This post is the first in a series of studies about “Surprises”.
Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts about each verse and how you will be acting on each thought. Also, if you haven’t yet signed up to receive the notifications of new studies, you can do that today. (The form is at the bottom of the page).
Surprises – Day 1
The Bible is very clear that we, as believers in Jesus, will not be appreciated by the world systems. It happened in Biblical times, and it is still happening today. Jesus was not appreciated by the authorities, neither were his disciples, and St. Paul had several clashes with civil authorities.
1 John 3:13
Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
The Thought
It is the last week in September 2022 as I begin this study and it seems a good moment in world history to be talking about surprises from The Lord. We need some good ones! We have seen covid come and go and now it is trying to make a come-back! There are wars, rumours of wars, hardship, famine and plague.
Many in the Christian world are praying that our Heavenly Father will bring us some good surprises soon. The world political news seems worse than ever, and we are all ready for some encouragement. The verse above seems appropriate for our time.
The basic problem, is that there is an enemy who hates us and whose aim is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). That verse ends with the encouragement from Jesus. But I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.
How many Christians are there as world leaders? Not enough! How many Christians are there in your local government? Probably not enough! Many of them are probably very nice people, but many aren’t. Too many have their own agenda, or the devil’s hidden agenda, and may not realise it!
The Bible tells us very clearly that we, as believers in Jesus, will not be appreciated by the world systems. It happened in Biblical times, and it is still happening today. Jesus was not appreciated by the authorities, neither were his disciples, and St. Paul had several clashes with civil authorities and church leaders of his day.
Action
Pray today for your local and national governments that they would hear from Almighty God who sees their every move, and hears all their discussions.
Pray that Holy Spirit will reveal Himself and surprise many people in positions of authority.
Read 1 John 3 today and recognise afresh that God is capable of removing ALL sin, even from guilty politicians.
Pray for the enemy’s plans to be replaced by God’s plans.
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Great information
Norma Jean