“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.” — 2 Timothy 1:8 (NKJV)
Jesus never promised an easy road. He was clear from the start: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” (Matt 5:10–12). The world rejected Him—and it will reject those who carry His name with boldness.
Paul picked up that thread. He didn’t sugarcoat the cost. He wrote this letter from prison and called Timothy to join him—not just in preaching the gospel, but in suffering for it. But here’s the key: not by your strength—by the power of God.
There are two types of suffering in this world. One comes from the curse of sin—sickness, poverty, and the brokenness that entered through Adam’s fall. But we have been redeemed from that curse. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). He bore God’s wrath so we wouldn’t have to. “He became sin… so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). That kind of suffering is not from God—and you can resist it in faith.
The second type of suffering is persecution for being righteous in a world under the devil’s influence. “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). Jesus prayed to the Father, “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one… they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:15–16).
That’s the kind of suffering Paul was talking about. “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12, NLT).
Suffering doesn’t disqualify you. It identifies you. When you suffer for the sake of the gospel, you are walking in the steps of Jesus and the early Church. You are not cursed—you are counted worthy.
We don’t seek suffering. But we don’t run from it either. We face it with grace. We carry the message of Christ with boldness, even when it costs us popularity, comfort, or reputation.
And we remember: our present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come (Romans 8:18). The gospel is worth it. Jesus is worth it.
Let the Holy Spirit strengthen you today. You are not alone. You are not forgotten. You are empowered to endure. Hold fast to truth. Don’t be ashamed. Your story is part of something eternal.
Excerpt from Follow Me As I Follow Christ by Kevin Casey. Click Here: Available on Amazon (Kindle & paperback).
Jesus never promised an easy road. He was clear from the start: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven” (Matt 5:10–12). The world rejected Him—and it will reject those who carry His name with boldness.
Paul picked up that thread. He didn’t sugarcoat the cost. He wrote this letter from prison and called Timothy to join him—not just in preaching the gospel, but in suffering for it. But here’s the key: not by your strength—by the power of God.
There are two types of suffering in this world. One comes from the curse of sin—sickness, poverty, and the brokenness that entered through Adam’s fall. But we have been redeemed from that curse. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). He bore God’s wrath so we wouldn’t have to. “He became sin… so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). That kind of suffering is not from God—and you can resist it in faith.
The second type of suffering is persecution for being righteous in a world under the devil’s influence. “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). Jesus prayed to the Father, “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one… they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:15–16).
That’s the kind of suffering Paul was talking about. “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12, NLT).
Suffering doesn’t disqualify you. It identifies you. When you suffer for the sake of the gospel, you are walking in the steps of Jesus and the early Church. You are not cursed—you are counted worthy.
We don’t seek suffering. But we don’t run from it either. We face it with grace. We carry the message of Christ with boldness, even when it costs us popularity, comfort, or reputation.
And we remember: our present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come (Romans 8:18). The gospel is worth it. Jesus is worth it.
Let the Holy Spirit strengthen you today. You are not alone. You are not forgotten. You are empowered to endure. Hold fast to truth. Don’t be ashamed. Your story is part of something eternal.
Excerpt from Follow Me As I Follow Christ by Kevin Casey. Click Here: Available on Amazon (Kindle & paperback).
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Pastor Kevin Casey
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2026
January
Day 1: Knowing Jesus is Eternal LifeDay 2: That I May Know HimDay 3: The Supremacy of ChristDay 4: Christ the FoundationDay 5: Forgiven CompletelyDay 6: Forgive as You’ve Been ForgivenDay 7: A New CreationDay 8: Righteous by FaithDay 9: Adopted and ChosenDay 10: Accepted in the BelovedDay 11: Seated with ChristDay 12: God’s WorkmanshipDay 13: Nothing Can Separate YouDay 14: Christ in You, the Hope of GloryDay 15: The Mind of ChristDay 16: The Image of God RestoredDay 17: Grace That TeachesDay 18: The Measure of FaithDay 19: Faith Works by LoveDay 20: The Faith of the Son of GodDay 21: The Crucified LifeDay 22: Renew Your MindDay 23: Take Every Thought CaptiveDay 24: Think on These ThingsDay 25: Be Spiritually Minded
February
Day 26: Press Toward the GoalDay 27: Led by the SpiritDay 28: Walk in the SpiritDay 29: Spirit of Power, Love, and Sound MindDay 30: Empowered From On HighDay 31: Healing Is in the AtonementDay 32: Minister Healing to OthersDay 33: Pray in the SpiritDay 34: The Spirit Helps Our WeaknessDay 35: Be Filled ContinuouslyDay 36: Gifts of the SpiritDay 37: Spirit-Led MinistryDay 38: Fruit of the SpiritDay 39: The Spirit Bears WitnessDay 40: Walk Worthy of Your CallingDay 41: Love Is the GreatestDay 42: Unity of the SpiritDay 43: Forgive One AnotherDay 44: Serve in LoveDay 45: Bear One Another’s BurdensDay 46: Honor Others Above YourselfDay 47: Godly RelationshipsDay 48: Love in the HomeDay 49: Hospitality and GenerosityDay 50: Giving and GenerosityDay 51: Pray Without Ceasing Day 52: Seated with Christ in AuthorityDay 53: Reigning in Life Through Christ
March
Day 54: Put on the Armor — Stand in VictoryDay 55: Life Is a MissionDay 56: Ambassadors for ChristDay 57: Share Your StoryDay 58: Not Ashamed of the GospelDay 59: Make Disciples Who MultiplyDay 60: Redeem the TimeDay 61: Open Doors and Bold SpeechDay 62: Witness to, Honor, and Pray for IsraelDay 63: Suffer for the GospelDay 64: Strength in WeaknessDay 65: Don’t Lose HeartDay 66: Our Light and Momentary TroublesDay 67: Set Your Mind on EternityDay 68: Death, Grief, and Eternal Hope