Rejoicing in Persecution Matthew 5: 11-12

We journeyed to the prison again in September.  Roseann Smith gave an exceptional devotion on persecution.  Many of the prisoners related to her message.  They cntributed examples they remembered from the Bible.  Roseann talked a lot about King David and his life and what he went through before becoming king of  Israel.  The Bible is full of examples of people who went through tremendous trials in obedience to God.  Also God disciplined his servants when they were not trusting him.  There was Abraham, Job, Joseph, the three Hebrew children in the firey furnace, Daniel, and many others.  Also, in the New Testament the list included Paul, Peter, John and all the disciples mentioned.  Of course the primary example is Jesus Christ and what He endured for us on the Cross.  He never committed a sin and yet was tortured and crucified for our sins.  The scripture reading from Matthew in the New International Version reads as follows:  "Blessed are you when people insult you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  Thank you, Roseann for an anoited lesson for all of us.