Persecuted
Good news! On January 16, 2016 Pastor Saeed Abedini was finally released from an Iranian prison. Here are two links. Link 1 Link 2 While this is very good news, him as well as the others who were released, still needs prayers as they recover from physical and mental abuse.
The sad news is that there are so many more people who are or have been persecuted. And there will be more persecution, even here in North America. Even in the United States. There are also more people being lead astray. Why?
I read that there Christians who believes that Jesus was not Jewish. Why? Either people don’t read their Bible, or someone sucked their brains out. Jesus was born from a very long line of Jewish people. Every year Jesus and his family would go to Jerusalem for the Passover festival which is a very Jewish thing to do. When Jesus healed the man with leprosy, He told him to go to the priest and take along an offering as required by the law of Moses. Clearly Jesus is a Jew. Even Pilate acknowledged Him as King of the Jews. Why would a Christian who reads their Bible say that Jesus is not Jewish, is beyond understanding. Unless they don’t read.
Another time, many years ago someone told me they were a Christian. I was a little suspicious so I asked if he believes in Jesus. That He died on the cross and rose again physically three days later. He said “No, I don’t believe you have to believe in Jesus to be a Christian.”
How does that work? How can you be a Christ-ian and not follow Christ? When the time comes, these people will escape most if not all persecution that may be coming. Me, my wife, many of my friends and family as well as many of you, will be persecuted. Some of us may be murdered. If you believe and admit that Jesus is Lord, Son of God, and that He has risen physically from the dead, if you say Jesus is the only way to have eternal life; you’re in trouble.
Things are going to get worse. I believe, in the United States there will be more persecution towards Christians. More mocking, getting fired, more bigotry. Families will be divided and friendships broken. Our rights of free speech will be taken away while those who oppose us will keep theirs. For an example: it’s getting where if you speak bad about Jesus people will believe it’s OK. But if you say the same thing about Mohammad, then people will get upset and call you a hateful bigot. A few may try to kill you or at least punish you somehow.
In the past I have been lied about and mocked and other things, only because I’m a Christian.
As bad as things may get, please keep this in mind. Matthew 5:10-12
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
My Thoughts 