Today was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Today's devotion is a reflection on the day by Bryan. Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ:2 Corinthians 1:3-11, Romans 15:30-32
Hebrews 13:3 (NIV) Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
2 Corinthians 1:10-11 On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.
When was the last time you were persecuted for your faith? A recent release by a prominent Christian author claims that American Christians undergo daily persecution for their faith in the form of media bias, restrictions on religious coercion in public schools, and, yes, even in the form of municipal zoning. According to the World Evangelical Alliance's Religious Liberty Commission, 200 million Christians today live with serious persecution-threatened with prison, violence, and other actions-for their faith. Another 400 million face non-trivial restrictions on their freedom and the loss of many basic human rights, simply because they choose to love and follow Jesus Christ. (ChristianityToday.com)
What is persecution? Most Western Christians have never experienced what Paul meant by the term. Have you ever been tortured and unjustly imprisoned (Acts 16:23)? How about stoned, sawed in two, or cast out to wander in the wilderness (Hebrews 11:37)? As Western Christians, we live incredibly comfortable lives in contrast to the examples provided by disciples of the living Christ over the last few thousand years. And yet, there are millions of believers worldwide who do daily encounter situations where they must pay an incredible cost for their faith.
Now, this does not necessarily mean that you should pack up your bags and move to a place where you will be beaten for praying in the Lord's name. But, as brethren in Christ, we are called to lift up the persecuted members of the Body in prayer. As you encounter resistance in your walk with Christ, remember those believers in other parts of the world who face incredibly stronger oppression. I encourage you to find a prayer list of situations and nations where persecution is occurring, and pray for those believers.
PersecutedChurch.org Faith Lesson: Lift up your persecuted brothers and sisters in prayer.
In Christ,
Bryan Peters
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, then learn to how make Jesus your Savior and Lord.
Check out the Daily Message Devotional's new and full-featured website at http://www.dailymessage.org To subscribe to the Daily Message Devotional mailing list, please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
READ:2 Corinthians 1:3-11, Romans 15:30-32
Hebrews 13:3 (NIV) Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
2 Corinthians 1:10-11 On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.
When was the last time you were persecuted for your faith? A recent release by a prominent Christian author claims that American Christians undergo daily persecution for their faith in the form of media bias, restrictions on religious coercion in public schools, and, yes, even in the form of municipal zoning. According to the World Evangelical Alliance's Religious Liberty Commission, 200 million Christians today live with serious persecution-threatened with prison, violence, and other actions-for their faith. Another 400 million face non-trivial restrictions on their freedom and the loss of many basic human rights, simply because they choose to love and follow Jesus Christ. (ChristianityToday.com)
What is persecution? Most Western Christians have never experienced what Paul meant by the term. Have you ever been tortured and unjustly imprisoned (Acts 16:23)? How about stoned, sawed in two, or cast out to wander in the wilderness (Hebrews 11:37)? As Western Christians, we live incredibly comfortable lives in contrast to the examples provided by disciples of the living Christ over the last few thousand years. And yet, there are millions of believers worldwide who do daily encounter situations where they must pay an incredible cost for their faith.
Now, this does not necessarily mean that you should pack up your bags and move to a place where you will be beaten for praying in the Lord's name. But, as brethren in Christ, we are called to lift up the persecuted members of the Body in prayer. As you encounter resistance in your walk with Christ, remember those believers in other parts of the world who face incredibly stronger oppression. I encourage you to find a prayer list of situations and nations where persecution is occurring, and pray for those believers.
PersecutedChurch.org Faith Lesson: Lift up your persecuted brothers and sisters in prayer.
In Christ,
Bryan Peters
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, then learn to how make Jesus your Savior and Lord.
Check out the Daily Message Devotional's new and full-featured website at http://www.dailymessage.org To subscribe to the Daily Message Devotional mailing list, please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
