Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?Here in America, we still have freedom of worship. Christians are free to go to the church of their choosing and except for San Diego – can have bible studies in their home, without persecution or any kind of harassment. The thought police of this country are not yet scrutinizing people’s individual ways of worshipping the Creator.
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39
Our Christian brothers and sisters in many other countries must hide their faith. Either their governments forbid the practice of Christianity or the local religions forbid any kind of conversion to Christianity. Many Christians in other countries are severely persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Some times it is illegal to own a Bible or to share their faith or even teach their own children about Jesus.
Here are some websites that track the current state of persecution of Christians in our world today, and where you can get more information to support these brothers and sisters in Christ:
Christian Persecution Info
The Voice of the Martyrs
2 Timothy 3:12 says that ALL that live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution and even in this country and especially in our own families we have been subjected to persecution in one form or another – and it definitely hurts when we have gone through it.
Thank God – persecution cannot separate us from the Love of God. When we are persecuted, we can count it all joy to be found worthy to suffer persecution for Christ’s sake.
Blessings in Christ
Linda
4 comments:
Oh so true. We will definitely suffer persecution in the name of Christ. God often reminds me that they really don't hate me but "Christ" in me.
I use to get the "Voice of the Martyrs" magazine some years ago before this wilderness experience. I can still remember A LOT of the stories I read and even the magazine covers.
Thanks for the reminder sis! I actually do need it at the moment.
God use to remind me how much worse off so many other Christians were when I would complain about 'minor' things.
I often think about my brothers and sisters who are really being persecuted in the name of the Lord and think, "What I am going through just does not compare".
We have so much freedom.
Oh Lord, forgive me for forgetting that at times. Forgive us Lord and strengthen us to continue to do your will no matter the persecution or the cost.
I know exactly what you mean. I remember when I first realized that I was going to be staying at my parents house for an extended period of time. I was actually whining to the Lord and He reminded me that there are people who have been tortured and in Chinese prisons for the gospel who would think that staying at my parents was a paradise. I feel really horrible at my ungrateful attitude. Thank you Lord for how easy I really do have it.
Thanks for the comment!
Linda
Yes, we do have it easy compared to others who are really struggling.
God knows I have complained many days in the past 5 years having to live here and there. SIGH! Oh Lord, it has not been easy.
I think I have moved about 13 times last I counted in 5 years. With all of this and the pain I endured, it still just does not compare to what someone is really struggling with.
I was thinking last night about "The Gift of Limitations". The truth is had God not put me through this, I would not know his power and strength in my weaknesses.
One day at at time!
That is why we can have "peace" in all things. See my blog from yesterday! Great minds focused on God think alike! ;)
Kim
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