Daily Devotional with Dr. Duane Brooks
May 2, 2017
1 Peter 4:16
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
New International Version (NIV)
                How are we suffering as Christians in the United States?  One pastor remarked, "Everywhere the Apostle Paul went there were riots; everywhere I preach they serve tea and cookies."  Many believers in our world are suffering for the cause of Christ.  I know we are often annoyed at the seismic cultural shifts in our country.  Persecution may well be on the horizon.

                Peter knew all about suffering from beatings and imprisonments.  He was on his way to a cross, where according to history, he was crucified upside down.  Remember in Acts when he said to the authorities that he would continue to preach Jesus Christ because it is the only name that saves (Acts 4:12).  When they beat him and Peter, they went back to the disciples honored that they had been counted worthy of suffering for the name of Jesus.

                Whatever you do, please do not be ashamed of the name of Jesus.  Don't whisper it in hushed tones lest somebody hear you say it.  God has taken the name of Jesus and made it the name above every name.  Someday every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Be bold in loving Jesus.  Be courageous (not obnoxious) in speaking his name.  When we preach and live with the conviction of the early Christians, we may discover that the gospel we present creates tension which will cause us to suffer for the sake of the name of Jesus.  And should it happen to us, let us rejoice.
Pray with me:  
Father, today we thank you for the high and holy, mighty and majestic name of Jesus.  In his name the sick have been healed and the dead raised.  In his name salvation has come to people all around the earth.  Thank you for allowing us to carry the name Christ in our lives as Christians.  Let us take his name with us everywhere we go.    
I want to invite you to join me in memorizing 52 passages this year from the 2017 set of Fighter Verses.  You can find the Fighter Verses App at the App Store on your phones or via this link  http://fighterverses.com/the-verses/fighter-verses/. As we study the Bible this year, let's look at each text and learn what it says about God. 
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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