“The RoseBouquet”

A student, Jesus said, is not better than his teacher, nor a servant than his master. We can expect to be treated just as He was. If the world calls Him Beelzebub (Satan), they’ll do as much to us who belong to Him. However, Jesus encourages us not to be afraid of them. Things that are secret now are all going to come out into the open. The things He tells us privately now, we can proclaim.

Nor should we be afraid of those who can merely kill our physical body, and can’t touch our soul. We are to stand in greater awe of the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell. That’s God.

Jesus explains that even sparrows, worth two for a penny, do not fall to the ground without God permitting it. God has even the hairs of our head numbered, so we can be confident that we are worth more than many, many sparrows to God. He’s watching us very closely and nothing happens to us, but that He permits it as part of His Great Big Wonderful Plan for us!

The sum of the matter is that we are not insignificant to God the Father. Rather, we have great value in His eyes. He cares for us tenderly.

So what if we are persecuted for being followers of Jesus, and living as He showed us? So what if we are treated badly, as He was? We should expect it, pray for those who persecute us, and rejoice in God’s love.

This should free us to focus on obeying Christ’s great commission, to spread this good news to people everywhere by all the means we can think of, and as far as possible until stopped by persecution.

PRAYER: Oh Father-God, sometimes we do feel rather worthless, maybe less than a half-penny sparrow, so it’s a good thing You used something as lowly as that to tell us plainly we are much more valuable. They key seems to be to identify with You, our Master, and be willing to be treated as Your were. Our value, our rewards have to be accepted by faith. But oh, we need Your help to do even that! Open our eyes, Lord!

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. Muriel’s older sister Cathy has gone to a party with plans to elope from there. But their mother is dying and wants to talk to Cathy. What is there to do but find her and bring her back - even against her will. How do you suppose Ruthe handled that? Find out by reading, Ruthe’s Secret Roses. Available in e-Book edition Softcover edition.

Families will break apart and members will betray one another! It’s happening already - and it’s suppose to get worse? Oh my!

Jesus describes the end times before He comes to reign in Jerusalem. He says to His disciples, “You’ll be hated because of Me, but if you stand firm to the end, you will be saved. When you’re persecuted, just to run to the next place of refuge. Jesus promised to return before they run out of hiding places.

Some debate whether Jesus addressed this to the Jewish side of His disciples, or all followers yet to come, including Gentile Believers. I accept both. Prophetically, Jesus was referring to the people of Israel and what it will be like before He comes to take over the throne of David in Jerusalem. But Believers of every nationality can take spiritual comfort and direction from this advice.

This scenario looks frightening, but I see some cheer too. Jesus knows all about that persecution and He knows it will not outlast our hiding places.

Personally, I understand the Church will be Raptured away and up in Heaven for the wedding feast of the Lamb. I expect to be up there during the terrors of the Tribulation here on earth. Jesus was directing this encouraging promise to the Israelite people, who are going to experience that terrible persecution — worse than any they’ve seen yet.

PRAYER: Thank You, LORD God, for the promise we can claim for our crisis now. You help us run away and hide when we are wronged for Your name’s sake. It may be only the privacy of our room where we can go to pray and hide in You, Jesus.

Starting over in a different place can be very trying, but it’s safer than sassing back to our persecutors.

Paul said we should have an answer ready for those who sincerly inquire about our faith. However, what a relief to know You said, to flee when we are ruthlessly picked on.

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. God tells me I am His own - does He ever tell you that? You can find out how by reading my novel, Ruthe’s Secret Roses

First of all, I wish you and your loved ones a Blessed and very Happy New Year! I hope these devotionals will continue to bless you day by day.

Jesus continues His pre-sending training for His workers. He tells them, they will be like helpless sheep among wolves, so they are to be shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves, always on guard against men; for they will hand them over to authorities, and even flog them in their synagogues. On account of Him, they will be brought before governors and witnesses, both to them, and to the Gentiles, or non-Jewish people. But! When they are grabbed or arrested they are not to panic an worry about what to say, or even how to say it.(I confess, I worry about “what to say, and how to say” at times).

At such times, however, Jesus says, we will be given the right words, for the Holy Spirit of God will speak through us.

Now when that sinks into the depths of our spirit, it is wonderful, freeing news! We don’t have to defend ourselves. Nor do we need to fret about how to turn this crisis into a ministry opportunity, God will do it through us.

There have been times I’ve experienced this, so I don’t know why I still tend to worry about what to say, or how to say it. The key seems to be obedience and trust. If I’m aware of being sent forth like a sheep among wolves, and giving out the gospel message, - that is doing what I’m sent to do - then if I’m taken to account before the wolves, I can safely count on this promise; I’ll be given what to say, and it will be the Holy Spirit doing it through me.

Wow! Let’s revel in this truth and try it on for size! Can you claim it? It will free us if we can.

PRAYER: I’m ashamed, LORD, I keep forgetting this wonderful promise that Your Spirit will speak through me. I forget You’ve sent me, and I’m suppose to be communicating Your message. In fact, maybe I don’t get into those “arrested” times very often, because I’ve been distracted with personal issues. But Your Holy Spirit can also speak to me, convict me, and change me into an obedient and loyal servant-daughter (or sheep) doing Your will.

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. What kind of things do you say when someone you know is dying of cancer? Or do you stay away? Ruthe was tense as a violin, but she stayed, and prayed, and the right words came to her! Watch how she handles such situations in the book, Ruthe’s Secret Roses.