---COUNTED WORTHY/ + TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST ~~

--"They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name."
--(Acts 5:40-41 / NIV)--

---Some of the apostles had been put in jail for speaking about Jesus. An angel released them and told them to go back to the Temple and tell the story again. So they did. When the Sanhedrin discovered that they were missing, they sent soldiers to bring them in for questioning. The Sanhedrin spared them from death but had them flogged, and the apostles left rejoicing.

--My question is this: If the angel is capable of letting them out of prison, wouldn’t you think the angel would have arranged an ending that didn’t include torture? Are you prepared to walk a pathway where God supernaturally intervenes but doesn’t diminish the pain of the journey? I’ve heard people talk about the intervention of God as if He is going to take away all the uncomfortable things. That thought can’t be supported scripturally, but Scripture does give us examples of people like these, who rejoiced in being counted worthy of suffering for the name of Jesus.

**THINK ABOUT IT
It is hard to imagine rejoicing in suffering, especially if our God-perspectives exclude God allowing the pain. What transformation needs to take place for you to emulate the apostles’ response in the face of affliction?

**PRAYER
--"Heavenly Father, it takes courage to yield to Your will in the midst of suffering. May faith-honoring courage inform my responses to pain and even persecution, and my first reaction be rejoicing in being found worthy to stand the test. Lord God, give me holy boldness for Your glory. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen."

Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson
[Friends, perhaps you are suffering for the cause of Jesus. Maybe a relative or close friend has forsaken you because you gave your life to Jesus. Jesus told us this would happen. We read of many people who are condemned, rejected, and sometimes put in jail for sharing their faith. The Lord has promised to be with us always. He will carry you. He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you. You are Mine. I hold you in the palm of my nail-pierced hand. "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." ~ Press onward!]
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