Jesus said, "Blessed are you
when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your
name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap
for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. (Luke 6:22-23)
I’ve seen people leap
for joy when their football team scores a touchdown.
I’ve seen people leap
for joy when a player hits a 3-pointer to win a basketball game.
I’ve seen people leap
for joy when they win the Publisher’s Clearing House. But I’ve never seen
anyone leaping for joy when they’re hated by others.
Jesus said to “leap for joy”—not when your
team wins, but when evil is being unleashed on you. One time when I was
being attacked by a mean-spirited person, another pastor told me, “You need to follow
the leaping instructions. Jesus told us to jump for joy when we’re under
attack.” I had never thought of that before—to literally leap for joy. Jesus said to "be glad in that day,”
not after you die and go to heaven.
The key is to understand what’s taking
place in heaven at that very moment. You must realize that when you’re
being hated for doing God’s will, the Lord is giving you an incredible reward
in heaven that will last throughout eternity. If He would pull back the curtain
and you could see this reward, you would be doing cartwheels and leaping for
joy. But since you can’t see it right now, you’ll
just have to take Jesus’ word for it.
LEAPING INSTRUCTIONS. (You can also leap for
joy when you are discouraged or depressed). Find a private place where
it’s just you and the Lord. Start jumping up and down while you’re praising
God. It’s that simple. Leap just like you jumped for joy when your team won. But now you’re doing it because God is blessing you in the midst of a horrible situation. And don’t be surprised if your depression and discouragement also leave
you. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net Twitter:
@KentCrockett
