Just minding my own business. That is all I do. Keep to myself and never bother anyone. Okay, you know me better than that!
So, I was walking back to my car after doing some exercising. A lady wearing headphones happened to be walking by my car at the same time. I asked her, “Are you born again? Are you saved?†She didn’t respond. I wasn’t sure she heard me. Typically, I follow up by saying something like, “I want to see you in heaven one day,†or “Make sure you are right with Jesus,â€Â or something along those lines. She just kept walking. No big deal. That can happen when you are out and about trying to chat people up.
About four or five minutes later, I heard a voice coming from across the street saying, “Hey.†I didn’t look up. I was tired from exercising! Then I heard it again. It was the same lady. She stared at me, flipped me the bird, and said, “Don’t you ever speak to me again!†And here I was thinking we were becoming buddies, and it took a turn like that! I replied back, “No. I talk with everyone, and, of course, we have first amendment rights here.†We were in a public park of all places! Then she proceeded to give me the bird a second time! I kindly let her know to use a different finger the next time we meet!
She was a semi-older lady who seemed nice, or so I thought. But you never quite know how interactions will go with people.
2 Timothy 3:12
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
That verse has always intrigued me. Persecution goes with the territory for those who stand for Jesus Christ.
There have been some interesting goings-on taking place in Afghanistan. The following quotes by Rex Rogers of the Christian Post and an underground pastor with Global Catalytic Ministries show what is actually happening over:
“We’re hearing from reliable sources that the Taliban demand people’s phones, and if they find a downloaded Bible on your device, they will kill you immediately,” Rogers said.
“The people must mark their house with an ‘X’ if they have a girl over 12 years old, so that the Taliban can take them. If they find a young girl and the house was not marked, they will execute the entire family,” the statement added. “If a married woman 25 years old or older has been found, the Taliban promptly kill her husband, do whatever they want to her, and then sell her as a sex slave.â€Â
These statements are coming from the underground church in Afghanistan. As long as they are accurate, it describes real persecution. It’s the true face of evil showing its murderous hatred of Christians.
Acts 17:32
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
Mocking is no fun. A lady giving you the bird is no fun. But let’s not mix that up with the real persecution going on in the world for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Many times, especially in some Western societies, we tend to think of mocking or inconvenience as persecution, when it really is not. Suppression, maybe. True persecution? Not even close. Keep your life and the events that happen in life in their proper perspective.
If you are not suffering much persecution in your life, be thankful. Life can turn on a dime. The political climate in our nation is changing rapidly. Tyranny and persecution can arrive on our doorsteps very quickly. Keep praying for your brothers and sisters in Christ who are taking a very bold stand for Jesus and who refuse to back down.
Until the Nets are Full,
P.S.
 