Scriptural Ground

 

Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. (John 15:20 NIV)

 

Prayer of Approach

 

Almighty God from whom comes life, strengthen me now for the task that is ahead, the task that will reveal whether you are respected or whether you are rejected. You have assigned me this responsibility. You have granted me this opportunity to serve you. Let me not fail to represent your presence in all that I undertake to think, to say and to do that your Name may be glorified. You are the God of salvation. Be present with me in this place that I may know your strengthening and be saved from forgetting that it you whom I serve. Let your will be made known clearly to those who are around me in every way. Lead me in the path that you want me to take that there may be every opportunity for your will to be understood. Bring to yourself those whom you will and glorify your presence in this place. Receive this prayer in the saving Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

A Moment With God

 

When we act we are giving an opportunity for the Word of God to be heard and received in the lives of others through our own obedience to what God has said. This is a lifestyle that Jesus Himself adopted, that is, obedience to the will of the Father in all situations. However, His submission to the divine will did not always bring about rejoicing and acceptance of what God wanted in the lives of others. At times He encountered severe opposition to what He was seeking to do. On other occasions there was rejoicing by those who were touched by His presence. We are no different. It is our responsibility to know what is required of us by our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. However, as we seek to implement His Word in the situations of life we could find ourselves passing through the fire of persecution. Do not lose heart. Do not faint. Do not collapse. Be faithful to your call. There are also those who wish to receive what the divine Word has to offer. Remember them. Find them. Comfort them as you allow the presence of Jesus with you to touch their lives.