Matthew 11:18-19...Rise Above It With Love...

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

You hear a story almost everyday about how Christians are being persecuted. Not necessarily by being locked up or beaten but rather the bombardment of labels and name calling, lies that are manipulated to discourage and suppress the advancement of the gospel. This tactic is not new but has been surfacing regularly for all time. In the text of today we see where John was accused of having a demon and then Jesus accused of being a glutton and a drunkard. When we profess the gospel of Christ and live our lives according to HIs direction there will be some who will try to besmirch us with labels or outright lies. This is the way of those in the darkness. They hate the light but yet they live in the privilege of that same light. Pause for a moment and think about God and how so many of His creation professes to hate Him. Yet rising above all that hate is His love that overcomes and triumphs! Time and again God has continued to pour out His love despite the rejection by so many. He has equipped us as His followers with the tools and wisdom to overcome evil and to share the gospel story that is so desperately needed by many. Pray for the strength and endurance to continue to share God’s love and salvation with everyone…

Blessings,

Alan B Conner