Today’s Devotional – May 24th (A Suffering Church is a Strong Church!)

By admin On January 18th, 2021

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Today’s Devotional – May 24th

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A Suffering Church is a Strong Church!

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“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him”

2nd Timothy 2:12

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In the first few chapters of the Book of Revelation, Christ sent out messages to the 7 churches of Asia.

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And Christ capitalized on the strengths and weaknesses of each church, as He either praised or criticized each church.

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But it is interesting, that the only two churches of which Christ had nothing negative to say, are the very two churches who were suffering persecution!

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Yes, the Church of Smyrna and the Church of Philadelphia were the two exceptions.

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Torture devices – The Wheel – Calas Chapbook – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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So what do these facts have to do with today’s devotional?

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**Well, the title of this devotional is called, “A Suffering Church is a Strong Church! So let’s explore why this title is a true statement…**

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Question Marks – At a loss – svg – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License

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THE EARLY CHURCH

If we take just a brief look at history, it is not hard to see that persecution by Antichrist forces made God’s people strong.

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This was seen in the days of the early Church, as they were persecuted by the Roman Empire.

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Yes, the early Church was heavily attacked, but as a result, was greatly strengthened during those early centuries..

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The Christian Martyrs Last Prayer – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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THE PERSECUTION DURING THE DARK AGES

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But also during the following centuries, when the apostate churches of Europe became a tyrannical beast-power, once again brought trouble and persecution upon the Church.

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And as a result, the true worshippers of God had to separate themselves from the established congregations. And for centuries, God’s true worshippers had to “flee to the mountains”, in which they lived separated lives, in the mountain strongholds of Europe.

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Did God’s people enjoy such suffering?

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Of course not! But that persecution only made the Church of God strong!

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Waldensians hunted by the armies of Rome – Courtesy Gutenberg.org – Public Domain

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SATAN’S NEW & IMPROVED ASSAULT WEAPON

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Well now, Satan realized that physical attacks were not the most effective means to destroy God’s people.

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Just the opposite! The Church only grew stronger!

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And so, at the time appointed, God permitted Satan to implement a new strategy against God’s Elect.

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Yes, Satan had a seemingly new war-machine, waiting in the wings!

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Avvakum (burned 1682) – by artist, Myasoyedov – 1897 – Wikimedia – Pub Dom.

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SATAN’S NEW STRATEGY: OPULENCE AND HEDONISM!

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And so, in the very nations which he had so greatly persecuted, he was now permitted to bring out this new and improved war-machine!

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Thus, physical violence against God’s people came to a halt.

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And instead of war, famine, persecution and poverty, Satan employed the very opposite assault on those nations: peace and prosperity, materialism, leisure, novelties, amusements, entertainment, etc..

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Yes, the Devil began to flood the western nations with every kind of diversion imaginable!

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New York Times Square – terabass – cropped photo – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

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FALSE BRETHREN BEGAN TO INFILTRATE

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And so, once the physical attacks ceased, the churches once again became filled with false brethren.

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While false brethren stayed far away from God’s churches during the times of physical persecution, now the churches filled up with worldly-minded professors of Christ!

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PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! Kunstnerfest på Skagen – 1888 – wikimedia – public domain

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PROSPERITY-DRIVEN GOSPELS, TODAY

And so, here we are today.

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Satan’s flood of earthly Mammon continues. The Church has become bloated with worldly-minded “make-believers”.

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God’s house is in a state of spiritual free-fall into its total apostasy!

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Worship services have become more and more appealing to the carnal heart.

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Evangelist Preaching – Church – Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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FUTURE REVIVAL WILL BE INDIVIDUAL

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Now for those who want to believe that God is going to revive the various churches and denominations, it should be answered, “This will not happen! That day shall never come!”

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Nevertheless, God is just now going to purify His people in such a way, as never before witnessed!

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But it will be only on an individual basis! And that is why the Book of Jeremiah refers to this day as “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”.

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Yes, just as Jacob wrestled through the night and did not give up until he received the victory blessing, so also, we must not give up, until the “Sun of Righteousness” has fully arisen in our heart! (see Genesis Chapter 32)

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Jacob Wrestling with the Angel – Wikipedia – public domain

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PERSECUTION OF ANOTHER TYPE

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And so, persecution will come to God’s people! But it may not be the kind that is so visible to others.

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There may not be any bloodhounds chasing us. There may not be black helicopters with tracking-devices searching for us.

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No, we should not be surprised if our persecution comes from invisible evil angels, to either discourage us to the point of renouncing our Christianity altogether, or at least to the point that we throw up our hands and join ranks with the apostate churches.

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Satan presiding at the Infernal Council – wikipedia – US public domain

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HEART PURIFICATION IS EVERYTHING!

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But two things are for sure, regarding the conflict!

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First, it is almost guaranteed that we will be taken by surprise, as far as the details of the coming crisis.

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And secondly, the only preparation that must be made on our part, is to begin hiding God’s precious promises in our hearts! Yes, it is totally worthless to think that food storage, or weapons arsenals or storing of gold, or building of bunkers will be of the slightest help, for the coming Day of the Lord!

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Only those who have cooperated with the Lord in personal heart purification will be able to walk through the devouring fire of persecution which is just before us!

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USMC- prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – public domain

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WHY ME LORD?

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And so, dear child of God, we should not be surprised if our lives become filled with trials and suffering.

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Listen… “And He said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 1st Corinthians 12:9, 10

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God realizes that trials and suffering are often necessary for His people. These are the means which God has chosen to purify and strengthen His people!

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Yes, the trials which the Christian might now be enduring, may very well be his or her own personal, “Time of Jacob’s Trouble”.

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Munch – Det Syke Barn – 1896 – wikipedia – US public domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to joyfully accept the trials which come upon me, knowing that they keep me looking up to Thee…

USMC- prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – public domain

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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A SIGN IN HEAVEN

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“And there appeared a great wonder (sign) in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:” Revelation 12:1

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You see, God has placed in the heavens, the symbol of His bride, the Church-Faithful. In the summer night-sky, she appears as the woman-in-travail. This is the constellation, Ursa Major. And this article will introduce you to this amazing sign of Heaven, and what it means to you and to me.

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TOMORROW:

“May 25th (What’s An Aristaphagist?)”

Herbert M. Shelton – Wikipedia – Non-Free-media-rationale

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #142 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Signs Of Heaven