Tag Archives: persecution

Living His Truth: Persecuted (the promise of God)

We will be hated.

We will be insulted.

People will lie about us.

We will be driven out of places.

We will suffer for Jesus.

Welcome to the gritty side of the gospel. The side we don’t talk about much.

You will be hated by everyone because of Me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. – Matthew 10:22

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.- 2 Timothy 3:12–13

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. – John 15:18

There’s more, but I think those will suffice for this point to be made:

Persecution is a promise from God.

That promise is full of unspoken truths, and one of those is that we do not have the right to NOT be persecuted. Our country’s Constitution makes every attempt to ensure that we have the freedom to practice our faith openly and without fear. But the Constitution is not a God-breathed document. Only scripture can claim His breath, and scripture makes us a promise that we will suffer persecution on various levels.

The culture likes to tell us that faith is a private choice, to be kept between us and our God, and we shouldn’t push our beliefs on anyone. At the same time, culture also wants total affirmation and agreement of their life choices, complete with parades and twisty pronouns.

Truth: While our faith is based on an individual relationship with God, it was never intended to be private.

Private faith has no reason to be persecuted, nor any need to stand firm. A light hidden poses no threat to darkness.

Those who boldly preach the Word of God, even the gritty parts, who refuse to condone or comfort sin, especially among believers, and who will not go along to get along. All who proclaim that Jesus Christ is the one and only way to the forgiveness of our sins and the inheritance of eternal life in heaven. Any who will boldly speak the truth when they’ve been told to stay quiet, who will worship God with their whole lives no matter who is watching.

These are the ones who will inherit this promise of God.

Lord, make us ready. By the power of Your Spirit give us boldness to live our faith out loud, to live Your truth and no other, to speak truth no matter the cost. To rejoice at being found worthy of suffering for the Name of Jesus.

“They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” – Acts 5:40-41 

And if we know our bible history at all, we know this: persecution builds the Church. Keeps us from stagnating. Forces us to make a decision instead of riding an imaginary fence. Scatters us, and the gospel we carry within us, into the harvest fields.

We all want the promises of God when the promises of God feel good to us. Let’s not run from the promise that is good for us.

Selah.

What happens in Rome…

We all know the story, or at least many of us do. You know, the one about what everyone thought Jesus had come to do, when in fact He hadn’t come to do that at all. Conquer Rome. Free the Jewish people from an oppressive government and restore to them a kingdom that was rightfully theirs.

We can all see it now. Jesus had something else in mind. Something no one imagined.

Jesus barely even mentioned Rome. Don’t you find that odd? That the biggest issue in the lives of His people at that time isn’t even addressed? That they were being taxed to death simply brought “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s”. He showed zero indignation toward Rome. There was not a word mentioned of Jewish rights as the people of God, no talk about protesting what was happening, no call to resistance.

I assume you know where I’m going with this. We are the people of God. Just for giggles, let’s call our government Rome.

I know some people can rattle off perfectly good reasons (in their mind) that the Church needs to be involved in politics, needs to have their finger on the pulse of culture, needs to push back for our “freedoms”. There’s a lot of talk about taking back the seven mountains, taking back the government, standing up for righteousness, but the problem I keep running into is this: I can’t find it in scripture. I can’t find that part where Jesus told us we have rights and freedoms and that we are to dictate the culture of the world. I see this…

A scribe approached him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Matthew 8:19-20

Jesus isn’t saying “if you choose to follow me, it could get uncomfortable”. He’s saying that when we choose to follow Him, we relinquish our right to have a place to call home here on earth. No right to a roof over our head.

In Matthew, chapter 10, the first time He sent out His disciples on mission, He sent them with no provision. He told them they would be beaten and imprisoned for His sake, that they would be brought before people in authority, but they were to be His witness in that situation.

In other words – unfair and unjust treatment is not something to fight against, it is to be used as an opportunity to be His witness.

When I read the gospels, I do not see rights. I do not see a call to resist or a call to take something back. I see a laying it all down, a giving it all away.

I see “sell everything you have and give it to the poor and follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21)

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39)

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me”. (Matthew 5:10-11)

It is clear from the scriptures that the people of God do not have a “right” to comfort, to fair treatment, to be respected, or to be treated kindly or justly (except by the other members of the family of God. There are big expectations in that category).

Beloved, we have not been tasked with conquering Rome. Frankly, that is a far too narrow a vision. Our assignment is simple, but has profound eternal consequences – love God with everything we’ve got, and love people as ourselves. Carry the gospel to all the nations. Make disciples (not just converts). Trust God in all things. Fix our eyes, minds, and hearts on heaven, not on earth.

We are a people called to lay down and give away, not demand and take back.

I know it seems radical and uncomfortable and goes against so many things ingrained in us as earthly citizens of this nation (or any other free nation). But we have something so much bigger on us than constitutional rights and allegiance to political parties. We have a call to allow the Holy Spirit of God to pursue the hearts and salvation of people, through us. A call to co-labor with Jesus to build His Kingdom, not a political kingdom with political power and authority. That is way too small and narrow. We are increasing the territory of the spiritual authority and power of heaven, on the earth. But that power and authority is not against men (flesh and blood), it is against “the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.” (Ephesians 6)

Our battle is not with Rome, it is with hell.

It is a battle fought through prayer, and through our obedience to the Word of God. It is fought best by those who are fully aware of who they are in Christ, and what they are actually fighting for – the souls of men. Not their political views or their opinions on current cultural issues. We are fighting for their eternal destinies.

The days are getting darker, and nothing in scripture tells us that evil will be vanquished or that the darkness will recede, until Jesus returns, no matter how bad we want it. That is not our fight.

Our fight is to pillage the darkness with the gospel that can save the souls of men and women held captive there, and to love one another while we do it.

#followJesus #betheChurch

Forty Days of Praying the Word of God: Day 30

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…”

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

Matthew 5:10; 2 Timothy 3:12; Matthew 5:44

Father, I pray for the persecuted Christians around the world, and I ask that Your presence would be so near to them, so tangible to them. I pray they will be strengthened in mind, body, and spirit by the Holy Spirit as they endure. I pray that You will encourage their hearts and be their continual comfort. I pray they will have the courage to speak truth, to preach the gospel, and to love those who are persecuting them. I pray that they will see the salvation of their persecutors! I pray that in the midst of persecution, Your Church will increase and be strengthened.

I pray for us, those who are not currently enduring serious persecution. Urge our hearts to pray for our brothers and sisters in the persecuted Church, Lord. Open our eyes to see them, and open our mouths to cry out on their behalf.

Father, I pray for an increased desire in Your people to live godly lives, even if it brings persecution. I pray that our souls will not yield to fear, will not yield to culture, will not yield to opinion, but will yield only to You. I pray we will steadfastly walk in Your ways, speak Your truth, and long for Your return. Strengthen us, and give us courage to walk contrary to the world around us, and to endure any persecution that comes from it. I pray that we will take the gospel You have entrusted to us into every place You send us, regardless of where that is. I pray that the gospel will go forth in increasing measure in the earth, especially in the western world. I pray for an increase in our witness here in the United States. May we see an increase in the sharing of the gospel in our neighborhoods, our grocery stores, our schools, and our workplaces. May we be willing to cross man made boundaries with Your life saving truth. I pray You will give us Your eyes to see the lost around us, and Your heart to see them saved. I pray, Father, that Your people will sense the urgency of the hour, and respond to Your Spirit.

I pray that You will teach us to pray for our enemies. May we be found praying for those who hurt us, reject us, and threaten us. Fill our hearts with Your love that we might actually, truly, love those who come against us. And in the days to come, in our hour of persecution, I pray that the Church in the west will rise up to be Your witnesses, not our own.

Prepare us, God, I pray. Prepare us to endure to the end. Prepare us to overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testimony. Prepare us to love not our lives, even unto death.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

Revelation 12:11

Increase our longing for You, Jesus. Increase our desire to walk as You walked, to partake of Your suffering, as well as Your joy. Let the pull of this earth lose its strength over us, as the pull of heaven draws us to fix our eyes on You. May we, for the joy set before us, take up our own cross and follow You.

In Your Name I pray. Amen.

the Church, a coming storm and let’s just close the door

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

Hebrews 12:1-2

The witnesses. What are they seeing as they peer through the realms at the Church all these many years after them? The ones who left such a legacy of faith in the face of the impossible. And all who have come since, those who endured (and are enduring even today) persecution, oppression, imprisonment, and death. For what whom? For Jesus and His Gospel. That’s it.

But they are not the only witnesses. The world is watching our nation right now, and they are watching the Church. What are the believers in Iraq and Iran and Turkey and Libya and Pakistan and two fistfuls of other countries who persecute and kill Christians, witnessing as they watch us? What does the underground Church in China see when they look at the aboveground Church in the west?

We are being watched and heard and we should be downright disturbed at the thought. Uncomfortable at the very least.

Do they see faith? Do they see love? Do they see a Church whose eyes are fixed on Jesus?

Or are they witnessing us wade into the political and cultural cesspool of this world, shouting our indignation at what the world is doing and speaking and thinking and being? And have they noticed that we are mostly shouting at one another? Brothers and sisters fighting, drawing blood, over…what? Political opinions? Who we voted for? How much faith does it take to be angry and opinionated and downright mean? How much faith is required to be a Democrat or a Republican? How much love is needed to call someone evil that we’ve never met, had a conversation with, or even seen in person? Mothers and fathers and husbands and wives to someone. People who have their own battles within that we know nothing of. In a culture where the vast majority of our information is based on rumors and opinions, how much precious time are we wasting believing the worst of what we hear?

Are they watching us believe what “reliable news sources” are saying, but struggling to believe what God has said? Do they see us believe that Trump is evil and racist and a dictator / Biden is a pedophile with Alzheimer’s who is nothing more than a puppet – because people on the internet said so, while we walk in crippling fear and anxiety even though God has told us not to fear and to be anxious for nothing? And by the way, has anyone else noticed that we have been judging the hearts – the motives and intentions – of men and women we do not actually know? Have we ever considered that we are stepping on the toes of the Holy One when we dare to assume that we know what is in the hearts of other people?

Do the persecuted see a Church that is with them in the fight of faith for the souls of the lost, or do they just see us fighting for whatever platform we have chosen to fly our flag from? Come on. Someone cough or shift in their seat or get up and leave the room. Or be brave and say ‘amen’. Something to indicate this is hitting someone besides me.

We can do better, beloved, I know we can. We can choose where our gaze is directed. We can choose what we have ears to hear. We can choose to either speak life or speak death. We can choose to love in our thoughts, our words, and our actions. We can choose to believe that God stills works all things for good and for glory and for a perfect purpose. We can choose to tend to the one anothers among us no matter their gender, color, or political opinions. We can choose to live our lives worthy of the Gospel, worthy of the grace and mercy and redemption we have received. Worthy of the One, the only One, deserving of our deepest affections and allegiance.

Some of us feel run over from trying to fight this cultural and political war. But here’s a thought: the cultural/political war is a spiritual war and we have been fully equipped to fight a spiritual war in Christ. We need to stop separating what is happening on the world stage from what is happening in the heavens. Maybe that sounds contradictory to what I’ve said above, but it isn’t.

We haven’t been fighting the wrong war, we’ve just been fighting it the wrong way (hint: think friendly fire, think wrestling against flesh & blood).

When we trust what our eyes and ears are seeing and hearing in the natural and respond accordingly, we are fighting wrong. When we begin to see brothers and sisters through a political lens, we are fighting wrong. When we spend more time on the internet than in the word of God, we are fighting wrong.

And, (pull in your toes cause I’m about to step on ’em) when we choose to take a political side, we are fighting wrong.

When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua approached him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied. “I have now come as commander of the Lord’s army.”

Joshua 5:13-14

Beloved, heaven is the side we take, every day all day. And let me just go ahead and state the obvious – heaven is neither Republican nor Democrat. Heaven isn’t rooting for either party. Heaven doesn’t have a platform or a political viewpoint. Heaven has a plan of salvation. Heaven’s agenda is redemption and reconciliation.

Heaven is the dwelling place of the Lord God Almighty, who commands an army beyond anything we can imagine. Heaven is where the Holy God, our Father, sits on the throne of thrones, ruling and reigning and rescuing wretches like you and me from the dominion of darkness. Wretches like Trump and Biden and all the other people we’ve chosen to love or hate.

Heaven is where the risen Christ, our Lord and our Savior, sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. He is not interceding for a political race to go His way, He is praying for you and for me. Praying for His Church in this hour.

I need to wrap this thing up. It’s much longer than a blog post should be, but you know me. I get going and I’ve got a little weight on me so the momentum kind of takes over, know what I’m sayin?

I’m going to share what I believe, based on a number of recent visions God has given me, and words He has shared with me. Nope, it’s not a prophecy. It’s simply what I’m seeing and hearing and believing.

{*whisper voice* – I think He’s speaking to many of you as well, giving visions and dreams and words of knowledge about what’s here and what’s coming. Come out, come out, wherever you are. We need your voice.}

I believe there are dark days ahead, particularly for the Church, and even more particularly for the Western Church. I believe there is a storm, a tsunami of persecution coming our way. But I also believe that it will serve a divine purpose. Not punishment, purpose. I believe it will draw us together like nothing else could, causing us to lean on one another and teaching us to stand together as one. It will strip away what needs to be stripped from us, and there is much that needs to be stripped. I believe all of this is because we are loved by our Father, who refuses to let His Church continue to be absorbed by both self and the world.

I also believe that this darkness that is coming will usher in at least two things – repentance and revival. It will turn our gaze back to where it belongs – fixed on Jesus. It will separate the ones who pick up their cross and those who just hang around the cross. It will reveal lukewarm hearts and force them to choose – cold or hot, what’s it gonna be?

Finally, I believe it is time for the Church to shake off her distractions and get on her face before the throne of her King. It is time to repent and to seek His face and His presence and to desire His glory above all else. It is time to cry out for Him to give us undivided hearts and minds and affections that are for Him alone.

I watched a teaching by Cory Russell recently in which he said that it is time for the Church to go into the secret place and CLOSE THE DOOR.

All I can say to that is Amen and Amen. Let’s close the door on every distraction, every hindrance, every bit of worldly noise, and be with our Father. Oh, I pray we will do this. I pray we will hear His voice calling us to return to Him, to return to the one thing, the better thing. I pray we will begin to burn to close the door and just be with Him.

And finally, this: the pattern of scripture is that persecution causes the people of God to multiply, and the gospel goes forth in great measure.

The suffering of Christ produced salvation. The suffering of the Church produces a harvest for the Kingdom.

Selah.

what weighs more?

God spoke to the church at Antioch and told them, “Set apart for Me Barnabus and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2) So off they went on their mission trip. 

~ In Paphos, “Elymas the sorcerer opposed them…” (13:8)

~ At Pisidian Antioch, they were asked to preach two weeks in a row, and drew quite a large crowd. “When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.”, (13:15) and “stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.” (13:50)

~ At Iconium, “…the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers” (14:2), and plotted to stone them. (14:5)

~ In Lystra, they stoned Paul and left him for dead. (14:19)

Finally, they returned to Antioch “where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.“ (15:26)

 Imagine returning from such a trip! What would you tell people?

Here is what Paul and Barnabus told the church that had sent them out:

“On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” (15:27)  They would have reported that…

~ In Paphos, “When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.” (13:12)

~ At Pisidian Antioch, “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.” (13:48)

~ At Iconium, “There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.” (14:1)

~ In Lystra, they encountered a man who had been crippled his whole life, who listened to Paul speaking. Paul “saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.” (14:9-10)

~ In Derbe, “They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples.” (14:21)

There are two truths that I walk away with from God’s word today.

  • The works of God far outweigh the works of men. 

When Paul and Barnabus returned to Antioch, they told the church all that God had done. My guess is that they may have also talked about what men had done to them, but what is noted by Luke (the writer of Acts) is that they spoke of God.

It comes down to a very simple thought for me. Will I talk more about what man is doing, or what God is doing? Is my report more about what is happening to me, or is it about what I see of God?

  • Regardless of opposition, God is always at work. 

My calling is not to stop the opposition, it is to continue with the mission. Whatever the enemy is doing through men, God is doing more through His Spirit.

So, do I allow opposition to discourage me, confuse me or even stop me? Or will I see opposition as part of the calling, and continue on, knowing that whatever He calls me to do, I can complete, because He is at work in far greater measure than the opposition?

The answers I give will depend on what weighs more in my heart and mind.  What happens to me, or what happens through me. The opposition, or the work of God.

i want to be like them

A miraculous healing turned into an opportunity for the gospel, which resulted in persecution, which brought yet another gospel moment, resulting in threats, which compelled the Church into prayer, which brought an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the boldness they were seeking.  All that took place in the 3rd and 4th chapters of Acts, and I find it all very fascinating. But there’s more to this story that catches my eye and my thoughts.

“While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: ‘Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?’“ Acts 3:11-12

“By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”  Acts 3:16

Peter was adamant that only Jesus would get the recognition for what had taken place. He refused to be the star of the show, acknowledging that neither his own power, nor his own godliness was at work in the healing.  Humanity, and it weaknesses and tendencies have not changed over the centuries. If I am not careful, I too can find myself looking for a hero in the men and women of faith around me. I could find myself watching God’s miracles take place, and assume that it had something to do with the power or godliness of the person through whom His power flowed.  “Lord, remind me of the Name. The only Name that is to be lifted up in my heart.”

 “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”  Acts 4:13

It’s like a lightbulb went on for the rulers, elders and teachers that Peter and John now stood before.  They saw ordinary, unschooled men of courage standing before them, boldly proclaiming Christ to them. And then it dawned on them. These men had been with Jesus. The original wording of ‘been with’ means “to be privy to; to know”. Peter and John had not just “been around” Jesus, they had been with Him, they knew Him, and the rulers took note of that.  “Lord, I want to be “with” You, I want to have that intimate knowledge of You, so that no matter who I am speaking to, regardless of their title or their station in life, I will speak with courage, boldly proclaiming Christ. Produce in me the courage that comes from being with You.”

“Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, ‘Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.'” Acts 4:18-20

They were compelled. Couldn’t help it. Had to do it.  What have we seen and heard? What have we been witness to that needs to be proclaimed? “Lord, I want the “cannot help it” that was in Peter and John to be in me. I want to be compelled to speak of You, of Your wondrous works, of all that I have seen and heard.”

“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”  Acts 4:29

I find this amazing. They had been told not to speak the Name of Jesus anymore, and “after further threats”, they were let go. (v. 18-21) What is so wonderous to me is what they didn’t pray. They didn’t ask God to stop the threats, or strike down the ones making the threats. They didn’t ask for anything that would make it easier on them. They asked for boldness to do what they had been told not to do. Proclaim the Name. “Lord, put these kind of prayers in me. I want to be a woman who will not pray for whatever will make my life easier, but will pray for the boldness to do what You have called me to do. I don’t want to pray threats out, I want to pray boldness in.”

This was the Church being built by God.  A place where the Name of Jesus is the only Name lifted high, where men are men, not heroes or superstars.  It is in His Church that being “with” Him, knowing Him intimately, produces men and women of courage and boldness, who are compelled to speak of what they have seen and heard.  Where both healings and persecution become opportunities for the gospel. The Church, made up of men and women who prayed for boldness rather than comfort. People to whom the Name of Christ is that important.

Beautiful, isn’t it? I want to see that beauty in the Church today. It’s there, because God is still building, I just need to open my eyes.

would I go?

I tried to imagine myself among the twelve men Jesus called and then sent in chapter 10 of the gospel of Matthew. As I read the scriptures, I pictured myself standing among them, hearing these instructions for the first time with them. I then wondered how I would receive His instructions today, in the world I inhabit, in the Church as it is today. What follows are my thoughts as I read chapter 10 as though I am standing with the twelve. In all fairness though, these are not just my own thoughts. I have heard the same kind of thoughts expressed by others, so I can’t take all of the credit (or the rap) for what follows.

“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.”   What if it doesn’t work? What if I don’t have enough faith in that? What if I pray for them and they don’t get healed or come back to life? Then I’ll look like an idiot, and I’ll make people doubt Your power.

“Do not take any gold or silver…take no bag for the journey or extra tunic or sandals…”  No provisions? No money? That doesn’t seem very prepared to me. What if there’s an emergency? How can I wear the same clothes the whole time? Is it wise to depend on the generosity of the people we are being sent to?

“Be on your guard..they will hand you over…and flog you.” Beg your pardon?  Surely there is some other, less dangerous way to do this.

“All men will hate you…when you are persecuted, flee…”  I don’t want people to hate me. I work very hard to make sure people like me. And I can’t run very fast. Seriously. I can’t.

“Do not  be afraid of those who kill the body  but cannot kill the soul.”  Don’t be afraid? I’m already afraid. I was afraid when you said “flog”. Now you’re saying I might die. I don’t know about this. I have a family to think about. 

“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” There must be some other meaning to that statement.

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”  I don’t know. This all sounds extreme. I’m going to have to pray about this. You can’t make this kind of commitment without a lot of prayer and counsel. I need to be wise and figure out if I am really being called to do something this radical.

I wonder. If Jesus chose 12 of us today, how many of us would still be standing there at the end of His instructions? Would there be one who would say “Here I am. Send me.”?

We don’t know what those disciples were thinking or feeling.  What we do know is this. Because of the commitment of the early followers of Jesus, you and I received the good news. The willingness of a few to lay down their lives for Christ completely changed the world. We also know that the world still needs to hear about Jesus.

As I put myself among them, hearing the instructions Jesus sent them out with, I marvel at their courage. And I am inspired by their love for the One sending them. I am also very aware that I don’t really know if I would have remained standing there. I need to search my heart and examine the strength of my love and commitment to Jesus and the radical way of life that comes with being His follower. And then I need to get at His feet and ask Him to strengthen that in me that feels so weak at the moment.

I should probably also stop trying to figure out just how much a flogging would hurt. I think I may be obsessing.