GLORY TO FOLLOW

"If you are insulted because of the name of CHRIST , you are blessed , for the SPIRIT of glory and of GOD rests on you. " 1 PETER 4: 14 .......... HAVE YOU EVER BEEN MOCKED , INSULTED , CHALLENGED , HARASSED, PERSECUTED, IGNORED , CAST ASIDE , RIDICULED OR MAYBE EVEN HATED BECAUSE YOU LOVE CHRIST ?......... IF SO WE NEED TO SERIOUSLY TAKE COMFORT IN THE SCRIPTURE ABOVE ........... IT CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT BECAUSE WE FEEL MORE ALONE THAN EVER, HOWEVER JESUS WANTS US KNOW THAT BECAUSE WE SUFFER FOR HIS NAME SAKE NOW , THERE WILL BE GLORY TO FOLLOW ............. WHEN WE STAND FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND FIND OURSELVES THE TARGET OF SUFFERING, WE SHARE IN LORD'S SUFFERINGS AS WELL ....... JESUS CHRIST WAS THE LAST BLOOD SACRIFICE ......... HE DID NOT DIE IN VAIN .......... AFTER HIS DEATH , THERE WAS GLORY IN HIS RESURRECTION AND THE ETERNITY OF LIFE IN HEAVEN FOR ALL WHO CALL UPON THE HIS NAME AND REPENT OF THEIR SINFUL WAYS .......... ONE DAY OUR PAIN AND SUFFERINGS WILL BE NO MORE AS IT GIVES WAY TO THE GLORY THAT CAN ONLY BE HAD FROM A LOVING AND RIGHTEOUS GOD .......... THE GOD WHO SENT HIS SON JESUS TO DIE FOR ALL MEN AND WOMEN , YET IRONICALLY ,NOT ALL MEN AND WOMEN WILL COME TO BELIEVE THIS.......... SO HENCE, THERE WILL BE SUFFERING FOR THOSE WHO DO BELIEVE ...........PETER CALLS US TO A LIFE OF HOLINESS THAT IS A REFLECTION OF OUR JEHOVAH GOD ......... PETER ALSO ASKS US TO BE HUMBLE , JUST AS OUR LORD JESUS WAS HUMBLE , WHEN WE ARE DEALING WITH ALL PEOPLE .........LISTEN TO WHAT CHRIST HAS TO SAY ABOUT RETALIATION : " You have heard that it was said , ' Eye for eye , and tooth for tooth . But I tell you , Do not resist an evil person . If someone strikes you on the right cheek , turn to him the other also . And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic , let him have your cloak as well . If someone forces you to go one mile , go with him two miles . Give to the one who asks you , and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you . You have heard that it was said , ' Love your neighbor and hate your enemy .' But I tell you : Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you , that you may be sons of your FATHER in heaven . He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good , and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous . If you love those who love you , what reward will you get ? Are not even the tax collectors doing that ? And if you greet only your brothers , what are you doing more than others ? Do not even pagans do that ? Be perfect , therefore , as your heavenly FATHER is perfect . " MATTHEW 5 : 38-48....WE NEED TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS AND LESS LIKE OURSELVES ........PETER TELLS US OF THE PROPHETS WHO WROTE ABOUT CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS , " Concerning this salvation , the prophets,who spoke of the grace that was to come to you , searched intently and with the greatest care , trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the SPIRIT of CHRIST in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of CHRIST and the glories that would follow . " 1 PETER 1: 10 - 11 .......... TO BE AS CHRIST WOULD HAVE US TO BE REQUIRES US TO HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM ............ BY STUDYING HIS WORD WE COME TO UNDERSTAND WHO OUR SAVIOUR IS .........HIS WORD ALSO TEACHES US WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US SO THAT IN RETURN WE ARE ABLE LOOK FORWARD TO THE GLORY THAT WILL FOLLOW ......................................................................SUMMER