Do you notice persecution?

"'Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.' " (Matthew 10:32)

Here's an email I received today from a lady I met in a coffee shop who was presenting the Good News of Jesus to somebody.

Derrick - I received your letter and the template yesterday and I thank you so very much for sending it. I appreciated so very much your note too.

Jeanette and I were so grateful God sent you our way that day at Peet's Coffee. We've shared with several others about your awesome presentation. I do have continued contact with Nila as I teach her girls piano lessons. I plan to invite the girls to Daily Vacation Bible School at my church in August. We keep praying that soon Nila will "see the light" and accept Christ.

Jeanette and our granddaughter Jenna recently spent the weekend at the Muslim Festival in Dearborn, Mi. They were with a group of about 70 Christians who were sponsored by the Arab Christian Perspective group from Anaheim. Interesting - the Dearborn police told them they couldn't share their faith or hand out literature. A Christian lawyer took it to court because it violated our First Amendment Rights. (Dearborn has the highest concentration of Muslims in the USA and hundreds of thousands come to this festival every year.) The court ruled against the Christians. It will be appealed. The group was confined to an isolated area and had to agree (and sign papers) to many restrictions - or it would be an arrest and a four year jail term. In spite of this - they were able to witness there and God gave them many opportunities to share their faith.

God bless you!!!




As I live more in the world, and grow in faith (Even though I sin all the time, but it brings me even closer to God) for the Lord, I feel more presecution. I've attended group prayer outside a jail for a pastor who was jailed for being outside an abortion clinic. I've felt my faith persecuted in the public school setting. I know others who have been persecuted for being faithful. Luckily for us, God is all knowing. He already knew there would be persecution so Jesus has already given us assurance in face of persecution.


"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." (Matthew 5:11)

" ' Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.' " (Matthew 10:32)

If we cling to his words, we can rejoice even in times of persecution. I mean, tradition has it that our very St. Peter and St. Paul were killed for standing firm in their faith. Yet, Paul tells us to rejoice even as he was going to his death.


Do we acknowledge Jesus before men?

Stand firm for Jesus. Peace be with you.