"I know your affliction and your poverty. I know the slander ..." Rev 2:9 He can say this because He became one of us! And He know everything - including our troubles.
He has nothing critical to say here, only encouragement and eternal perspective. This section includes one of my favourite passages, "Be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you eternal life."Rev 2:10b Such encouragement from our Lord to them and us!
Christians are still being persecuted in varying degrees. Voice of the Martyrs report:
Join me in prayer "For Those Who Suffer for the Sake of Truth" (Lutheran Book of Prayer)It is impossible to know with absolute certainty the exact number of Christians killed for their faith each year. However, according to the World Evangelical Alliance, more than 200 million Christians in at least 60 countries are denied fundamental human rights solely because of their faith.Much of today's persecution still takes place in remote areas of countries often cut off from or with restricted access to modern communications. Most martyrs suffer and die anonymously - unknown and forgotten - their deaths unrecorded except in heaven. What is reported often occurs weeks, months and even years after the fact. Persecution is often such a part of life that it hardly dawns on the afflicted to tell the world. Even then, many are nervous about sharing what they know for fear of retribution.
Lord God, revealed in the Christ as the One whose foolishness is wiser than men and whose weakness is stronger than men:
Help those who suffer for the sake of truth, to find Your strength in their weakness, to see Your glory in what is despised, to feel Your presence in what is desolate.
Help them to understand that in Your gentleness there is power, that in Your grace there is strength, that in Your forgiveness there is life.
Relieve them from torture and pain, from strain of the emotions, from temptation, danger and agony of soul.
Use their suffering for the conversion of those who torment them, for the strengthening of those who love them, for the welfare of Your people everywhere.
Keep them in Your steadfast love in Christ, our Lord, for His sake. Amen
The end of the devotion for today says, "Through His Word, God promises to strengthen you and keep you faithful. Make that Word then, the centerpiece of your holiday preparations."
What are ways you "make the Word a centrepiece" in your home during the Advent/Christmas season - individually or in your family?
5 comments:
Reading about the church in Smyrna brought to mind the Christians suffering persecution from the group in the Middle East trying to assert itself as "The" Islamic State. Thank you, Rachel, for the report on how widespread persecution of Christianity is and for sharing the prayer for our brothers and sisters in the faith who are undergoing these kinds of trials.
As for things we do to keep God's Word the focus during Advent, this book club is huge for me! For my children, instead of an Advent calendar, per se, we have Advent banner to which a piece of the picture is added each day in December until Christmas. for each piece (a star, an angel, Mary, the manger, etc.) there is a Bible passage to read. And then there are just the everyday discussions. For example, my husband put up the tree yesterday and engaged our son in a discussion about what Christmas trees symbolize. They talked about instances they could remember in Scripture where trees are used to symbolize different things about our faith.
I try to pick and choose which elements of Christmas celebration to participate in based on how much they actually highlight Jesus. And then, when we do those things, we talk about God and his word!
I look forward to hearing ideas from others about how to make God's word a centerpiece during Advent!
"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." -Deuteronomy 6:6
I make an effort to choose Christmas ornaments that are Christian focused - so angels, the Nativity scene, stars. This way there are symbols all around the house to remind me and my family of the true meaning of the season. I also participate in the extra (much appreciated) church activities like the Women's advent service and this blog. (By the way, thank you Rachel for the blog approach. This way even when my schedule is crazy busy I can find a convenient time to study). I also look for opportunities to spend time with my Christian friends. After yesterday's wreath making session, the church ladies went out for lunch. Before eating we all said grace out loud at the diner (instead of my usual silent mumble). What a wonderfully uplifting and strengthening experience for me. I know that these are small steps but very vital for me.
We enjoy using an advent wreath, reading scripture during our family devotions, and having discussions about THE light of the world, Jesus, and the light WE are to be in the world. The kids always enjoy decorating our Jesus tree (a tree with no other ornaments but things that relate directly to Jesus) and singing Advent hymns.
I think it's delightful and neat and makes me feel connected how, (as my Bible's study notes reminded me) the golden lamp stands John refers to in Rev.1:12 and Jesus explains in 1:20 are to make our minds (as members of God's church) remember Jesus' words in Matthew 5:14-16. We are to walk as a child of the light. Thinking about Revelation and Advent on this first Sunday of the season, I'm singing that hymn even now (do y'all know it?) ...the lyrics are as follows:
1. I want to walk as a child of the light;
I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world;
the star of my life is Jesus.
Refrain
In him there is no darkness at all;
the night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God:
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
2. I want to see the brightness of God;
I want to look at Jesus.
Clear Sun of righteousness, shine on my path,
and show me the way to the Father.
3. I’m looking for the coming of Christ;
I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race,
we shall know the joy of Jesus.
Refrain
Thank you for sharing such great insights into how you and your family keep God's word front and centre in your homes! What may seem simple or commonplace in your home may inspire someone else in theirs.
I try to change it up a bit every year for both myself and my family. But the Advent wreath always remains a constant. And I have about 4 of those I rotate year to year - haha! I even have the one my Mom had given me for dorm life back in high school!
Along with the wreath, we've done different versions on the Jesse tree (is that different than the Jesus tree?). We've studied some familiar Christmas hymns. We've done an Advent chain. I bring out the Christmas books and keep them in a prominent spot. We do a "movie viewing" of the Nativity movie (once the kids were older), the Legend of the Candy Cane, etc.
As for myself, like thekey2u mentioned, taking advantage of Advent by Candlelight has been wonderful for my focus on Jesus. This book club (year 2!) keeps me on my toes, even when on vacation like I am now! Listening to all that good Christmas music out there to enjoy - this years new favourite - Keith and Krystin Getty's Irish Christmas. SO GOOD!!!!
Thanks, cre8ev for the "children of the light" insight. Love that hymn too!! Singing it with you:)
cre8ev, just wanted to let you know that I sang "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" last night as a bedtime song to my boys. I introduced it by telling them that at Christmastime so many of the decorations have lights, and that this song talks about the meaning behind those lights. I'll definitely keep using this song for several days, if not for all of Advent!
Post a Comment