"And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam." (2 Chronicles 13:2c)
Instead of my "sectional" schedule this quarter, once again I'm reading the Scriptures straight through. What I have been taking note of more and more over the years is the amount of warfare the Bible describes, the struggles people go through, the betrayals, intrigues, etc. The Bible does not describe ethereal religion.
For example, I read this morning that, "In Iran...three believers, accused of 'engaging in propaganda that educates in a deviant way contrary to the holy religion of Islam,' have begun a 3-year prison sentence for following Jesus." They are at war. And, I never forget that most of our Fellow Followers of Jesus around the world are suffering persecution, living under extreme conditions.
Those of us who live in the Untied States of America know nothing of this, why, I don't know. I have always felt, however, that it is incumbent upon us Americans to walk out the Words, "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for self-indulgence, but by love serve one another."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that the self-indulgent "freedom" never be mine. Amen.
*******************************
*******************************
May 21-28: Mission with the Indian Community in Saskatchewan
August 15-26: Mission with the Crow in Montana
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
