Dear Friends,
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
The family entered the restaurant and found a quiet table in the corner. They were greeted by a server who took their order then retreated to the kitchen. The family members spoke quietly as they waited for their meal to appear. When it arrived they bowed their heads as the father offered grace. Suddenly, soldiers appeared and their lives were forever changed.
This morning as Bonnie and I offered grace at breakfast, it occurred to me that we are truly blessed to be free to pray. In many parts of the world being a Christian can be a capital offense, and offering a simple prayer is often an open invitation to persecution.
According to an article published by sharondalecc.org “It is estimated that more Christians were martyred in the 20th Century than in the previous 1900 years. More than 200 million Christians in over 60 nations face persecution each day, and it is estimated that over half of these are children.”
One of the sad consequences of the war in Syria: thousands of Christians from the region have been martyred or enslaved, yet Christian refuges have been largely excluded from relief efforts. One news agency reported that through June of 2016, only 23 of 6.726 Syrians admitted to the U.S. professed to be Christian.
Jesus said, “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33 (NLT)
As I studied the statistics on the persecution of Christians, I couldn’t help but wonder if I will have the courage to stand for Jesus if and when I am subjected to real persecution. Will I, for instance, stop praying before meals in a restaurant just because I fear being discovered? Will I take off the cross I wear if wearing a cross is outlawed? I don’t know. But when I recall the times I have stood silent rather than take a stance for Christ, because I didn’t want to offend someone, I can’t be sure what I would do if more than my self-image was a stake.
We have been blessed to live in a country where freedom of religion is a fundamental right. But times could be changing. A number of recent court decisions have chipped away at that fundamental right and the cost for standing for your beliefs may be rising.
Rather than wait timidly for a time of testing, I plan to go forth now boldly proclaiming that Jesus is Lord. If I can’t stand up for my Savior when the cost is so low, how will I ever stand for Him when the stakes are higher?
I won’t be a Sunday Christian whose week is filled with strife.
I’ll do my best to pass the test and show Christ in my life.
I’ll wear a smile instead of a frown; I’ll spread encouragement all around;
I’ll strive to share the joy I’ve found, and be a Christian all week long.
I plan to be a mender, a Band-Aid® for men’s souls,
Not a great pretender whose story’s full of holes.
I plan to be a servant whose service shows God’s heart,
A seed of hope for those I meet who don’t know where to start
I want to be like Jesus; that “me” is years away.
Step by step I’ll get there; Christ said He’ll show the way.
I’ll wear a smile instead of a frown; I’ll spread encouragement all around;
I’ll choose to share the joy I’ve found; I’ll be a Christian all week long.
Verses for the Week: “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 