Tag: persecution

Sunday 12/24 ~ Consider the Ravens

On By In blessings, good works, sacrificeLeave a comment

The scripture for today, December 24 (12/24), is Luke 12:24 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-BK 4-FolkHero-Cover-Kindle-medium-new“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!”

In many nations right now, things are financially strained. Luxuries? No. To be able to live until tomorrow? Yes.

Which is more valuable? To impress men or impress God? A life dedicated to things impresses men. A life dedicated to doing good things impresses God.

I knew of a group of believers recently fleeing soldiers who were after Christians. They had to run immediately upon sight of the soldiers. No time to pack anything. Just run.  Escape. Run. Escape.  

To get to true safety, they had to walk a hundred miles. What did they eat?  Grass. Leaves from bushes. But they made it. They made it to safety and the loving, protective arms of other Christians.

Today, instead of a luxury, can you send the money to people in parts of the world who are struggling to stay alive? Struggling to stay safe because they are Christians?

Consider the ravens.

P.S.

Those of you with children, and you cannot get them much for Christmas: Write IOU’s to them and put each one in a box. Wrap each with typing paper if you don’t have Christmas paper. And with a red or green crayon, draw a ribbon on top. What’s on the IOU’s? “One hour of coloring with you.” “One hour of playing ball with you.” “Three hours of hiking with you.” “Two hours of baking cookies with you.” Give yourself for Christmas!

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Scripture for Thursday, August 17 (8/17)

On By Northern Lights Publishing HouseIn blessings, good works, Inspirational, persecution, Thanksgiving1 Comment

The scripture for today, August 17 (8/17), is Romans 8:17 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

00-PAUL COVER-Medium-“Now if we are children, then we are heirs ~ heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (see also Galatians 3:16)

I Peter 4:12-14 says we should not be surprised when persecution happens, “as though something strange was happening to you.” If we are insulted because of Jesus, we are blessed.

Notice, we are co-heirs with Christ IF we share in his suffering. Have you shared in Jesus’ sufferings lately? Have you ever in your entire life shared in Jesus’ sufferings? If not, you haven’t told very many people about Jesus loving them or stood up for Jesus when people around you were making fun of him or using his name as a swear word.

Are you sinning by omission? Do you huddle with your church friends all the time and brag that all the friends you have are Christians? Jesus didn’t. Jesus went out to “seek and save the lost.” Are you seeking?

Sometime today, say something to someone about Jesus ~ someone in a store, at work, a neighbor, a fellow passenger on a bus. They probably won’t insult you. This may be exactly what they’ve been looking for. But if they do insult you, accept it graciously. Then go on your way feeling honored to be a “co-heir with Christ” by “sharing in his suffering.”

Try it. I dare you!

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#persecution, #suffering, #crucifixion, #insults, #dare,#brave, #courage, #SinOfOmission, #sharing, #CoHeir, #ChildOfGod

Scripture for Friday, August 4 (8/4)

On By Northern Lights Publishing HouseIn blessings, Daily, faith, healing, Inspirational, persecution, power, Saved from hell, Thanksgiving4 Comments

The scripture for today, August 4 (8/4), is Acts 8:4 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

00-PAUL COVER-Medium-“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”

Sometimes our plans get scattered, our dreams shattered. We lose our home, our job, our chance at an education, our savings, our family.

Satan loves to discourage us. He’s good at it. But Romans 8:28 says that God can make something good come out of all things ~ good or bad.

What about you? What if, for instance, you lose your home or job or worse? Will it make you bitter?

 It apparently did not make the early Christians bitter. How could that be? They had been forced out of jobs, out of homes, out of their country. Some Christian friends had been killed before they could escape.

There was something about them.  Something different. They counted it joy to be considered worthy of suffering for Christ. (James 1:2) They did not slink around or hide so it wouldn’t happen again. They rose up out of the ashes. They rose up and declared they had an eternal home no one could snatch from them.

How about you? If you lost everything, would you keep your joy or turn bitter?  What if that loss was because of Jesus? Would you turn right around and declare him again anyway? Really and truly, would you?

What stuff is your Christianity made of? Getting up in front of a congregation and expounding or performing, or being on committees? Or is it teaching one on one how to be saved? Where are your priorities? What part of Christianity brings the kind of joy that keeps on going, even in the ashes?

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#joy, #bitterness, #loss, #salary, #education, #house, #fire, #flood, #war, #persecution, #RunAway, #troubles, #problems, #priorities, #Christianity, #SoulSaving

Scripture for Wednesday, July 5 (7/5)

On By Northern Lights Publishing HouseIn blessings, Daily, good works, healing, Inspirational, persecution, ThanksgivingLeave a comment

The scripture for today, July 5 (7/5), is 2nd Corinthians 7:5ff as found in the New Testament of the Bible.

00-PAUL COVER-Medium-“For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn ~ conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.”

Oh, how much we need each other.

Sometimes in life, we go into our own Macedonia where we have no rest and are full of fear. Our Macedonia may be religious or political or medical; or it may be at work, out on the street, or at home.

At such times, we need a Titus to help us, to encourage us. Our Titus may be a relative, a neighbor, a friend, or even a stranger.

Have you been a Titus to anyone lately? Look around. Be a Titus to someone today. You are so very needed.

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#comforter, #encourager, #helper, #tired, #exhausted, #persecution, #fear, #discomfort, #downcast, #sorrow, #rest

Scripture for Tuesday, June 27 (6/27)

On By Northern Lights Publishing HouseIn Daily, faith, Inspirational, persecution, power, truthLeave a comment

The scripture for today, June 27 (6/27), is Daniel 6:27 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-Bk3-HeartsAfire-COVER-Kindle.medium-new“He [God] rescues and he saves, he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

This was proclaimed by none other than Darius, Emperor of Persia and Babylon. He normally worshiped idols. What made him respect God? It was Daniel’s example of being true to God no matter what.

Everyone has problems. You can consider them opportunities. People of the world do not see any benefits to Christianity in their everyday life. You can show them the advantage by how you face your own difficulties. They will notice.

A friend of mine was a logger (lumberjack). This big guy got up at 4 AM every day and didn’t get home from work and finish eating dinner until about an hour before bedtime. So, he began reading his Bible out in the forests during his lunch break. The other men made fun of him.

They had to ride a small bus together to get deep into the forest, and the guys would harass him on the bus. One day they harassed and teased him so bad because of his Christianity (he wouldn’t cuss and swear with or at them) and Bible reading, that he asked the bus driver to stop. He got out and walked ten miles toward his home.

Some time later, one of the men who had teased and harassed my friend went to him in private with a problem. He said, “I teased and harassed you with everyone else, but deep down I admired you.” Then he went on to explain his problem to my friend “because you are the only one I know to turn to.”

So today, if you are facing a problem, face it together with God. Face it with courage. Face it with the belief that it is for a reason and that reason may be so you can be an example of godly strength to others. Give it a try.

You can do it!

 

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#Christianity, #example, #troubles, #problems, #tragedy, #threats, #courage, #bravery, #confidence, #persecution, #harrassment, #teasing, #admire, #strength, #weakness

Scripture for Sunday, June 25 (6/25)

On By Northern Lights Publishing HouseIn blessings, faith, governments, Inspirational, persecution, prayer, Satan, ThanksgivingLeave a comment
The scripture for today. June 25 (6/25), is Matthew 6:25 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:
 
00-Heroes-Alone-COVER-KINDLE“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”
 
Do you sometimes wonder how God can allow people to starve with such a promise as this?  Try to remember the Big Picture.
 
Remember the Jews being in slavery in Egypt for 400 years? They must have prayed thousands of times to be freed, but most died still in slavery, believing their prayers never had been answered.
 
God had a greater plan for them ~ a plan to give them time to multiply from the original 70 people who went to Egypt to the over 3 million who left Egypt.
 
So, too, God has a Master Plan for each person and each nation. It is our assignment to hang on and keep believing in Him and that which we do not understand. We may not understand, but God always does.
 
So, hang on and watch God turn that ugly cocoon into a butterfly.
 
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#persecution, #problems, #troubles, #providence, #slavery, #governments, #nations

Scripture for Friday, June 23 (6/23)

On By Northern Lights Publishing HouseIn Daily, death, faith, forgiveness, governments, Inspirational, judging, persecution, SatanLeave a comment

The scripture for today, June 23 (6/23), is 2nd Chronicles 6:23 as found in the Old Testament of the Bible:

0-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-Medium“Then hear from heaven and act. Judge between your servants, repaying the guilty by bringing down on his own head what he has done. Declare the innocent not guilty and so establish his innocence.”

Did you notice here that God brings down on our head what we do to others? It includes how we treat him too. If we don’t have time for God, God doesn’t have time for us. If we put God last, he puts us last. If we refuse to forgive others, he refuses to forgive us. This is the boomerang effect. Here are several scriptures that reflect God doing to people what they do.

“The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The Lord is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.” (Psalm 9:15-16)

“In his arrogance, the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.” (Psalm 10:2).

“The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts.” (Psalm 37:14-15)

“Let the heads of those who surround me be covered with the trouble their lips have caused.” (Psalm 140:9)

“He mocks proud mockers.” (Proverbs 3:34)

“Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?” (Proverbs 6:27)

“If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him.” (Proverbs 26:27)

“Woe to you, O destroyer, you have not been destroyed! Woe to you, O traitor, you have not been betrayed. When you stop destroying, you will be destroyed; when you stop betraying, you will be betrayed.” (Isaiah 33:1)

“According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes.” (Isaiah 59:18)

“I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices.” (Ezekiel 7:8)

“As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.” (Obadiah 1:15)

In the meantime, we’re to leave punishment to God. And, if you are falsely accused of anything, God will declare you innocent. His is the important judgment.

 

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#persecution, #vengeance, #ricochet, #boomerang, #injustice, #justice, #reward, #punishment

 

 

Scripture for Thursday, May 18 (5/18)

On By Northern Lights Publishing HouseIn blessings, Daily, death, Death of Jesus Christ, faith, forgiveness, governments, Inspirational, persecution, power, Satan, Saved from hell, ThanksgivingLeave a comment

The scripture for today, May 18, is 1st Thessalonians 5:18 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-BK 7-ShadowOfDeath-Cover-new-Medium“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

This is one of the most difficult verses in the Bible to follow. How can we rejoice with the loss of a loved one, of health, of a job, of a home, of a position, of our reputation? The Christians at Thessalonica, in Greece, had been suffering a lot of persecution for being Christians.

Satan will do all he can to cause bad to happen in your life in order to get you to blame God and forsake him. But the real blame belongs on Satan. It may sometimes seem like the harder you try to follow God, the worse things get in our life. In that case, apparently Satan is afraid of your strength in the Lord, so is trying to weaken you and get you back on his side.

And sometimes God stands back and tells Satan, “Do your best. This person will grow stronger, not weaker.” Along with the Christians in Thessalonica, you can “become a model….your faith in God can become known everywhere” (1st Thessalonians 1:7-8).

So rejoice that Satan is so afraid of you. And at the same time, keep your eyes on Jesus who never gave in when Satan caused bad to happen to him.

Rejoice that you are counted worthy.

 

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#thanks, #blessing, #persecution, #troubles, #problems, #weakness, #strength, #Satan, #SavedFromHell, #fear, #boldness, #GoodAndEvil, #battle, #temptation

Scripture for Tuesday, May 16 (5/16)

On By Northern Lights Publishing HouseIn blessings, Daily, faith, healing, Inspirational, persecution, ThanksgivingLeave a comment

The scripture for today, May 16 (5/16), is 1st Thessalonians 5:16 (KJV) as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-Mefiboset-KINDLE Medium“Rejoice evermore.”

But how can we rejoice when something terrible has happened? The Apostle Paul who wrote this knew that the Thessalonians were being persecuted (2nd Thessalonians 1:4), but he still said, “Rejoice evermore.” Sometimes we have to suffer so that the bad someone does can be revealed to others.

Just remember that, just as God was grieved when his Son suffered on the cross, he is grieved when we suffer. And just as God was able to bring something wonderful out of his Son’s suffering, he can bring something wonderful out of yours too.

In the mean time, chin up, shoulders back, stand straight, be brave, and smile. The world will ask you why.

 

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#joy, #happiness, #rejoice, #handicaps, #tragedies, #suffering, #persecution, #grief, #providence, #outcome, #courage, #smile, #thanksgiving, #blessings, #curse

 

 

Scripture for Friday, April 28 (4/28)

On By Northern Lights Publishing HouseIn church, death, faith, governments, Holy Spirit, Inspirational, persecution, power, Satan, truthLeave a comment

The scripture for today, April 28, is Mark 4:28 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:

0-Stephen-Cover-Kindle-Medium“All by itself, the soil produces grain ~ first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.”

Jesus was explaining that the kingdom of heaven is like a seed planted in the ground. It grows almost miraculously.

The church is, indeed, like this. Planted some 2000 years ago, it has survived through every adversity and attack contrived by man. Sometimes the attacks were even from within. But at such times, just when it looked as though it was going to die, just like a seed dying in the earth, it would begin to sprout and grow up stronger than ever.

A little seed turning into a stalk is miraculous and amazing. The survival of the church for some 2000 years is even more miraculous and amazing.

God is still on his throne, and all is well.

 

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#kingdom, #church, #survival, #adversity, #persecution, #overcomes, #weakness, #rises, #resurrection, #Satan, #JesusChrist, #truth, #power