Adventure Day 13 - 3/6/09

Today's assigned Scripture passage is Jesus' letter to the Church of Philadelphia [Read Revelation 3:7-13]. In that letter, Christ says of that church...."Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth." Throughout the generations since John first recorded these words, many of God's people have faced serious persecution for the Faith. The church in America has not seen the kind of persecution faced in other countries... persecution that is happening all around the world even now as you read this e-devotional. Whether this will remain the case in the days ahead, only God knows for sure. I'll have more to say on this topic on Sunday in the message.

Have you personally ever suffered for taking a stand for your loyalty to Jesus Christ? Is it your habit to include in your prayers intercession for those who are presently being persecuted, or who are even facing martyrdom, for their faith? As we look at this short letter to the believers in Philadelphia, we see Christ commending them for keeping his Word, and not denying his Name, even when they had "little power" while facing the forces against them. He encourages them by saying "I am coming soon...hold fast to what you have."

Today, lift up a prayer for our teens at school, or students you know at college, who face being ridiculed as odd for following Christ, living Biblical values, believing Truth rather than the lie. Pray for brothers and sisters in places like India or Pakistan, Iran and Iraq, Islamic nations or Communist nations, where keeping God's Word and not denying Christ's name can be toxic if not fatal. And pray for our children and grandchildren, who face uncertain days ahead even in our own country.

Hold fast, my friends....
Pastor Paul