Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

November 14th

The bible reading is in Matthew 28 and Mark 16 today.

“And Jesus came and said to his disciples (before his ascension to heaven...) All power is given unto me both in heaven and on earth.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:18‬ ‭

ALL POWER....we will get to that shortly.

We have all wondered what it would be like to see the glorified Jesus...now...in our present...right here on earth. I believe that it would be exactly like sharing the Transfiguration moments with Jesus, Moses and Elijah and the three close friends of the Lord, Peter, James, and John. I believe that it would be exactly like being in Jerusalem those forty days when Jesus showed himself alive to his disciples those ten different times.

By the way, do you remember the meeting of the resurrected Jesus and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus? They talked and listened for miles, and the disciples didn't recognize Jesus until they broke bread together that evening.

Jesus was flesh and blood, wearing the same simple seamless robe that he wore for three years. He had crucifixion nail scars on his hands and feet. But there was something about the raised Jesus...something about his “God-glory” that was no longer masked by his humanity that threw them off.

His disciples saw him last bleeding and hanging on a cross. They watched him struggle against the pain of the torture. They watched him and heard him gurgle and groan for one more breath. And then they watched and heard him breathe his last breath. He was dead. He was gone. And the Romans stuck a spear in his side to puncture the heart to make sure. And the disciples watched that.

Now glorified in heaven, Jesus in his real manhood sits. I agree with Charles Spurgeon when he said, “Had we seen Jesus, back then, in his agony, we would be able to appreciate more his glory today.

May we learn to delight, friends, that Jesus is not here...He is not here, but He is risen from the dead.

He is not here for he has ascended to heaven.

He is not here, for he is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven...making intercession for us. Isn't that wonderful?

May we keep thinking on that friends until we are indeed overwhelmingly glad he is there and not here. Our souls must see and take our dawn of hope in Jesus of the cross...in Jesus of his death. But our souls would do well to take their full assurance of hope in his risen life!

And that brings us to his risen testimony...All power is given unto Me...all the power in heaven and all the power in earth.

And He gives us all that power as we give ourselves to making disciples. Awesome...Let’s see...

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

November 13th

The bible reading today is in Luke 23, and John 18 and 19.

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered.”

‭‭John‬ ‭18:1‬

On the eastern side of Italy, there is a beautiful little stream called the Rubicon...falling into the Adriatic Sea. This insignificant river acquired a name in history and the proverbs of men.

When Caesar led his army to the bank of the Rubicon he stopped and spoke to his officers, “We can yet turn back. But if we cross this stream, all must be decided by the sword...everything will be changed.”

The night was passed in anxious deliberation. Then at daybreak, as the legend goes, an angel took a trumpet to his lips and blew the signal for advance. Immediately, Caesar plunged into the river and his army followed.

The die was cast...the decision was made...to cross the Rubicon ...to victory...or death!”

Years before this, there lived a king named David. He crossed his own Rubicon...the stream just down the mountain from Jerusalem named, Kidron.

David was in a dark place of his life...2 Sam 15. His son, Absolom, was leading a rebellion against him and his kingdom. Knowing that the city and its inhabitants were in grave danger, David chose to leave the capital. He lead his people, with great distress, to cross over the brook of Kidron.

He knew that the present crisis would mark him forever...either the loss of his kingdom or the loss of a son forever.

After this crossing, David went to his grave a sorrow-stricken man. But his inner man was changed for the better...with a revived love for his kids and a more beautiful faith vision of God to pass on to Solomon.

And what happened to David happened to David’s son, Jesus a thousand years later?

The die was cast...the decision was made...the moment was life-changing...for so many...when Jesus crossed the Chedron valley and the stream that ran through it.

He had proven himself a great rabbi and a miraculous healer among his people for the last three years. But that evening, crossing to the other side of the brook kidron, Jesus became the Great Sacrifice for sinners...for you and me.

Did he think about it? His own death for sinners?

Did Jesus see riverlets of blood flowing in the stream? Where did it come from?

65,000 sacrificial lambs had been slain on the golden altars that week of Passover...and blood “ran red” down the mountain into the stream.

Did he think about it? His own impending death? I believe so.

“Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him...” most certainly was thinking about the cross and his own blood that would soon run red in that stream for those who believed him.

‭‭John‬ ‭18:4‬

O Lord, thank you for crossing the Kidron that Thursday evening...you would sweat droplets of blood as you prayed in the garden. You came for your own and your own received you not. That rejection had to hurt in and of itself...not to mention the denial of your friends to come.

Thank you for your promise to be with us as we face our own death valley. We believe that you will lead us across even as the Spirit led You.

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

November 12th

The Bible reading today is in Matthew 27 and Mark 15.

Jesus had been arrested by Temple guards on Thursday night of the Passover Festival. Jesus and his disciples had retreated to the Garden of Gethsemene right after they participated in The Last Supper.

When the guards asked who the leader was, Jesus said “I am!” ... God Almighty. And immediately the hundreds of Temple guards that had been dispatched to take him into custody fell down on their backsides.

The angels must have smirked from nearby. “So you came to take God the Son into custody, did you? And you have lived, on the ground, by the power of his words. Wake up fools. You do the bidding of the God who just prayed, “Not my will but Yours be done, Father.”

Jesus submitted to the puppet guards. He was led away to Caiphas’ High Priest’s quarters. There Jesus was tried by self-righteous priests who were out to save their own religious positions. And they would lie and murder Jesus in order to safeguard their high positions...and they were doing all of that in the name of God...talk about “taking the Lord’s name in vain...”

By sun-up on Friday, Jesus was standing in front of the merciless Roman Governor of Judea, Pilate. Pilate asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews. Jesus answered, “You have said so...” And Jesus answered him no more. As prophesied, Jesus was silently going to his death as a lamb to the slaughter.

Pilate gave the order to crucify Him...but before he did, Pilate said to the thousand bloodthirsty opposers of Jesus, “I find no fault in Him.”

So Jesus was flogged with a cat of nine tails by 2 Roman guards who were proficient at their job of tearing flesh and doling out suffering just short of death. Then the cross was laid on Jesus’ shoulders and he began his “walk of blood” through the people lined streets of Jerusalem. This was apart of his time of glory...to Golgatha’s hill...where he was nailed to that cross and hung between two thieves.

Many of the people of Jerusalem mocked the savior...threw things at him...spat upon him...and cursed him. Little did they know that he was going through this for them, for those who would believe him later with tears.

Six hours later, Jesus hollered out saying “Tetelastai”...it is finished. And he breathed his last.

“It was finished”. His glory was to pay for our sins and to purchase us a place in heaven. That payment and that purchase took place in his death on the cross. He paid with his life’s blood and purchased our home in heaven with his perfect sacrificial death for our sins.

Now, what happened?

“And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭15:42-43‬ ‭

“We can't just let them throw the Master’s body in a common grave of criminals. We have to do something, but what?

A man named Joseph, of the town of Arimathea, not far from Jerusalem, must have either heard the conversation or this peripheral disciple of Jesus had s thought. He had some influence on the Jerusalem city council. He would appeal to the powers that be for the body of his savior and bury him in the tomb hewn out of rock for his family.

And that’s exactly what happened.

Lesson to me?.... Jesus will always have his courageous witness for just the right time. He will always have a generous disciple who uses his stuff for kingdom purposes.

O Lord, make us Your brave witness and generous disciple that You can use at just the right time!

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

November 11th

The bible reading today is in John chapters 14-17.

“Let not your hearts be troubled.”

The hearts of Jesus’ friends were troubled. Jesus had just added some troublesome words to his message about his impending death.

“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭13:13, 16, 21‬

Jesus told them something to think about when he quoted an old adage...” the servant is not greater than his master”...meaning, “whatever is done to your master will come upon you as well”. ”If your master is rabbi and Lord and he is struck down, don't think you will not be next”...that had to be troubling to the young followers.

And then Jesus dropped another bomb. “One among you will betray me...”

That was also very troubling to the friends...” who is it, Lord? Tell us so we can keep that from happening.” “Is it me? Tell me, Lord, and I will be alert to that temptation and resist it.”

Jesus could tell that his friends were burdened, confused, and anxious. His own spirit was troubled. One of his own was about to betray him into the hands of evil, murderous men. Jesus himself pushed his own burden down and picked up his friends...”

“Let not your hearts be troubled”...And those words, which told his followers that he was “aware” of their heart’s worry and despair, were followed by the prescription “for” their troubled hearts...“Believe in God; believe also in me.”

This was “One more” bold and confident declaration by the rabbi that he was God in the flesh...that “He” was the Messiah.

“Trust me”, Jesus was saying to his downcast disciples. “Trust Me!” I’m everything you need.

“I know that your spirit is pressed...almost crushed. You need comforting and I send to you the Holy Spirit, “The Comforter” from heaven.

Trust Me...and give your sorrowful spirit into the divine hands of God the Spirit who will get you through the dark nights ahead and lift you up for the challenges to come for the sake of the kingdom...for the sake of the gospel.

“O troubled brother...O troubled sister...let not our hearts remain troubled without hope. Let us bow to Jesus our Savior too. And believe that He sees and knows our depression and our desperate need for consolation and renewed vision and faith...just like He knew and ministered grace to relieve the troubled friends...Peter and Andrew, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and James, Thomas, Simon the zealot, Judah son of James.

Let us believe Him and trust the Holy Spirit he has sent us...the Comforter and Strengthener...to be just who and what we need for the dark nights of our souls.

And Jesus continues to encourage his friends by talking about heaven. “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14:1-6‬

How will we get through this? One disciple asks another.

He taught us to trust Him no matter what...and why not? He is the way, the truth, and the life we want!

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

November 10th

The bible reading today is in Luke 22 and John 13.

“Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, “having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end”.”

‭‭John‬ ‭13:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus knew that the hour of his departure from this world had come. He knew that his death by crucifixion was near and that he was about to go back to the Father in heaven. He also knew that it was time for him to depart from his friends who believed him and left all to follow him.

And O how he “loved” them, with God’s “unconditional” love...committed to meeting the needs of his friends “ without expecting anything in return”.

Yes... "how he loved them, all the way to the end”.

Jesus “always loved” his disciples. There was never a single action or word toward them that was not in harmony with the Godly character of love.

Yes, Jesus corrected and reproved his friends for “their good” and for the Father’s glory. But it was all in love...always.

Jesus proved that love by his continuous companionship with his friends. “He stayed with them” until the days of his earthly ministry was over. And even when he left them he sent them the Holy Spirit to comfort them, guide them, and empower them for life and work.

Jesus stayed with them, even after Peter rebuked him upon hearing the Master speak of his coming death. Most rabbis would have sent Peter packing for his impertinence. But not Jesus! Jesus instructed Peter, but the Master stayed with him.

James and John had watched Jesus humbly give himself away for the sake of so many in need for over two years. Jesus would describe the kingdom of heaven in terms of humility and service...and. the greatest in the kingdom would be last, not first in recognition.

And then the brothers proved their total cluelessness of Christ’s life message by asking Him for positions of great recognition in his kingdom.

After three years of teaching and discipling, the Master could have sent the selfish “sons of thunder” home. But he didn't. He stayed with them. He loved them by staying with them...never leaving them, nor forsaking them...believing in them.

Yes, the fishermen of Galilee were his companions to the end...because he loved them...even when they thought, spoke, and behaved poorly as his disciples.

Also, Jesus proved his love by his patient teaching and his readiness to help his friends in jeopardy.

How did he teach them? Simply and Repeatedly...with Patience!

Jesus was wisdom and knowledge incarnate. But instead of trying to impress his young colleagues with divine verbiage, Jesus used common stories to get his message from their heads to their hearts.

Jesus’ instructions were given simply and repeatedly. And many a scholar would probably count Jesus’ going over and over the first principles of the gospel with such slow learners as being tedious, taxing and perhaps even boring...and not worth the effort.

But Jesus chose and loved these “slow learners” for a great mission. He loved them to the very end.

And where was Jesus when his friends were in trouble? Right, where they needed. That’s how Jesus loved. In the middle of a storm that even made seasoned fishermen afraid...Jesus was there to calm the wind and waves, not to mention young men’s fears.

And remember Peter’s wife’s mother? On her death bed there in Capernaum? With Peter’s wife broken and afraid?

Jesus was there to intercede and the dangerous fever left her body and she immediately rose from bed to serve her family and her deliverer.

O fellow followers of Jesus...just as he loved the first disciples...he loves us ...whom he has chosen...even us...slow learners...so needy...even to the end. Thanks, Lord

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

November 9th

The bible reading today is in Matthew 26 and Mark 14.

Jesus was in Bethany, just outside of Jerusalem. He and his disciples were staying with friends there during the Passover festival.

Let’s just listen to the following piece of today’s reading.

“And while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head.

There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.”

And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her?

She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.

She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭14:3-9‬

What do we see in our mind’s eye? I see an honorable woman disrespected by her fellow followers of Jesus.

What did she do that raised the judgmental indignation of the 12 apostles? She sought to bless her Savior in the best way that she could.

Jesus got it and honored her for it. And He rebuked his friends for “troubling her” with their prideful, selfish misunderstanding of her heart.

I see a woman whose heart was so grateful for the great love of Christ for her that she didn't hesitate to give the most valuable treasure she had to him for his pleasure.

I see a follower of Christ that was far more focused upon Jesus than she was on how people would judge her actions toward Jesus.

I also wonder how the loving John misjudged the loving woman. He would rest his head on the Master’s chest during their last supper. Where was his tenderness toward this worshipper?

I also wonder how the impetuous Peter forgot what real faith looked like. His faith, at one time, looked like walking on water toward Jesus in the middle of the storm...no matter what the other fellows thought. Where was his admiration for the woman who lived out loud for her Lord?

I also wonder how the thoughtful Thomas didn't understand the woman’s pure motive for her lavish actions toward Jesus. Remember, before Thomas was a doubter, he was the first disciple to truly appreciate that Jesus was “My Lord and My God...”

And now Judas. I know why the rest of the disciples missed the “Jesus heart” of the generous, selfless worshipping woman in Bethany. Judas didn't have a “Jesus heart”...just a cold, lost, calculating, pretentious, self-centered heart who fooled everyone but Jesus.

Sadly, the rest of the first disciples counted Judas to be trusted, rather than the woman. Thus they probably sat quietly and supportive of the one who would soon betray Jesus instead of worship Him.

This is the day for zealous generous and even undignified worship of the Savior Jesus.

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

November 8th

The bible reading is in Matthew 25.

This chapter is a continuation of Christ’s teaching to his disciples from the Mt of Olives after his final visit to the Temple.

Jesus had already told his friends that he would be killed soon, be buried, and on the third day, he would rise to live again. Jesus had already told them that he would ascend to heaven one day and that he would send them the Holy Spirit to empower them for kingdom life and work.

Jesus was now teaching them, in this Olivet discourse, about His second coming...how to wait for it and what to do in the meantime. Jesus used parables to teach those lessons.

“The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:1‬

The bridegroom is coming for the bride. The Old Testament spoke of God as the groom and Israel as the bride. When Jesus called himself the groom he was once again identifying himself as God...the Messiah. Pretty bold.

The disciples knew the story. Weddings were a big deal in their culture. There had been a year since the couple pledged their love for a lifetime to each other. The Groom had been building a house for his bride. When that was finished, he would come for his bride and escort her to the wedding feast and to their new home together.

As custom, the bride would choose bridesmaids to go with her to the wedding. They would have their oil lamps prepared for the procession, just in case, the groom came at night for his beloved.

In Jesus’ story, there were 10 girls. Their main responsibility was to make sure that they had oil for their lamp. Sadly, 5 of the 10 had no oil when the bridegroom came. 5 were not ready for the coming of the groom. Because they didn't have the oil, they were denied entry to the wedding feast.

This was sad in a lot of ways. All ten girls expected to go to the wedding. Only 5 got to go in. So....How were they to wait for the groom? Make sure they had the oil.

The oil represented the Holy Spirit. And without the dwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in a life. That life is not prepared to meet the Lord at his coming. That reminds me of the apostle Paul’s message...

“You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if in fact, the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:9‬

How are we to wait for Jesus’ second coming? Examine the lamp of our heart and life. Are we in love with Jesus? Or are we just in love with ourselves?

If that’s the case, then we have not the Spirit of Christ and do not belong to Him and His wedding with the bride to come.

And what were the disciples to do in the meantime? While they waited eagerly for Christ’s return?

Use the talents that were given to them by God to serve the purposes of God each day.

“For the kingdom will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:14-15‬ ‭

God gave the talents. Anything that we can do is a gift from God. We thank him for those abilities and we give Him the credit for what we might accomplish using those talents.

God gave some people more talents than he gave others. True. God is sovereign and He does His will however he chooses for his glory. But according to the story, the ones that used their talents for the Master’s glory received the same “Well done thou good and faithful servant...”

Lord we are waiting...the Holy Spirit within us prompts us to remember who gave us our talents and to use them as you wish. Praise your name!

Have a great day

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

November 7th

The bible reading today is in Matthew chapter 24.

“As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus told them, “you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake."

And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place ( let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:3, 6, 8-9, 12, 14-16‬ ‭

The disciples of Christ, in the days following the birth of the church at Pentecost, heard the rumors of war with Rome. Rome’s armies would come over the next 40 years putting down small and medium-sized revolts by Judeans and Galileans.

Then Rome would send a major force to quell the Jewish rebels for good. Over a million people would die savagely in Jerusalem during that siege. The city was doomed per Christ’s prophesy. And the city died in just a few months.

The Savior gave the city clear and sufficient warning. But the warning went unheeded by the Jews. Only the followers of Jesus acted on Christ’s instructions and were delivered. As soon as Christ’s disciples saw the “abomination of desolation”, spoken of by Daniel, standing in the holy place in the Temple, they fled to the mountains of Pella in the region of Perea.

Now, the Romans were often lenient and somewhat respectful of Jewish laws and customs. Even during the time of Christ, with Roman occupation of Judea. One would not see the Eagle and other Roman idolatrous symbols anywhere near the Temple in respect of Israel’s God.

But Jesus said that one day Jerusalem would be destroyed and all within the city would die. And you and I would simply believe God’s word on the matter, even without outside confirmation. But God put it in the mind of the famous historian Josephus to write down what happened in and to Jerusalem during that Roman siege of the city of David.

CH Spurgeon said, “Josephus’ record curdles the blood of everyone who reads it. It exactly bears out the statement of the Master that there was to be great tribulation, such as was not seen since the beginning of the world...nor ever shall be.

Spurgeon considered Josephus’ historical account of the AD 70 destruction of Jerusalem and all within it horrifying, brutal, and especially cruel.

It’s not hard for me to think that the first disciples listening to Christ’s Olivet Discourse in our reading today probably connected the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple with the Coming Again of Jesus.

They asked the Lord Jesus what would be the signs of his coming again. And he answered...“For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:27‬ ‭

In whatever way he came, whether in the final destruction of the Temple whenever that would be, or at the end of the world’s final drama (the judgment of God upon the nations)...those first disciples would get Jesus’ use of lightning flashing. His coming would be sudden and it would be un-looked-for by the masses.

Whatever...Come, Lord Jesus!

Have a great day.

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

November 6th

The bible reading today is in Mark 13.

“And Jesus began to say to his disciples, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭13:5-7‬

Jesus had already explained to his disciples what awaited him in Jerusalem that particular week. But did they really get it?

Apparently, his disciples accepted the bits and pieces of that message that they could reconcile with their preconceived ideas about Messiahship.

But we know from our former readings of the gospel accounts that his arrest and trial and sentence of death and the carrying out of that gruesome sentence was “crushing” upon the disciples. No, they didn't really get it...not yet.

Now Jesus is teaching his disciples from the Mt of Olives about what is going to happen on the earth after his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to heaven...before He comes again.

“Let no one lead you astray...” He said.

There’s going to be false messiahs show up claiming to be me. But they won't be.

There will be wars and famines and earthquakes engage the world. And there certainly has been even up to our generation.

Don't be fooled, the end is not yet. These will happen to be sure, but they are not signs of the end of all things.

G Campbell Morgan wrote comments on our present reading...saying...“Our Lord’s outlook upon this age did not reveal that the preaching of the gospel would eventually bring about good relations among all nations. The only thing that will do that is a new heaven and new earth that our Lord will create as His kingdom finally comes.” I agree.

“And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end is the saved one.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭13:12-13‬ ‭

It is easy for us in North America to underestimate how difficult persecution can be. If I came from an orthodox Jewish family, they might consider me a blasphemer and think of me as dead to them. If I came from a strict Muslim family, I might be rejected by my family and be literally killed for following Jesus. If I came from a Hindu family in India, I could be rejected and legally martyred for choosing Jesus. In China I would be allowed to practice my Christian faith, just as long ss I did it in a state-sponsored church. If I tried to start a church, it would be destroyed and I could be imprisoned. In Sudan, I might be killed or made a slave to a Muslim army. In Pakistan, I might be jailed indefinitely or be beheaded by jihadists in power.

According to David Barrett’s book, “Today’s Martyrs”, over 165,000 Christians died for their faith around the world in the year 2000. Researchers today estimate 43 million Christians have died for their faith since Pentecost 2000 years ago.

And how do the saved deal with abusive harassment and cruel torture and death for their confession of faith in Jesus? They endure. They don't look for a way to escape. They stay under, they persevere in faith until Jesus rescues them in life or in death.

O for living and dying grace for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ my Lord.

Have a great day.