Every Sunday night, we attend a cultural worship service. Every week, a different region of the world is represented. Last week we worshipped in the form that African’s saved from African Traditional Religions, Islam, and Animism worship their Lord and Savior. Tonight was very different and very sobering. We worshipped like the believers in the Pacific Rim Region (ie Indonesia and Japan). Part of tonight’s service touched on the persecution that these believers are enduring because of their unwavering faith in the Lord. Most of them were once followers of Islam, but found the truth in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This is persecution that most of us could not imagine, and some of us would be unwilling to endure for our Lord even though He suffered at the highest point for our sins because of His deep, abounding, unconditional love for us. Fortunately, some of us will never be asked to endure this, but may we encourage you to be on your knees asking the Lord to strengthen and comfort those who must endure this. And may we examine our own hearts and make sure we are willing to suffer, even to the point of death, to glorify our Lord.
- An Estimated 52 million killed for their faith in Jesus Christ throughout history.
- But half of those, 26 million, were killed in the last one hundred years.
“For it is given you, on behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him but also to suffer for His sake.”
Philippians 1:29
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing.”
James 1:2-3
“…Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Revelation 2:10
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