JULY 14, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART
- Pastor Tony Pierce
- Jul 14
- 2 min read
JULY 14 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: LUKE 6:27-36
How will we deal with it when suffering and persecution comes? We have examples like Polycarp, who when asked to denounce Christ, would not and even used that occasion before being burned at the stake to praise the Lord and testify to His faithfulness. Each one of the Apostles of Christ died a martyr's death at the hands of the authorities who hated Christ and the Gospel. The early church met secretly in caves to avoid persecution, but even still, when caught were taken to the arenas to be tortured, fed to the wild animals. Their deaths, because of their faith, were made sport of by a godless people who hated Christ. The Bible says of these martyrs, "that the world is not worthy of them."
You say, oh that was then and this is now...we don't have to worry about such persecution. I would encourage you to go online to, "The Voice Of The Martyrs.” What you will find is that even today, when this world is supposed to be so advanced and enlightened from that of the ancient world, that our Christian brothers and sisters are being persecuted and murdered for their faith in Christ Jesus. Open your eyes, biblical Christianity is under attack from every direction...and soon our message will be outlawed. Soon it may cost us everything in order to follow Christ.
Which brings me to the question, "How will we respond when the persecution comes?" Each time the world has attacked the church, the church has actually grown. In persecution the church is awakened out of its slumber, reminded that our faith is our life. The Holy Spirit moves through a receptive church...trials, tribulation and persecution draw us back to the place of total dependence on Christ. I believe there is a great revival coming, where many souls will be saved. However, it won't come as a result of prosperity, but rather persecution. Time to get ready church...time to put on the full armor of God...time to begin anticipating a powerful move of God's Spirit in the church!
Please share your thoughts.
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