What If They Hate Me?

Understanding Your Worth and Value

God Has a Plan for Your Life

What if They Hate Me?

 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”

Jesus the Christ the Son of the Living God (John 15:18)

“I don’t like what Stephen’s doing. It’s …an outrage!”

“Aw come on. He’s just passing out food to some needy widows.”

“Well, that’s not it. It’s the way he takes care of them that irks me! These women are getting healed and all kinds of miracles are happening. Makes us church

leaders look like idiots!”

“Oh, yeah. We can’t do those miracles. Looks like these Christians have a bunch of followers. So… what are we going to do about it?”

“We’ve got to stop this man. We‘re losing our grip with the people.”

“Maybe we can make up a lie about him.”

“Great idea! That’ll stir up the people. If we play our cards right, we’ll get them into such a rage that they’ll take care of the problem themselves. ”

“You mean like stoning him to death?”

“Yeah………………!”

And so Stephen, God’s honorable man was arrested and stood on trial before the religious ruling party. Lie after lie was thrown at him. Stephen’s face shone like an angel. Looking toward

heaven he said, “I see Jesus, standing at the right hand of God.” Next thing he knew, Stephen was being rushed upon by violent men and dragged to an open field. Big stones were hurled at the innocent man.

 Stephen cried, “Lord, I’m yours. Take me home.”

 Stephen even prayed for his murderers.

“Father, forgive them!”

And Stephen fell asleep and flew to heaven on angel’s wings.

Now you may say, “That’s not how I want to live.”

Chances are good you’ll never be crucified or stoned. But do you really want to live a ho-hum life? Do you really care if men think you’re strange because you love Jesus? Many are passing into hell as you read this.

If you call Him Lord you are a change agent. Get with other change agents.       You are lion

You are lioness

Let your roar arise

Change your world!

Dear Lord, I want my life to count. Your life counted and now You're with me. We can do this! Please show me!

The Argument!

God has a plan for you

The Argument!

“Cain said to the LORD, ‘My punishment is more than I can bear.’”
Genesis 4:1 
Cain was seething. He was upset with God but especially his brother, Abel.

“Why don’t you like my offering, Lord? I did my best. What’s wrong with giving you fruits and vegetables? I brought them

from my own garden.”

“Well Cain, you didn’t bring a

lamb. That’s what I expected from you.”

And Cain sat in his tent and sulked about Abel and how God liked his lamb but disliked Cain’s vegetables.
“Not fair, Lord. I didn’t want to ask Abel for one. I don't want to look weak."

“The nerve of Abel…this isn’t right! Does he think he’s better than I?"

Now God loved Cain. God had a great plan for his life. So God showed up.

“Cain, sin wants to push you around. You have a choice. You can obey me or listen to Satan… and lose!”

Sad to say, Cain didn’t listen to God. He was jealous of Abel and of God’s favor on him. He slaughtered him in the field and hoped no one would find out.

His little brother was dead.

The first murder had been committed.

And Cain lived the rest of his life as a vagabond an outcast...…always running. God placed a mark on him so no one could kill him, never the less, Cain never walked into the dream God had planned for him.

How sad!

Don’t miss the plan God has for you.

Learn His ways.

Obey His voice.

He loves—YOU!  

Dear Lord, teach me to love you. I need you so much!

The Bullies

Day Five – Great People Give God Glory

The trap was set.  “Oh yeah, we’ve got the magic key in our hands. This law signed by Darius will take care of Daniel… bring him to ruin and end Darius’ plan to make Daniel the head honcho. Let’s sneak over to Daniel’s house and catch him praying. Ha Ha!”

The enemies of God’s man

roared with laughter. Daniel’s radical prayer life was about to back fire. The King had signed the decree, a law contrived by these governors, stating no one could

ask anything from anyone except Darius. Darius was pumped by the proclamation and quickly signed it.   

Daniel knew the law. He prayed anyway. To dishonor God was shameful. He couldn’t bear it.

Sneering messengers eagerly reported, “Your Majesty, you signed this law but guess who broke it? Oh yeah…your beloved Daniel.”

So Daniel was seized and thrown into the den of lions. But the king was sad. He didn’t sleep a wink all night. In the morning he sprinted to the lion’s den. “Daniel, did your God save you?”

“Your Majesty, my God has sent his

angels and shut the mouth of the lions.”

“Woo hoo!” shouted King Darius and without a second thought commanded the conspirators of Daniel to be thrown into the den of lions. Now what happened next is unbelievable—but it’s true!

Daniel’s once jeering enemies were now scared out of their wits. As soon as

they were pitched into the den, hungry lions devoured them in mid- air.   Their

bones rattled as they hit bottom!

Daniel was honored. His enemies were shamed, and the king made a decree that all nations should tremble before the God of Daniel.

” He alone is the living God, steadfast and sure. His kingdom is forever!”

Daniel 6:25-26

Daniel was bullied—too radical they said. But he was a leader—he made a

difference. So can you. Go for it!

Dear Lord, Help me. I want to honor You above all!