By Greg Laurie
| “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” | |
The great preacher John Wesley was riding along on his horse one day when he realized that three days had passed, and he had not been persecuted in any way. Not a single brick had been thrown in his direction. He had not been hit by an egg. So he actually stopped his horse and said out loud, “Could it be that I am backslidden or I have sinned?” Slipping down from his horse, he knelt on one knee and asked the Lord to show him if there was anything wrong with him spiritually.
A man who disliked Wesley saw him kneeling in prayer, so he picked up a brick and threw it at him, barely missing the preacher. When Wesley saw the brick fly by, he said, “Thank you, Lord! I know I still have Your presence.”
No wonder he was such a powerful preacher.
Your very presence and belief in God bothers some people. Sometimes you don’t even have to say anything. You are like a bright light, shining in a dark place. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18). You will be treated the same way Jesus was.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). Sometimes persecution can show itself in a brick coming our way or in physical harm, even death. At other times, it can show itself in mockery or rejection or losing a job or friends. But if you are living a godly life, then you will face persecution.
Related articles
- Hated For The Light, Pastor Phil Sessa (magnifyhisword.wordpress.com)
- What if We Knew When the World Would End? (life4given.wordpress.com)
- The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God (countdowntoeternityblog.wordpress.com)
- Why Do People Hate a “Good Person”? The 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (thesacredpage.com)
Greg is a strong believer in Jesus Christ and in the need for revival in today’s Church. He likes reading, writing, music, and spending time with his family and his dog Roxie. By day he is a self-employed non-emergency medical transport driver, and is the Editor-in-Chief for the National War Council, as well as being a political analyst, author, blogger, and an accomplished DIYer. His articles are first published on Inspirational Christian Blogs, and I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Christ!, and from there the articles are published on other well-known conservative websites.
The author feels convinced that the Church is in extreme danger of being forsaken by God for being unbiblical and seeks to warn all those with “ears to hear.” He believes we are in the last days of the end times, and that God is building His Remnant Church even now.
Greg is the author of: Spiritual Darkness is Destroying America and the Church and
The Jehovah’s Witnesses: Dedicated Servants or Dangerous Heretics?
Categories: INSPIRATIONAL DEVOTIONS
Who’s Holding On to Who? 
Take It To The Streets
Amen bro, thank you. Lets watch for bricks, love it!
Yes, I thought this was an amazing story and quite the opposite of how we are today. Bring it on Lord and make us to be like this!
Thank you for helping us to keep the right perspective in our walk! God bless you!
Thank you Debbie, you are ever kind! Bless you sister.
This reminds me of something a friend said when I was a new Christian, many years ago. I was surprised when a friend said “The devil hasn’t been bothering me lately. I need to spend time with God to make sure there is nothing blocking our fellowship”
I also think of the words of a song by Steve Camp about 30 years ago, based on Acts 19:13-20 where the sons of Sceva tried to duplicate the miracles performed by Paul in the name of Jesus and the demon replied “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” . . .
“What would the devil say about YOUR life?
Do they know you in hell like they know your Christ?”