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God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 (NIV)
"Persecuted” ‘ to be afflict constantly so as to injure or distress especially for reasons of religion, politics or race.’1In the 20th Century, Adolph Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Idi Amin, Moa Zedong, and Joseph Stalin are men remembered in history as people who persecuted those who lived by a set of life guidelines they did not follow.
In today’s world, Christian people overseas endure unspeakable acts done to family members just because of their belief in Jesus Christ. I once read of a pastor and his small son who attended a conference. On their way home, they slept in their car. Some non-Christians found the car and set it afire. Both the father and the son were burned alive. 2
In the United States, we haven’t any idea of what people in other areas of the world.
Jesus told his disciples,” In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33, NIV)
We live in a fallen world. 2 Timothy 3 gives us a picture of the transgressions that characterize ungodly behavior. What follows are just a few examples given by Paul.
·”People will be lovers of themselves,” We see a lot of people who believe they exist so others will see them as perfect. We have a lot of ‘drama kings/queens’ who pontificate about their problems.
·“. . . lovers of money. . .” People in our world seem to be in love with getting money any way they can. Scams crop up at any time. The media alerted us of unscrupulous people posing as groups seeking funds to help the victims of the Boston Bombing.
·“. . . boastful, proud. . . .” We hear of people who only talk of what they have done to help others. These people are their own largest audience. When the ‘drama kings/queens’ they aren't talking about what they perceive as their problems talk about how great they are.
·” . . . abusive. . .” We see more and more abuse in our world today. We see abuse comes to play in all stages of life-aimed at children, the elderly, and the disabled.
·“ . . slanderous, without self-control . . .” Certain people seem to enjoy telling bad things to others about their neighbors and those with whom they associate. These slanderers do not control their tongues. They inflict hurt to all- those whom they meet and especially those about whom they speak.
·” . . . brutal . . .” Some of the most horrible acts against others happened in the past few years.
1.) An elderly woman held in her home for days while unspeakable things were done to her.
2.) A daughter murdered in front of her mother because the mother ended a relationship.
3.) A co-owner of a restaurant was murdered by an ex-boyfriend. The woman was shot in the kitchen of the restaurant.
These circumstances are just a few examples of what occurs in our society today. These episodes of brutality and abuse happened in my home town. I’m sorry to say these events are all true.
We need the LORD to show us how to combat these horrific actions taken by man against man.
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1.) Webster’s New World Dictionary
2.) Voice of Martyrs article, several years ago.
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Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.
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