I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” – Psalm 91:2
Peace and quiet: enjoying the comfortable feeling of being at ease with the situations in life. When’s the last time you felt true peace in your life? In the world there are constant challenges and stressful situations that can easily overwhelm someone. There is no doubt that you will have problems and stress in your life. The key is how you are going to deal with it.
We read the history books and factual accounts of the early Christians battling persecution and even death for what they believe in. Historians and 2nd century writings tell us that John the Apostle was boiled alive in a vat of oil at the hands of Roman Emperor Domitian. John survived that attempt on his life, by a miracle of Jesus Christ. John was then banished to the island of Patmos to die. There Jesus Christ appeared to John and we have the book of Revelations as a result. Stephen was stoned to death, Paul was beheaded and Peter was crucified on a cross upside down. Polycarp, one of John’s disciples and the arch-bishop of the church in Smyrna (modern day Turkey), was burned alive at the stake, refusing to renounce his Christian faith. The thing to realize is that the persecution of the church of Jesus Christ did not stop in the 2nd century AD. No, that’s when it began.
We look at the Roman Emperor’s of the 1st and 2nd centuries and think what horrific things they did to the early Christians, yet we have the same thing going on all over the world today. Jesus Christ, and those that believe in Him will always be persecuted (John 15:20). Not because people are against Christians, but because Satan is still trying to prove his authority and power. Here we are in the 21st century and Christians are still persecuted in countries all over the world. It is estimated that well over 100 Christians are killed for their beliefs every year. There are recorded accounts of persecutions and killings in over 40 countries around the globe to this day. Even despite the killings, as terrible as they are, Satan is attacking Christians every day through other religions, through the media, through politics, through temptations and trials of every sort. If Satan can get you to a position where you no longer trust God as your protector and Lord then he can push you to renounce Jesus Christ’s redemption and sacrifice all together.
This war will one day cease, and in that day Satan and his minions will be cast into the depths of hell. Until that day though, we must stand strong and trust in God’s promise for eternity through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Prayer:We read the history books and factual accounts of the early Christians battling persecution and even death for what they believe in. Historians and 2nd century writings tell us that John the Apostle was boiled alive in a vat of oil at the hands of Roman Emperor Domitian. John survived that attempt on his life, by a miracle of Jesus Christ. John was then banished to the island of Patmos to die. There Jesus Christ appeared to John and we have the book of Revelations as a result. Stephen was stoned to death, Paul was beheaded and Peter was crucified on a cross upside down. Polycarp, one of John’s disciples and the arch-bishop of the church in Smyrna (modern day Turkey), was burned alive at the stake, refusing to renounce his Christian faith. The thing to realize is that the persecution of the church of Jesus Christ did not stop in the 2nd century AD. No, that’s when it began.
We look at the Roman Emperor’s of the 1st and 2nd centuries and think what horrific things they did to the early Christians, yet we have the same thing going on all over the world today. Jesus Christ, and those that believe in Him will always be persecuted (John 15:20). Not because people are against Christians, but because Satan is still trying to prove his authority and power. Here we are in the 21st century and Christians are still persecuted in countries all over the world. It is estimated that well over 100 Christians are killed for their beliefs every year. There are recorded accounts of persecutions and killings in over 40 countries around the globe to this day. Even despite the killings, as terrible as they are, Satan is attacking Christians every day through other religions, through the media, through politics, through temptations and trials of every sort. If Satan can get you to a position where you no longer trust God as your protector and Lord then he can push you to renounce Jesus Christ’s redemption and sacrifice all together.
This war will one day cease, and in that day Satan and his minions will be cast into the depths of hell. Until that day though, we must stand strong and trust in God’s promise for eternity through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Almighty God,
Your word is truth. Your grace is available through a belief in the Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. I believe that He lived, He died and He rose again to take away my sins. I believe that my purpose on this earth is to serve You, and to follow the teachings of Your Son. I trust in Your promise of eternal life with You in heaven one day. I rely on You for my strength to overcome temptations in life and to shelter me from the storms brought on by this world. In Your name I pray – Amen
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