Persecuted for Christ’s Sake

As Christ was hated without cause, so will His people be hated because they are obedient to the commandments of God. If He who was pure, holy, and undefiled, who did good and only good in our world, was treated as a base criminal and condemned to death, His disciples must expect but similar treatment, however faultless may be their life and blameless their character.

Human enactments, laws manufactured by satanic agencies under a plea of goodness and restriction of evil, will be exalted, while God’s holy commandments are despised and trampled underfoot. And all who prove their loyalty by obedience to the law of Jehovah must be prepared to be arrested, to be brought before councils that have not for their standard the high and holy law of God.

Those who live during the last days of this earth’s history will know what it means to be persecuted for the truth’s sake. In the courts injustice will prevail. The judges will refuse to listen to the reasons of those who are loyal to the commandments of God, because they know that arguments in favor of the fourth commandment are unanswerable. They will say, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die.” God’s law is nothing to them. “Our law” with them is supreme. Those who respect this human law will be favored, but those who will not bow to the idol sabbath will have no favors shown them.

In summer there is no noticeable difference between evergreens and other trees; but when the blasts of winter come, the evergreens remain unchanged, while other trees are stripped of their foliage. So the falsehearted professor may not now be distinguished from the real Christian, but the time is just upon us when the difference will be apparent. Let opposition arise, let bigotry and intolerance again bear sway, let persecution be kindled, and the halfhearted and hypocritical will waver and yield the faith; but the true Christian will stand firm as a rock, his faith stronger, his hope brighter, than in days of prosperity.

Maranatha p. 195
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Prayer Requests

—–update—Jerry is out of the hospital and is in rehab. . . . No fever now for 24 hrs but will continue antibiotics for a few more days. Lesley

—–I would like to have my great nephew put on your prayer list…..he is in his twenties and got real ill real quick. He has pneumonia plus necro pharm something, cant remember the rest. anyway it is deadly and the Dr. said the only thing that kept him alive this past week was his youth otherwise he would be dead. Things don’t look too promising . . . . My sister in law is hanging in there the one that fell and broke her hip and pelvis the day before her 1st cancer treatment. . . . She can’t go up to the hospital cause of her low immune system. Would everyone please pray for this young man, his Aunt and the whole family. Cindi

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Dear Friends,

One day when Esther was in her mid-teens, she decided to make something for her lunch. Since she was the only one home, she looked for something small to cook in. I had glass pans that were specially made for stovetop use, but the flat, glass top to my slow cooker was not. Without thinking, Esther grabbed that glass lid, put some food into it, and put it on the burner to cook. Then, without knowing why, she walked out of the room.

When she came to her senses, she was looking out of the long, narrow window in the back door. Surprised, she asked herself, “Why did I come in here?” At that very moment, she heard something explode. Rushing back to the kitchen to investigate, she found countless pieces of glass on the stove, on the counter, on the floor, everywhere. While she was cleaning up the mess, Esther suddenly realized that if she had not gone into the laundry room and looked out of the back door, she could have been badly hurt. As she picked up a large dagger-like piece of glass, she thanked God for His protecting care!

God says to us as He assured Israel of old, “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.” Ex 23:20 Although we cannot see the Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night as they did, we have the assurance that our Dear Saviour is ever with us. Even though our Loving Saviour is “upholding all things by the word of his power,” He is never too occupied with His duties in the realms above to lose sight of us. (Heb 1:3) He is never too busy to hear and answer our prayers individually just as if we were the only person in the entire world. He is interested in every aspect of our life. He cares for even the smallest details of our life. Indeed, we are engraven upon the palms of His hands. (Isa 49:16) He assures us, “I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee” Jer 15:20 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of naught. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isa 41: 10-13

Because of God’s great love, we can with confidence claim the promises in Psalm 91. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.”

How great and good God is! He watches over us with such tender care! Only when we get to Heaven, will we realize how many times He has delivered us out of the hand of the enemy of souls. May we fully trust Him, declaring as did David, “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.” Ps 56:11. May we allow Him to have complete control of every part of our life. May we give all our love to our Great Redeemer and Protector is my prayer.

Rose