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And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
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Today’s message
I started by recalling a funny scene of two boys being brought to the pastor, one at a time. The third 'where is God?' made the boy run away: 'God disappeared and they think it was us!' We laughed, but I told you something serious: the blessing does not come alone. Favor stirs up people. Promotion awakens jealousy. If you expect everyone to celebrate your achievements, you will be frustrated. Don't waste energy trying to fix other people's hearts. Stay on the high road. Enjoy what God is doing while He deals with the opposition.
Jesus was direct with Peter. They had left much to follow Him. I underlined what He said: whoever has given up for my sake and the gospel will receive a hundredfold — in this time — with persecutions. It’s not a flaw in the package; it’s part of the package. Favor attracts criticism. New levels attract new opponents. The key is not to take it personally. It’s not you they don’t like; it’s the favor upon you. God knows how to reward sacrifices and sustain you in the midst of pressure.
Everything you left for me — Jesus listed
- Houses you gave up to obey God.
- Brothers and sisters who distanced themselves because of your faith.
- Father, mother, spouse, or children who did not understand the calling.
- Fields and properties, opportunities and paused projects.
Now, how do we walk in this without souring the soul? I said: don’t try to please everyone. Don’t live responding to comments, silencing gossip, winning hallway politics. God silences lying lips. He shut the mouths of lions with Daniel; He can shut the mouths of those who try to discredit you. Your time is too valuable for small battles. Maturity is enjoying the blessing despite the persecution, keeping the peace and following your purpose.
The blessing in your life does not make you untouchable, but it makes you unstoppable.
I want to give you four practical keys
- Don’t take it personally — they are attacking God’s blessing on you.
- Stay on the high road — ignore the negative talk and keep excelling.
- Don’t hide — don’t apologize for what God is doing.
- Let God defend you — He vindicates better than you explain.
I showed this in Acts 5: healing everywhere, the city impacted — and the leaders reacted with great jealousy. They imprisoned the disciples. At night, an angel opened the doors and they went back to teaching. I said: the blessing doesn’t make you untouchable, but it makes you unstoppable. If the door closed unjustly, God knows how to open it. If they try to push you down, you will come out through another door, higher than you entered. Favor is stronger than persecution.
I worked 17 years behind the scenes. When God promoted me, I saw a 'hundredfold' of opportunity — and a 'hundredfold' of talk. I decided not to live as a hostage to criticism. I kept doing my best and let God handle the rest. Isaac, in Genesis 26, reaped a hundredfold, suffered with clogged wells, and yet God led him to a spacious place. And there is promised rest for the persecuted (2 Thessalonians). Stay strong. Don’t dim your light. God defends you.
Did you know
- In Acts 5, an angel opened the prison doors and ordered the apostles to return to the temple to teach.
- In Genesis 26, the Philistines clogged Isaac's wells out of envy for his increase, and God led him to a spacious place.
- In Acts 9, Jesus confronts Saul: 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?', showing that the persecution of the Church affects Christ himself.
Key phrases
- You can't have the blessing without opposition. It's a part of the package.
- Don't take it personally. It's not you they don't like. It's the favor on your life.
- The blessing on your life is stronger than the persecution.
- You don't have to defend yourself. You have a defender.
Translated from the Portuguese original.
Seek
To seek today
Go deeper
Go deeper
Blessed with Persecution | Joel Osteen
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