The Joy of Belonging to Christ
Matthew 5:10-12
The word "blessed" means happy—a counterintuitive concept when paired with persecution. Yet Jesus reveals a profound truth: persecution confirms our identity in Christ. When the world pushes back against your faith, it's evidence you belong to Him. The kingdom of heaven isn't just a future promise; it becomes yours now. This blessing isn't about enjoying hardship, but recognizing that opposition validates your authentic discipleship. Today, consider how your faith makes you different. Are you living distinctively enough to be noticed? The early disciples rejoiced when counted worthy to suffer for Jesus' name. Their joy wasn't in pain, but in proximity to Christ. Your persecution connects you to a legacy of faithful witnesses who chose eternal reward over temporary comfort.
The word "blessed" means happy—a counterintuitive concept when paired with persecution. Yet Jesus reveals a profound truth: persecution confirms our identity in Christ. When the world pushes back against your faith, it's evidence you belong to Him. The kingdom of heaven isn't just a future promise; it becomes yours now. This blessing isn't about enjoying hardship, but recognizing that opposition validates your authentic discipleship. Today, consider how your faith makes you different. Are you living distinctively enough to be noticed? The early disciples rejoiced when counted worthy to suffer for Jesus' name. Their joy wasn't in pain, but in proximity to Christ. Your persecution connects you to a legacy of faithful witnesses who chose eternal reward over temporary comfort.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Jireh - The God Who ProvidesChatGOD not ChatGPT - Real Intelligence Over Artificial IntelligenceThe Victory We Already HaveWords That Changed EverythingTrue Repentance vs. Empty FaithTwice His: Made and BoughtWalking In Your New IdentityThe Call to FollowChoosing Your MasterTearing Down WallsThe Great PhysicianA Life That MattersThe Joy of Belonging to ChristLove in the Face of OppositionGod Our Refuge in TroubleEndurance Produces CharacterRejoicing in Heavenly RewardRooted in the Right Place
2025
September
God's Unfailing LovePerseverance in FaithRedemption and ForgivenessHope In Times of ChangeShining God's Light Through BrokennessAbswering The Call To Follow JesusBecoming Like ChristBeing Salt And Light In A Broken WorldBuilding On The RockA Closer Walk With TheeNew Creation In ChristExercising Your FaithFully Committed DiscipleshipAbiding In Christ's LovePruning For Growth
October
Bearing Fruit Through PerseveranceFinding Joy In The JourneyLiving As Pilgrim's In A Transient WorldSurrendering All To GodActive Obedience in God's WorkBuilding on God's FoundationPerseverance in Doing GoodJoining God in His WorkHolistic DiscipleshipChoosing JoyThe Power of CommunityRenewing Your MindStewarding Your Body for God's GloryCounting Our BlessingsThe Transformative Power of GraceExtending Grace to OthersFinding Hope in SufferingLiving a Life of ThanksgivingFrom Worry to WorshipPower of PerspectiveThe Secret of ContentmentGrateful for the FleasReframing Your Story
November
The Foundation of JoyUnceasing Prayer - God's Open DoorThanksgiving In All CircumstancesThe Practice of ThankfulnessReflecting Christ Through ThanksgivingThe Mathematics of GraceThe Widow's InvestmentRivers, Not ResevoirsThe Hilarious GiverWhere Your Treasure IsThe Unity of Heaven's WorshipWashed in the Blood of the LambThsnkgiving in Every CircumstanceThe Heartbeat of WorshipLiving Heaven's Culture on EarthChoosing Praise in Prison MomentsContinual Praise, Constant VictoryLiving Counter-Culturally With joyThe Sacrifice of PraiseTransmittable Thanksliving
December
But God - When Situations Seem ImpossibleRedeemed and ClaimedThe Date Palm - Strength in Harsh ConditionsA Well of Hope, Not an EyedropperWatch This - God's Specialty in Unexpected RedemptionYou Are SeenThe Peace That Surpasses All UnderstandingWorthy of LifeFrom Outcast to AncestryHe See You - He Always HasThe Sound of FaithThe Sound of ObedienceThe Sound of RedemptionGod is AbleThe Joy of the Lord Is Your StrengthThe Broken PotLove Enters Broken PlacesLove Does Not Rush GriefLove Redeems the Darkest StoriesJedediah - Loved by GodChristmas Isn't Over - The Ongoing Incarnation
Categories
no categories
No Comments