September 7th, 2023

Questions, Answers & Prayer:

What’s the difference between the persecution & sacrifice of God’s people & judgments of God on those who oppose Him?

The difference is seen in the two contrasting statements below:

Persecution comes from one denying Christ on one, in Christ.

Judgment’s from a righteous God come on one denying God.

God allows persecution?

God allows believers to: be persecuted &, sacrifice for the love of Christ & our loved ones. We can rejoice in our suffering because God uses the testing by fire to help us grow in patience, humility, meekness, being led by the Spirit & speaking truth boldly. We can rejoice because God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God & are called according to His purpose.

Those who oppose Christ: choose darkness &, receive God's judgments; designed to bring repentance. God doesn't desire men to perish. But if they don't repent; the darkness they choose leads to judgements. Many choose to deny & perish.

In conclusion: God prepares our hearts to rejoice even in hard times. We trust the Hands of the potter. We’re willing to be persecuted & to sacrifice for Christ. He blesses us for it.

Connection to fasting: In fasting, we voluntarily choose to sacrifice for Christ's sake by: 1) Denying our self-centered tendencies some physical food. 2) Obeying His command to humble ourselves with fasting & from a place of weakness; receiving a greater measure of God's spiritual food: Divine power, goodness, & wisdom.

Read in Isaiah 58:6-14 of the things promised when you fast.

Fasting replaces hunger for food with a greater hunger for Jesus.