This update has nothing really to do with Easter, but it is close to Easter, hence the title (ok so after typing this out it totally has to do with Easter). I am feeling so blessed. I like to get things done right away so waiting for June 26th and raising support is definitely an area where God is working on my patience. So please be praying for that.
The other day, I was doing my daily devotional and I read the following passage. (The book it is from is called Voices of the Faithful: Inspiring Stories of COurage from Christians Serving Around the World)
"That I may know Him, and the power of HIs resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering, being conformed to His death." Philippians 3:10 (NASB)
This was the second group of leaders we had trained in two weeks. The training had been going well even though many of the believers were young: some young in their years and some in their faith. A couple of them were only 15 or 16 years old. Some had only been Christian for a few months.
The teaching for the morning was on baptism, and a 15-year-old girl wanted to be baptized. She has been a believer from a young age but had never been immersed.
Four questions are asked during a baptism: (1) Do you believe in Jesus? (2) Has He forgiven your sins? (3) Do you promise to walk with Him always? But there is one more question.
I watched and listened to the father, who would be performing the baptism. Calmly, and with much joy, he asked the first, second, and third questions. Then I heard a surprising question. The father asked the fourth question, "When they come into our house and take us away, when they beat us, and try to get us to deny Him, will you still follow Jesus?"
There before my eyes, a father was asking his daughter to be willing to be persecuted for her faith in Christ, and to be willing to see him persecuted for his faith. With a sense of awe, I prayed that I might be more like them. I think they understood more clearly what the Father felt when He send His Son to die for us.
The other day, I was doing my daily devotional and I read the following passage. (The book it is from is called Voices of the Faithful: Inspiring Stories of COurage from Christians Serving Around the World)
"That I may know Him, and the power of HIs resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering, being conformed to His death." Philippians 3:10 (NASB)
This was the second group of leaders we had trained in two weeks. The training had been going well even though many of the believers were young: some young in their years and some in their faith. A couple of them were only 15 or 16 years old. Some had only been Christian for a few months.
The teaching for the morning was on baptism, and a 15-year-old girl wanted to be baptized. She has been a believer from a young age but had never been immersed.
Four questions are asked during a baptism: (1) Do you believe in Jesus? (2) Has He forgiven your sins? (3) Do you promise to walk with Him always? But there is one more question.
I watched and listened to the father, who would be performing the baptism. Calmly, and with much joy, he asked the first, second, and third questions. Then I heard a surprising question. The father asked the fourth question, "When they come into our house and take us away, when they beat us, and try to get us to deny Him, will you still follow Jesus?"
There before my eyes, a father was asking his daughter to be willing to be persecuted for her faith in Christ, and to be willing to see him persecuted for his faith. With a sense of awe, I prayed that I might be more like them. I think they understood more clearly what the Father felt when He send His Son to die for us.
-A Worker in China
I felt so challenged by this! I hope you really let the words sink in and really meditate on what it means to be persecuted for your faith. It is my prayer for myself that I am that passionate and dedicated to my walk with Christ and I am able to follow Him like that if necessary.
1 comment:
AMEN! Thanks for sharing, Hezzah :)
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