Persecution: June 16, 2009

TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JUNE 16, 2009

PERSECUTION

Defined by Webster:

The act of persecuting; subject to harassing or cruel treatment as a result of religion, race, or beliefs; to annoy or trouble persistently; oppress.

GODS WORD

“Bless those that persecute you.” Romans 12:14.

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely.” Matthew 5:11.

WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE

When we think of persecution we think of one being killed or martyred for the cause of Christ. But there are other issues that some may consider persecution. Some may think that persecution is living in an unstable home situation, being talked to critically by a peer or friend or being hurt by somebody physically or mentally.

Teenagers today feel they are being “persecuted” by peers at their school who do not let them into their “group.” Being accepted today is vital to children, youth and even adults. When one is not accepted they feel persecuted.

Many times non acceptance comes from ones strong stand for Christian standards and beliefs. Jesus taught that we should consider ourselves blessed when we are persecuted if it is because of our faith. If this is so, we are not alone. Jesus certainly was persecuted and so were His disciples, other prophets and many that we read about in the Old and New Testament. If we are persecuted for our faith it means that we are doing what is right in God’s sight and that we are being faithful to our belief in the Lord.

Recently we read that over 70 million Christians have been martyred in the last 20 centuries because of their Christian faith. But the more startling fact is that more than 50% of these 70 million have been martyred in the last 60 years. That is why this TODAYS WORD DEVOTIONAL is so significant for each of us to read and evaluate as it relates to our life and gives us strength from God’s Word.

Here in America many feel that we are losing our spiritual emphasis. One of the reasons we feel this way is that Christians are silent about their faith. Even though we may risk some persecution from others we need to speak up and be heard. When persecution comes are way, just remember the persecution that Jesus went through for our salvation.

TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER

Thank you Lord for what you did for me by dying on the cross. Help me to represent you today with a new fervor and drive so that others will have no doubt on what I believe. Help me to challenge my family and Christian friends to join me in standing tall for you.