Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

November 8
Sunday


THE PERSECUTED
CHURCH

READ:
1 Peter 4:12-19
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If anyone suffers as a
Christian, let him not
be ashamed, but let
him glorify God in this
matter. __1 Peter 4:16
_________________________________________________________

One October morning in 2006, a woman and her six children wee forced to witness an attack on their husband and father. His assailants tried to force him to deny Jesus but he refused. He continued to proclaim Christ as Lord and died praying for his family. The family is determined to follow Christ, even in their grief.

Another man was sentenced to 3 years in prison for allegedly insulting another religion. He's an outspoken Christian with a passion for Christ. He and his wife and children continue to be faithful and refuse to deny Him.

Persecution for the christian faith is as real in our world as it was for the Jewish believers in the early church to whom Peter wrote. He prayed, "May the God of all grace,...after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you" (1 Peter 5:10).

Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. These prayer points from Open Doors USA, a ministry that's committed to encouraging persecuted Christians, can help guide us as we pray:

. Pray for the safety and faith of the secret believers in
countries where it is illegal to share about Christ.

. Pray for the health, perseverance, and encourag-
ment of believers who are imprisoned for the gospel.

. Pray that those whose loved ones have died due to
martyrdom will rely on God for their strength.

Together, let's bring our fellow believers before the Lord
in prayer. __Anne cetas
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The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church

****************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Peer 4:12-19**********

12 Beloved, do not think it
strange concerning the fiery
trial which is to try you, as
though some strange thing
happened to you; 13 but
rejoice to the extent that
you partake of Christ's
sufferings, that when His
glory is revealed, you may
also be glad with exceeding
joy. 14 If you are reproached
for the name of Christ,
blessed are you, for the
Spirit of glory and of God
rests upon you. On their
part He is blasphemed, but
on your part He is glorified.

15 But let none of you suffer
as a murderer, a thief, and
evildoer, or as a busybody
in other people's matters.

16 Yet if anyone suffers as a
Christian, let him not be
ashamed, but let him glorify
God in this matter.

17 For the time has come
for judgment to begin at the
house of God; and if it
begins with us first, what
will be the end of those
who do not obey the gospel
of God? 18 Now "If the
righteous one is scarcely
saved, where will the
ungodly and the sinner
appear?"

19 Therefore let those who
suffer according to the will
of God commit their souls
to Him in doing good, as to
a faithful Creator.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The words Peter uses to describe suffering Christians are surprising:
"Glad with exceeding joy" (v.13) and "blessed" (v.14). He also says
that we are not to "be ashamed" (v.16), but instead to glorify God in
the suffering experience. Those terms feel foreign, but they remind
us that God can use anything we entrust to Him--even our times of
sufFering-to bring glory to Himself. __BILL CROWDER

[Lani]

*Amen2*

Standing in prayer, always.

Thank you Cimi, for your dedication to sharing His word.

Peace and Luv in Christ,

Lani