Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of song and lyrics from the Maranatha Promise Band singing a modern version of the old hymn Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus ... powerfully singing of our call to stand up for Jesus in today’s hostile world.
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Highlight Verse[s]: John 12:42-43 [NKJV] ... 42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
... The cost to stand for Jesus in His day was just too much for a number of the Pharisees, perhaps like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, who later helped bury Jesus after His death.
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 12:37-43 [NKJV] ... USE THIS LINK ...
... Some of the Pharisees had come to believe in Jesus as The Christ, but wouldn’t stand up for him for fear of rejection, or even death, by their fellow Jewish leaders.
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Reference Passage : ... Luke 9:23 [NKJV] … 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. …”
... What Jesus demands of anyone who would be His DISCIPLE.
Reference Passage : ... Ephesians 6:10-13 [NKJV] ... USE THIS LINK …
... The Apostle helps fellow Christians realize that we have what it takes to stand up for Jesus, even under great persecution.
Reference Passage : ... 1Peter 3:15 [NKJV] ... 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ...
... God, thru Peter, exhorts Christians to be ready … ALWAYS … to have an answer to those who challenge our faith …
My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, uses reference to a recent movie about the Apostle Paul to illustrate how Jesus calls all disciples, like His Apostles, to stand up for our faith in the marketplace of ideas and interaction. … The ODB author wrote: The film Paul, Apostle of Christ [see photo] takes an unflinching look at persecution in the early days of the church. Even the movie’s minor characters reveal how dangerous it was to follow Jesus. Consider these roles listed in the credits: “Beaten Woman; Beaten Man; Christian Victims 1, 2, and 3.”
Identifying with Christ often came at a high cost. And in much of the world, it’s still dangerous to follow Jesus. Many in the church today can relate to that kind of persecution. Some of us, however, may feel “persecuted” prematurely—outraged any time our faith is mocked or we suspect we were passed over for a promotion because of our beliefs.
If readers saw the movie referenced in the ODB entry today [again, see photo], you know it depicts how the Apostle Paul was “called” to suffer greatly while standing for His faith in Jesus and carrying the Gospel message, … yes, even to the Gentiles, who were a hated people by their fellow Jews. It eventually cost Paul’s life; but prior to his martyrdom, he was beaten and imprisoned (several times) for years at a stretch.
Oh, for sure, the oppression and aggression against Christians is growing in this world today, … yes, even in this so-called “free country.” However, our challenge as Christians in America is no where near what it is for many believers around the world, … where brothers/sisters in Christ are being martyred daily. But, nonetheless, all Christians, are called out by Jesus Himself and by the scriptures above, to stand for our faith … NO MATTER WHAT we encounter!
And the oppression is going to get worse, my fellow believers. And I think we all know that, don’t we? So, I’m praying that we all will be able to stand for our faith … as did the Apostles, who almost all died for theirs.
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My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, ... for giving us Your grace to be able to have Your strength to stand up for You in this world.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray, Lord, that all reading here will join me to follow You even as You have called us … to stand up for You and and, yes, even to suffer, or die, if necessary, for Your glory. … Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.</ span>
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