Persecution Worldwide

Tis the Season

As we head into celebrating the Holiday Season, well, since like October in the Big Box Stores, it is easy to forget the real reason for the Season. It really is not about the gift under the Tree, but rather, the Gift ON the Tree. It is all about Jesus. All about the Fact,

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." {John 1:14}

It is all about this.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." {John 3:16-18}

This is the time of year when most People, who call themselves Christian, actually plan on, and actually go, to Church. For the most part, Christmas and Easter. Funny People really want to go then. It is Human Nature if you think about it. When does the whole Family get together? Births, Weddings, and Deaths. So most want to come celebrate the Birth, and the Death, rather the Resurrection of Jesus.

However, it is easy to lose track of what it is all about in this Country. We live in a free Country. Oh, we do have some persecution in this Country. You may be made fun of. The Media may try to tell you that you are in the Minority. It may seem as if it is open season on People who believe the Bible.

Yeah, you may lose friends. You may not get, or you may lose your Job. People may think you are weird. Persecution? I guess. Let me ask you this. What do these all have in common?

Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Chiapas, Mexico, China, Colombia, Comoros, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia.

Take a breath. Ready? Maldives, Mindanao, Philippines, Mauritania, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan,Syria, Tajikistan, Tibet {China), Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam,Yemen.

Yup. These are all areas of the world where Christians face Persecution. In more than 40 nations around the world, today's Christians are being Persecuted for their Faith. In some of these Nations, it is illegal to own a Bible, to share your Faith in Christ, change your Faith or teach your Children about Jesus. Those who boldly follow Christ in these areas can face Harassment, Arrest, Torture and even Death. Entire Christian families are imprisoned in Hard Labor Camps, where unknown numbers die each year from Torture, Beatings, Overexertion, and Starvation. It may not be here in this Country to this degree yet. I submit to you, it is coming.

Jesus Told us this in John 15:20

"Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours."

He also warned us that they WILL come after those that follow Him.

"And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." {Luke 12: 11-12}

So when someone looks at you a little weird, do you continue to be the Child of God you are called to be? Or do you take a cue from Peter and deny Jesus altogether? Do you say Merry Christmas, or have you been shamed into Happy Holidays? What about those areas that will Torture and Kill you for being a Child of God? Christians continue to meet for Worship and to Witness for Christ, and the Church in these restricted Nations is growing.

I bring this up for a couple of reasons. First, these are our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. We need to keep them in Prayer. We live in such comfort in this Country, we have no real clue what they are going through.

Don't believe me? Look at our Poor? We have Roofs over our heads, a Car to get around. Foods on the Table, Cell Phones, and TVs. If you can't pay for it, no worries, you can get a check from the Government. Most have a few dollars in their pockets in case they want that $6.00 cup of Coffee, or $10.00 pack of Smokes. Let's not forget about the Beer.

Now, look at the Poor in other Countries. No work? Starve and die. No Roofs, Car, Cell Phones, TV, ETC. Most do not have running Water or Electric. There is no Check coming from the Government to help you fund your habits or even to put food on the table.

Forget about being locked up. Here we get Lawyers and Courts. They must have an abundance of Evidence. They must PROVE their Case. A friend of mine who is a Lawyer, once told me, it is not about Right or Wrong, it is about who can tell the best story. "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull." If all fails and you go to Jail? Here we get TV, AC, Three Meals a day. We have in most cases an ability to make money while being locked up. We can even get an Education while sitting in a Cell.

There? Arrested. Stripped Naked for extended periods of time. Beaten. Raped. Burned, Electrocuted, Dismembered and Scared for Life. Starved. Refused Water. Worked to Death, literally. Lawyer? No. Court? Not really. Reason for Arrest? Having a Bible Study.

Second, REALLY think about your Relationship with God. Oh, we are into the Holiday Season. Jingle Bells and Silent Night are playing on the Muzac Systems in the Stores. People are decorating with pretty lights and decorations. But what is your Relationship with God? Is He your God? Do "you love the LORD your God with all your Heart, all your Soul, and all your Mind?" Do you call Him " Abba, Father?" If this is the only time you plan on going to Church, then I submit to you that you may want to seriously ask these questions of yourself.

If someone was to knock on your door, and you knew that you would be Arrested, Tortured, or just simply Killed, What would your answer be to "Are you a Christian?" What would your answer be to "Do you believe in Jesus?" Or, "Do you believe the Bible?" What would your answer be?

Oh, go roast your Chestnuts. Hang your Stockings. Sing Jingle Bells. Go to that Ugly Sweater Party. Just remember, the time is coming where just claiming to be a Christian is no longer enough. It is the time we stand, Time we become the Children of God we are called to be. Time to seriously take a look in the mirror. Is it Happy Holidays or is it Merry Christmas? Is it REAL for you, or just a nice time of year? What say you?

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord!