PERSECUTION
Today's reading: 2 Timothy 3-4

"Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12 NLT

The definition of 'persecute'? 1. To harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve or inflict: to cause to suffer because of belief. 2. To annoy with persistent or urgent approaches (as attacks, pleas or importunities): pester.

According to Paul, if you're living for Christ, wanting to grow in Christ, desiring to be like Christ--you're going to be persecuted.

According to Merriam-Webster, this persecution may be as easy as being pestered, annoyed or bothered or as difficult as being harmed, grieved or attacked--none of it pleasant, none of it desired.

So, tell me, are you being persecuted? Are God's enemies seeing your growth in Him as a threat to their hold on you? Does satan cringe when he sees you commit to prayer, open your Bible day after day, refuse to laugh at inappropriate jokes or live the way you used to live?

Is satan constantly and consistently on your back? Whispering in your ear? Throwing things in your path that annoy, hurt or get you off track?

If your answer is 'yes', then to you I give my heartiest congratulations! Keep up the good work.

If your answer is 'no', then I'm very sorry to hear that. Strengthen your determination to seek God with all you've got. Get back up and get going on the path towards godliness. Follow after God as if your life depended upon Him, because in all reality, friend, it does!