OVER 365,000,000 FOLLOWERS OF JESUS AT RISK

"They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service."  (John 16:2)

When I was a young man, especially in my teen years, my "sheltered life" made it difficult for me to relate to many of the Psalms, and all passages which spoke of suffering.

Then at age 25 I read God's Smuggler and life began to change.  Over the years I personally met Followers of Jesus who had been in prison, beaten, watched by neighbor-informers, and had close relatives who had been killed for following Jesus.  Yes, and there are still 365,000,000+ people who are going through all of the above.

Two things:  First, I am thankful to live here in the United States of America where it is extremely rare that anyone is killed for being a Follower of Jesus.  Secondly, however, there is a call for you and me to do all we can to serve those who daily face the reality of our text.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for the millions of the Brethren who face death daily for Your Name.  Amen.

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

JESUS WORKED IT IN--WE MUST WORK IT OUT

"Therefore,...work out your salvation with fear and trembling."  (From Philippians 2:12

We need to read vv. 1-11 in order to know why the "therefore" is there for.  

Do you think we could say that since Jesus Christ works our salvation in, we should then work it out?  Perhaps.

If so, the how to, "work out your own salvation," must begin with, "fear and trembling."  Secondly, there can be no, "work out your own salvation," without obedience to the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in the Scriptures, being the number one priority for guidance.

Father, in Jesus' Name, this has always had my wonderment.  I submit afresh, however, to walking out this command.  Amen.  

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

AN "EXPECTATION" CHECK

"He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay."  (Matthew 28:6)

"He is not here."  He could have added, "....even though you expected Him to be here."  

It was a shock, because they expected Jesus to be in the tomb; He was not.  Instead, they heard and saw, "He is not here....He is risen, [just] as He said."

Life Lesson:  I need to expect Jesus "to be" where I don't expect Him to be.

"Hallelujah, my Father, for giving us Your Son; Sending Him into the world to be given up for men, knowing we would bruise Him and smite Him from the earth. Hallelujah, my Father in His death is my birth; Hallelujah, my Father, in His life is my life."  Amen.

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