Did you ever hear the expression, “When you’re knee-deep in alligators and copperheads, it’s hard to remember that your primary objective was to clean out the swamp?” That’s how I imagine John the Baptist must have felt as he stared at those damp, cold walls of Herod’s dungeon, day after day, not knowing if he would ever leave this place alive. Wouldn’t you be scared in that predicament? Wouldn’t you have worries or concerns? Wouldn’t you begin to question your “core beliefs” if you knew that those very beliefs were responsible for your present difficulties? Would you be thinking, “Is it worth it?”

How do we cope with these kinds of difficulties and worries? Is it really worth the trouble going through these difficulties? Notice what our Lord says, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Mat. 5:11-12). Jesus says going through difficulties because of your faith is worth every effort – for a great reward awaits those who overcome. When we over come, then we can come over. Bring on the alligators!

Shake or Nod!

Have A Great Day!

Tom Moore
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.parkheightscoc.com