JCSM's Weekly Devotions (click here to listen!)

"Prayerfully Persevering Through Persecution"

Ephesians 6:17, 18  "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."

James 5:10, 11  "My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.  Indeed we count them blessed who endure.  You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful."

Romans 5:1-4  "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope."

2 Peter 1:5-9  "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.  For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins."

Insight: Christians will suffer persecution in this life.  We will be discriminated against and even looked down upon by some people.  Decide now to stand strong and persevere through prayer and faithful obedience to Jesus Christ.

Prayer: "Dear Lord, bless us and help us to persevere through trials and persecutions.  Thank you for being faithful to us.  There is no other like You!  Conform us to your image, Lord.  Sanctify us and help us to know You more.  We love You, Lord.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

On January 17, 1455, Johann Gutenberg (1400-1468?) was honored today with pension for services to his community of Mainz, Germany. Gutenberg earlier had invented the first printing press with movable type. This press remained the standard for printing for the next four centuries. The first book printed was the Gutenberg Bible in 1455. It was printed in three volumes and 40 copies still exist today. Gutenberg’s printing press placed scripture in the hands of common people. The second book published was a psalter, or hymnal, used for worship.

This excerpt was taken from Donald DeYoung's book called, "365 Fascinating Facts From the World of Discovery."

(This explanation came from "The Skeptic's Annotated Bible: Corrected and Explained", by Dr. Jason Gastrich.  This book is on CD and gives over 4,000 answers to alleged Bible errors, regarding the entire Bible at http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.org.  There is also a 300 question workbook that accompanies the CD-ROM.)

When we are wholly God's, we become holy like God.

Go to church with a spiritual agenda.

Consider what the Bible says about God's kingdom.

Set things in motion through prayer and trusting God.

Are you delighting in the way God is running the universe?

Do you want a fruit-filled life?  If so, how much fruit do you want?

Plan to lead people to Jesus Christ for salvation.

Righteousness equals fruit.

The first fruit is saving faith in Jesus Christ.

The fruit of the unrighteous is stored up for the righteous.

It's difficult to grow spiritually and bear fruit without accountability.

Being busy doesn't make you righteous.

Remember the first time you did something wrong and wanted to make it right.

Those who love the Lord are disciplined.

If you want more fruit, then you have to obey God more.

There are some people who wouldn't give to churches if there was no tax deduction.

Church is a supplement to your spiritual life.

Ask an unbelieving friend to go into their closet and say, "God, if you're real, please show me."

Courage is something you can learn.

If we can be courageous, God will bless us.

Give your day to God.

If you'd like to read more quotes, you'll want a copy of Dr. Gastrich's book called, "10,000 Wise Quotes and Spiritual Sayings"!  It's the largest collection of Bible-based quotations in the world.