Their Obedience Was Costly

December 19, 2013
Uncategorized
Their Obedience Was Costly
Kindly Pray for the Prayer Point at the end
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Today’s Scripture
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“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” – (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
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Thoughts for Today
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The Bible tells us about numerous people of faith who experienced persecution because they stood for God’s Truth. “Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated”(Hebrews 11:36-37).
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It would have been easy for these people to conform to the world’s pressures in order to escape persecution, but they remained obedient to God. Their obedience was costly, but they found strength in their faith and in God’s promises. We can find inspiration in their examples when we are confronted with the choice between obedience to God and conformity to the world.
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We may not face the same extreme obstacles that the people of the Bible experienced, or the violent persecution that people in many countries are enduring today. But we do feel deep rejection when a friend stops inviting us to social events because our godly behavior and demeanor set us apart. We do feel the pressure of a suffering career when we refuse to follow unethical business practices. We do feel harassed and humiliated when a co-worker makes us the subject of jokes and snide comments. We do feel tension when a neighbor criticizes Christianity or uses God’s name as a profanity.
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Prayer: Our Loving Heavenly Father, I am grateful that I am not faced with the extreme violent persecution that so many believers in other countries are dealing with today. I do struggle with feelings of rejection and pressure from unbelievers in my life. Help me in those moments to remember all of those who have gone before me and have stood strong in the face of persecution. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, In Jesus Loving Name I Pray, Amen.”
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Have a Blessed Thursday and God Bless you.
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In His Service,
Daily Dose Devotionals Team
“Encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13)
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Will you Pray for this
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Kindly Pray for the Prayer Point
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NIGER, WEST AFRICA
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According to a recent study by Save the Children, “Niger has made the greatest strides worldwide in reducing child mortality. Child mortality rates in Niger fell by almost two thirds because of government policies to curb hunger and poor healthcare.” Save the Children believes the government’s ability to provide free healthcare to pregnant women is largely responsible for the drop in child mortality.
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Praise God for the decline in child mortality in Niger!
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Pray for the government to continue to fight against food insecurity and improve healthcare.
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Pray for the Gospel to spread in Niger
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KYRGYZSTAN, CENTRAL ASIA
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According to Radio Free Europe, Tablighi Jamaat, a banned Islamic group, is “growing in popularity in Kyrgyzstan and recruiting children from poor families with promises of free Islamic education in Bangladesh.” Authorities are concerned that Tablighi Jamaat is a recruiting center and training ground for Islamic militants, similar to the Taliban.
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Pray for the Kyrgyzstan government to stand strong against the emergent Tablighi Jamaat movement.
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Pray for Tablighi Jamaat members to turn from Islam to a saving belief in Jesus Christ.
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Pray for the Gospel to spread throughout Kyrgyzstan
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IRAN, MIDDLE EAST
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The Iranian government sentenced four Christian Believers to eighty lashes for drinking communion wine. Although non-Muslims are allowed to drink alcohol, authorities still convicted the men because they violated Muslim law. According to a recent UN report on human rights violations in Iran, “Violations of the rights of Christians, particularly those belonging to evangelical Protestant groups, many of whom are converts, who proselytize to and serve Iranian Christians of Muslim background, continue to be reported.”
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Pray for religious freedom in Iran.
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Pray for government leaders to believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior.
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Ask God to shield His Church in Iran from oppression, persecution, and physical harm
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BURKINA FASO, WEST AFRICA
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The Church in Burkina Faso is experiencing rapid growth. Because of this growth, the Church struggles with a lack of leadership, financial problems, and an inability to disciple parishioners. In addition, the Church faces social pressure from the Muslim culture which surrounds them.
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Praise God for the advancement of the Gospel in Burkina Faso!
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Ask the Lord to provide for the monetary and physical needs of pastors and Christian workers.
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Pray for the Church to stand firm and not return to Islamic and idolatrous traditions
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