“God blesses those who realize their need for him, - those who mourn, Reinterpret your circumstances

“God blesses those who realize their need for him, - those who mourn, God blesses those who are gentle and lowly,- those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness Reinterpret your circumstances Change your appetites

“God blesses those who realize their need for him, - those who mourn, God blesses those who are gentle and lowly,- those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness God blesses those who are merciful, - those whose hearts are pure, Adjust your attitudes Reinterpret your circumstances Change your appetites

“God blesses those who realize their need for him, - those who mourn, God blesses those who are gentle and lowly,- those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness God blesses those who are merciful, - those whose hearts are pure, God blesses those who work for peace Reinterpret your circumstances Change your appetites Adjust your attitudes Accept the task

“God blesses those who realize their need for him, - those who mourn, God blesses those who are gentle and lowly,- those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness God blesses those who are merciful, - those whose hearts are pure, God blesses those who work for peace 10 God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God Reinterpret your circumstances Change your appetites Adjust your attitudes Accept the task? Stand your ground

God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too. Matt 5:10-13 God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too. Matt 5:10-13

Persecute 1 : to harass in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief 2 : to annoy with persistent or urgent approaches (as attacks, pleas, or importunities) : pester Merriam-Webster, I. (1996, c1993). Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary. Includes index. (10th ed.). Springfield, Mass., U.S.A.: Merriam-Webster.

God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too. Matt 5:10-13 God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too. Matt 5:10-13

Persecution VS Prosecution 1.To take legal action against 2. Attempt to prove guilt the subjecting of a group of people to cruel or unfair treatment, for example, because of their ethnic origin or religious beliefs

Persecution VS Prosecution Is meant to be an exercise in justice Is purposed unilaterally against the guilty Is intended to reform or rehabilitate Often has its base in God and His justice Is always unjust Is practiced against the different and weak Is intended to cause suffering Never comes from God…

What to do when persecution comes. When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. Matthew 10:23 (NLT) 1. Run if you can

What to do when persecution comes. 20 And what is the seed that fell on rocky ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and quickly accepts it with joy. 21 But he does not let the teaching go deep into his life, so he keeps it only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching he accepted, he quickly gives up. Matthew 13:18-21 (NCV) 1.Run if you can 2.Don’t give up - stand your ground

What to do when persecution comes. “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will be accused before kings and governors of being my followers. 13 This will be your opportunity to tell them about me. Luke 21:12-15 (NLT) 1.Run if you can 2.Don’t give up - stand your ground 3.Use it as time to witness

What to do when persecution comes. 14 So don’t worry about how to answer the charges against you, 15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply! Luke 21:12-15 (NLT) 1.Run if you can 2.Don’t give up - stand your ground 3.Use it as time to witness

What to do when persecution comes. If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Romans 12:14 (NLT) 1.Run if you can 2.Don’t give up - stand your ground 3.Use it as time to witness 4.Pray for them

What to do when persecution comes. …but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3b (NIV) 1.Run if you can 2.Don’t give up - stand your ground 3.Use it as time to witness 4.Pray for them 5.Rejoice

What to do when persecution comes. Each time he said, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. 10 Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT) 1.Run if you can 2.Don’t give up - stand your ground 3.Use it as time to witness 4.Pray for them 5.Rejoice – 6.Boast

“When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you. 19 The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don’t. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A servant is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. John 15:18-25 (NLT)

22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Anyone who hates me hates my Father, too. 24 If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be counted guilty. But as it is, they saw all that I did and yet hated both of us—me and my Father. 25 This has fulfilled what the Scriptures said: ‘They hated me without cause.’

20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 15:20 (NKJV)