Pray for the Word to be accepted, even when the world rejects you

[Maryanne Winder Lester]

Pray for the Word to be accepted, even when the world rejects you.

4/9/2010

In late March, the Holy Spirit placed it in my heart to write a daily devotional to bring glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have been faithful in this assignment. Every day, I share these writings on my Facebook notes, email them to friends and family, post them on the websites of 2 fellow believers and on my own website. I have not done this to bring glory to myself, but to bring glory to our God in Heaven. But through my devotion to God, I have noticed that I am now hearing less and less from my friends and family. Some continue to encourage me, but the discouragers are greater in number than the encouragers. I have had family members ask me to remove them from my email contact list because they did not want to receive these “random emails.” My own mother has voiced her opinion that I should be cleaning house or looking for a paying job rather than spending my time writing about the Word of God. Even some members of my church, whom I have faithfully served beside, have stopped calling me and recommended that I follow a certain protocol in sending emails to the ministers and elders of my church. I did not understand why this was happening. But I continue because this is my calling. I will not be discouraged. I stand on God’s word in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Remember Him in all you do and He will lead you down the right path.”

Every morning before I begin my writings, I pray to Our Father and the Holy Spirit to guide me to the Words I am meant to share. This morning I was reminded that the Word is the Living Word. It was not written to apply instruction only to the disciples who walked beside Jesus while He was living in the world. It was written for us to continue on. It is a NOW word. This morning, The Holy Spirit sent me to several specific scriptures which were Jesus’ words to show me and encourage me to keep pressing forward. And these Words are what I want to share with you today.

Firstly, Jesus says in Matthew 5:10-12. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” These verses tell me that I should expect to be persecuted for spreading the Word of God. But that I should still be happy and continue because I will be rewarded with blessings for these works. It’s not about me, it’s all about the Word of God!

And in Mark, the 6^th chapter, Jesus went back to His own country and began to teach. Beginning in the verses 1-4, “…And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands? Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?’ So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.’” Close friends, family members and even fellow servants in my own church are probably wondering, “Who is she to be telling us anything. “ They know me as the world sees me because I am familiar to them. They see me a just another woman, not as the disciple of God that I have become. I speak the Words of God, not the words of Maryanne.

And then, speaking to His disciples, Jesus commanded them to go out to other cities to teach, in verse 11, Jesus says, “And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.” Jesus instructed His disciples to teach. I am also His disciple. So, when I am rejected for spreading His Word, I should not be offended or discouraged and I should just shake it off. Those who reject me will be judged for rejecting the Word of God. I am only His vessel.

Jesus speaks again to His disciples in Mark 13:10-13. “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now, brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” As I said before, the Holy Spirit gives me the words to share with you. I know that, without a doubt. This is the essence of knowledge, understanding and wisdom. This is what my Bishop, Eddie L. Long means when he speaks of the vision of New Birth, “Love like Him, Live like Him and Lead like Him.” I expect to be rejected and I am not discouraged. And, I will continue with my daily writings because I have been instructed to do so by the Holy Spirit. What an awesome assignment He has given me. I am honored to be able to share His words with you.

This morning I pray,

Most merciful and faithful God,

I pray to you this morning for all You have promised to me as Your faithful servant and disciple. I will continue to follow Your instructions in Your living Word and share with all, the Words delivered to me by The Holy Spirit. Please provide me with the strength and endurance to not be discouraged when I am rejected or persecuted for sharing Your Word. I pray that those who may reject me will still be able to hear You and follow the example of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Blessed be Your Name,

Amen.

Maryanne Winder Lester 4/9/2010