September 6

Luke 21:10-19 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers [1] and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.

Observation

What a scary picture of what is come, especially to the believers. However, Jesus also highlights that it those situation which becomes our opportunity to bear witness.

Application

Even in what can be perceived as a scary and unimaginable situation of being persecuted for HIs name's sake, Jesus let's us konw that we ought to make use of such exact opportunity to bear witness. I don't know if that witnessing opportunity would come to my mind as being a priority in such a situation. Even in the gentle, mundane, everyday situations, such as at work, I lack making use of opportunity to bear witness.

Prayer

Lord, I confess to you that I have been hesitant to share the good news to those I encounter. I wish to be more bold in identifying opportunities to bear witness, even during my everyday life, at home and at work. As you have promised, I trust in you that you'd have the Holy Spirit guide me in what to say, that I'd only need to have the desire to spread the good news and to take the initial step of bearing witness of your grace. Amen.

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