Remember those who are in prison, as being in chains
with them, and are suffering adversity for their faith...
Hebrews 13:3
We in the churches throughout North America probably know about it…
with them, and are suffering adversity for their faith...
Hebrews 13:3
We in the churches throughout North America probably know about it…
...but we've never experienced it, at least not at the levels believers in other countries have. I'm speaking about persecution and being openly attacked for our faith to the point where we are arrested, beaten, starved, and locked up for following the Lord Jesus.
Although most of us probably give little thought to it, there are many nations where those who faithfully serve the Lord must do so at great risk. In places such as China, North Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and in other parts of Asia, Christians face imprisonment for openly proclaiming their faith.
The same is true in some parts of Africa where believers are harassed, arrested, beaten, and even killed. It's also happening in the Middle East. Christians who would gather together for worship and Bible study do so at great cost. In Pakistan, churches sometimes get blown up. And I've no doubt that even at this very moment, hardened Taliban soldiers in Afghanistan are going door-to-door rounding up and killing our brothers and sisters who believe in Jesus.
So I would urge those in our churches within the United States and Canada to go to websites such as Open Doors USA to learn about the waves of open persecution that is going on in the world.
We need to fervently pray for our brethren within the body of Christ who are on the front lines, and are suffering for their faith. As the Scripture clearly states, "And that, knowing the time, that now is the time to awaken out of sleep: for now, is our salvation nearer than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11).
D.B.
Although most of us probably give little thought to it, there are many nations where those who faithfully serve the Lord must do so at great risk. In places such as China, North Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and in other parts of Asia, Christians face imprisonment for openly proclaiming their faith.
The same is true in some parts of Africa where believers are harassed, arrested, beaten, and even killed. It's also happening in the Middle East. Christians who would gather together for worship and Bible study do so at great cost. In Pakistan, churches sometimes get blown up. And I've no doubt that even at this very moment, hardened Taliban soldiers in Afghanistan are going door-to-door rounding up and killing our brothers and sisters who believe in Jesus.
So I would urge those in our churches within the United States and Canada to go to websites such as Open Doors USA to learn about the waves of open persecution that is going on in the world.
We need to fervently pray for our brethren within the body of Christ who are on the front lines, and are suffering for their faith. As the Scripture clearly states, "And that, knowing the time, that now is the time to awaken out of sleep: for now, is our salvation nearer than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11).
D.B.
