This is a little long but all SO good and edifying that I couldn’t choose. I figure you can’t hear too much Word. And at least unlike our words, His words will NOT return void and are always Truth!
Things are really only going to get worse, no matter how much we fight it. People have totally become lovers of pleasure and self, rather than lovers of God and have given themselves over to the lusts of the flesh and fulfilling them.
But we cannot give in to the ways of the world. The Word of God has NOT changed, nor will it. It is NOT outdated, it is NOT antiquated, it is NOT obsolete… It IS living & active & powerful & sharper than any double-edged sword! It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts, attitudes, and intentions of the heart.
That is WHY the world hates it (& us & Jesus), why satan hates it, and it’s why those in the world & satan & his demons fight to silence us and, through us, God’s Word. But His Word stands forever, and God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He does NOT change! So yes, stand firm and when you have done all that you can to stand, stand, clothed in the armor of God with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, which IS the Word of God!!
What did Jesus do when satan tempted him in the desert, attacking Him while He was so weak?!? He spoke the Word of God!!! His sword, His defense; our sword, our defense! Philosophy, psychology, & reasoning will only get you so far, but the Word of God is complete & perfect!
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus WILL BE persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
ALL Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work!
If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of My name, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates Me hates my Father also.
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, but I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, for it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Have a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, for blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!
Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks the words of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
--- hodge podge of scriptures from 2 Timothy 3:12-17 &
http://www.openbible.info/topics/persecution
--- image from link to this blog - http://danielsblog.org/
Not Alone 