But they continued to preach the Gospel wherever they went.
Hallelujah!
To be counted worthy to live for Jesus and to also suffer for His sake. Time to Rejoice!
The attack has come from several directions. One of the most threatening attacks has subsided. The other, hopefully is over. But it may be we will have to move for awhile to keep my family safe. Still preaching the Gospel. Still winning a harvest in the Philippines. But moving to another area until the time we can return. My heart has always been to cover all of the Philippines with the Good News of the Only Savior Jesus Christ. Moving to a new harvest field is not bad news to me.
Please pray for us during this transition.
Thank you and God Bless,
Daddy William
I bless you Dady William, thank you that you are a man who knows what you have believed in and as long as you have that identity in Christ all things will help you for good.
Apostle D.U
Amen and thank you!
Sorry it has taken me so long to get to this post Daddy William @mhm-philippines - a good read. Glad you managed to avoid jail. Remaining composed and faithful, a good combination I reckon.
If you have not seen my last post, please take a look - you and sc-philippines get a mention.
Be well friend.
SirKnight
Posted using Partiko Android
Thank you so much! God bless you!
Indeed following Jesus is not a bed of roses . Jesus Himself foresaw this that's why He advised that who so ever wants to follow Him must first deny himself.
Believe me, there is more to this statement other than the literary meaning.
To sum it up, I think one of the ways to know that you're actually following after His foot steps and doing His will is when we are confronted with persecutions and tribulations even from people that are within the 'household of faith'
Thanks once again for the share. It was a good read.
Amen!