All that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution; the more godly we become, the more the world will hate us and persecute us.  Jesus said, “They hated Me; they’re going to hate you.”  We still have too many Christians that want everybody to love them.  Beware when all men speak well of you, the Bible says.  Oh, the world sees the benevolence and love that we show and how we care for others.  But do they think you’re one of them?   We’re not loving on your level; this love that we’re showing you is so far beyond anything you’ve experienced, the agape love of Jesus Christ flows through us; it never fails.  Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever, His presence and His promises that are sure to a thousand generations—they never fail.  His immutability—He never changes.  Jesus is the same every time you come to Him, He’ll always give you the same counsel, His love will never feign in its expression to you.  His love is infinite, His love is perfect, His love is eternal.

These are the things that we need to hide in our hearts now, and then when you end up in jail, your faith won’t fail if you’ve allowed this process of faith to be built in you.  The trying of your faith works patience.  Remember what the word patience means.  It’s more than just endurance.  Patience is not just tolerance; patience speaks also of consistency.  If there’s anything needed among us believers today, it’s consistency.  Are you tired of the ups and downs, your emotions going out of control?  Don’t you want to be consistent like Jesus was?  “I just do always those things that please the Father.”  His consistency in the back of the boat as He proclaimed to them, “We’re pursuing the Father’s will; we’re going to go to the other side.  I’ve got a work to do over there; we’re going to preach the gospel.”  Nowhere in Jesus’ admonition did He say, “We’re going to go half way and sink.”  Do you listen that closely to God?  Why didn’t one of the disciples stand up and say, “Wait a minute, wait a minute.  You know, we’re getting hysterical here and the fear’s coming.”  Why didn’t one of them stand up and say, “Hey, wait a minute, I thought I heard Him say, “We’re going to the other side.”  Well, that is what He said.  Faith comes by hearing the Word of God; He is the Word of God; amen?  Jesus is the Word of God; every word He speaks has purpose.  And in the hysteria, in the fear, in the emotions running wild, we miss a lot of those very powerful, simplistic statements that are truth; and heaven and earth will pass away, but not one jot or tittle will pass away of His Word; amen?  Run to the Word of God.

What did Paul and Silas do when they got put in prison?  They sang praises; amen?  What do you think your response will be?  Well, how can we prepare for that?  We can start by singing praises now; amen?  Why don’t we get used to singing praises?  I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth; hallelujah!  We’re talking about getting prepared for persecution; go into persecution praising God; amen?  Let it become a part of your life.