Thought for the day
Some people don't handle rejection well:A soldier was serving overseas and far from home. He became annoyed and upset when his girl wrote breaking off their engagement and asking for her photograph back.
He went out and collected from his friends all the unwanted photographs of women that he could find, bundled them all together and sent them to her with a note which said:
"I regret that I cannot remember which one is you ... please keep your photo and return the others.
"How do you handle rejection? It's not a pleasant thing, but we've all experienced it. Rejection by a loved one. Rejection by a boss. But perhaps most difficult to handle is the rejection that comes as a result of living the Christian life. We want to be accepted. We want to feel like we're "part of the crowd". But, at times, our decision to live a godly life in a godless world will not be appreciated and we will be rejected.
Notice what Peter had to say about this: "Nonbelievers think it is strange that you do not do the many wild and wasteful things they do, so they insult you." (I Peter 4:4, NCV) The message throughout I Peter is that we should not be surprised at all by such rejection (4:12), but that it should never deter us from our commitment to live holy lives (1:15).
Verses
Hebrews 11:6
You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely look for him.
Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for the wrong things we did. He was crushed for the evil things we did. The punishment, which made us well, was given to him. And we are healed because of his wounds.
Ephesians 1:18
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, all things that you pray for and request, believe that you have as good as received, and you will get them.
2 Corinthians 9:6
Remember this: The person who plants little will harvest only little. But the person who plants much will harvest much.
Prayer
Father, in this decadent world where imposters are increasing in number and in their menacing deception we can easily be lured into their schemes or we can stand our ground for purity and holiness. Help us to always be on guard by familiarizing ourselves with Scripture, and arming ourselves in the attire of a Christian soldier as we do battle with the enemy of darkness.
And, Lord, for those who are dear to our heart; those who have taken the enemy’s bait and now are entrapped in sin’s deadly tentacles, we prayerfully intercede on their behalf as we cry out to You. Free them from the deadly strangle of Satan’s influence. Grant us wisdom, discernment, and favor as we interact with them. Send others to bring light to their darkened paths and to help us bear this heavy burden. We will not be defeated, for Your power that is within us is greater than the power of our enemy. We will not despair in our problems, but we will delight in Your promises. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
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