Jan 1, 2017

A daily devotional through the recorded words Jesus spoke while He walked alongside us. Our website http://alittlewalkwithgod.com.

* In Luke 21:18–19 Jesus said: But whatever happens, not a single hair of your heads will be harmed. By enduring all of these things, you will find not loss but gain—not death but authentic life.

* Promise of no

* persecution

* beating

* imprisonment

* execution

* More - gain instead of loss; authentic life instead of death

* Never more than today

* Middle east

* Africa

* Russia

* China

* India

* Even in United States beginnings of rights removed, persecution evident, followers hated

* All the same problems as everyone else plus persecution

* What does Jesus mean? Contradiction?

* We take out of context * Forget what comes before and after these verses

* Want to use part of a discourse to our benefit

* Like to twist promises to suit our wants

* What does Jesus mean?

* Verses in the middle of end times discourse

* Signs

* Events

* Interlude to comfort disciples

* Picture scene

* Jesus sees fear

* Calms with promise of what happens for His followers during the end times

* Put verses back into context

* We have nothing to worry about

* Still hated by the world

* Still face persecution until He comes

* Still suffer as followers

* Notice He says “if we endure all these things”, means we go through them

* Then we enjoy the promises He gives

* Jesus comes again

* Returns victoriously

* Today’s words from Jesus:

* Encouragement that the end brings relief from the evil of this world

* …life everlasting

* …indescribable joy

* …eternal praise and worship of the King of kings in His presence

* Disciples needed that interlude of encouragement

* We need it today, too.