September 22nd

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad for great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12

Manipulation, intimidation and sarcasm are the weapons that Satan uses in people to wear down our self-esteem and Christ likeness. These are the flaming arrows from Satan that have very little basis in truth. This is part of the wrestling match for our soul when Satan wants us to be so down hearted that we renounce Christ because we feel that we have been abandoned.

To see the beauty of the face of Christ, we must survive the storm and fury of evil that seeks to disown us and separate us from our Savior and Creator. If we would quickly see the magnificence and love of Christ, evil would have no chance.

Therefore, evil tends to cut us off before we have the chance to know Christ Jesus. In trusting Christ, we will find a great reward in heaven as the Bible declared that we would. It is a privilege to be persecuted for Christ sake and He will honor us for this sacrifice that we make for Him. Christ will honor us for honoring Him when we share in the sufferings of Christ.