Feeling Persecuted

I was raised to be tolerant of others beliefs. As such, I tend to avoid discussions of politics and religion, especially in social media such as Facebook. I even have friends that have somehow missed that I'm Christian because I don't really talk about my beliefs except to Christian family members and friends. Usually, religious discussions with my friends are "Are you happy with your belief system? Okay then. I'm happy with mine too. We're good."

I have a 'friend' (more of an acquaintance really) who is obviously anti-Christian. I had hidden more than one of her Facebook posts and moved on. Until last night.

Last night, I check my Facebook via phone before bed to find several shared anti-Christian photos in my feed. And my phone doesn't have the ability to hide posts. 

This upset me because I sincerely try not to attack anyone for what they believe. Anyone. No matter what they believe. No matter what they do. Unless they ask me, then I will give an honest opinion. But I keep politics and religion off of my page. Pretty much completely. So to feel like my beliefs were being attacked by this person was pretty upsetting, as I'm sure you can imagine.

I contemplated posting on one of her posts and saying something along the lines of 'you know, not all Christians think that' or posting on my page about how devastating it is to log into your account and feel attacked. Instead, I reached for my Bible and turned to the Beatitudes. 

And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.  Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.

^{Luke 6:20-22 (NASB)}

^{“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.}

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

^{Matthew 5:10-12}

 <sup>This morning, I defriended this person. I am trying to make my life better and don't need to have exposure to repeated posts in my feed. Not if they are going to upset me. 

A girl can only be expected to take so much.

I know that I'll be persecuted for my beliefs. Some by non-Christians who don't understand. Some by fellow Christians that don't think I'm doing it right. And I'm okay with that. Because persecution just equals a greater reward in heaven.</sup>
   

More Bible Verses!

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Colossians 3:23-24 (NASB) 

 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 22:27-39

Ephesians 4:22-24

Ephesians 4:22-24

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,  and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which ⁱn the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

An Unaccepting Heart

I'm just gonna put this here for you all to read... I want to post every verse from today's devotional because they're all good ones, figured posting the whole devotional was easier. :)

Matthew 6:24

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Matthew 6:24

Isaiah 9:6

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6 (NASB)

This is getting me in the mood for Christmas... :)

Reading the Bible in a Year Post #2

<sup>Well, as you can expect, Mom and I have read A LOT since June.

We finished Numbers, and have read Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, 1 Kings, Obadiah, and Jonah. We've also read parts of Psalms and are currently in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. So out of the thirty nine books of the Old Testament we have read eighteen and are currently reading three others. That puts us about halfway finished with the Old Testament.

Our chronological reading plan has us jumping around a lot. I think I have like four different bookmarks in my Bible right now.</sup>
  
It was decided to wait to read the Apocrypha because my mother hasn't gotten the book yet. I'm going to get it for her for Christmas. So after that, we'll have to make a reading schedule for the Apocrypha on its own. I'll probably be reading some of it, because there are sections that are parts of OT books, like the extended versions of Esther and Daniel. She'll just have to catch up if we read those before Christmas.

So far, Proverbs was probably my favorite. But I already knew loved that book, its always been a favorite. Psalms has been harder than expected to get through, it helps if I read it aloud. Joshua was more boring than I thought it would be, so that was a bit of a disappointment, as was Jonah. I was all excited to read about the fish / whale and all that happened was "Jonah was swallowed by a fish. Jonah prayed. The fish spit him out." I was expecting a little more excitement.

Tonight, we start reading Isaiah.