The beginning of sorrows, persecution - Matthew 24:8,9

Good morning fellow Christians!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
    Okay, yesterday we talked about civil wars (nation against nation) and political wars (kingdom against kingdom), hunger, diseases, and earth tremors.   Well, buckle up, for today we will be talking about things you see around you this very day, year, this past year, and what is to come in the future.
           R-E-A-D-Y-??
   Matthew 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
What you read about in the afore mentioned verses are just the beginning.  What is about to come, ooohhh, naw maw, it ain't good.
   Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
  Huh?   What?  Yes!!! In other words:  you will be arrested, you will be persecuted; you will be killed.  People all over the world will hate you because you are followers of Jesus.
  Waaa, uh, but.........Yes, my friend it is already happening.  Do you think radical Islam likes you or will tolerate you?  NO!   Do you think you can reason with ISIS?   NO!  
    Understand, this is Jesus talking and telling the disciples this information.  You, yes, YOU are a DISCIPLE of CHRIST.  Are you ready to die for what you believe?  Takes some soul searching!
   We, in America, experience persecution via the courts, lawyers, and extremists in America.  But, we in no way experience the persecution cast forth in other parts of the world.  The third world countries are going through a horrible persecution.  Would you deny God if you head was to be cut off? OR, would you proudly, yet humbly, proclaim Jesus as saviour of the world and lose you head?  Tough question, we all want to say I would stand firm on Jesus -- but until in that situation----therefore we need to continually grow in the word and our love for God, love for Jesus, love for the Spirit.
   Matthew 10:17 Jesus says, "But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils and they will scourge you in their synagogues;",  Jesus warns us over and over. 
   What are we to do?  First, love the LORD you God with all your heart, mind, and soul.  Then pray continually.  But I work.  Pray continually does not mean 24/7 every minute, every second. God can hear us through our thoughts; just short visits with God in your mind all throughout the day.  Try it!  You'll like it!!
   More to come tomorrow, stay tuned and we will carry on.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
  Johnny
through the Bible in a year at 
Christianity - Thoughts by Johnny