- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
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- 17,520
22 February 2008
Word on the Web
John 15 v 26 - 16 v 4a
"I will send you the Helper from the Father; he is the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father. When he comes, he will tell about me, and you also must tell people about me, because you have been with me from the beginning.
"I have told you these things to keep you from giving up. People will put you out of their synagogues. Yes, the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are offering service to God. They will do this because they have not known the Father and they have not known me. I have told you these things now so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you.
I , thankfully, have never felt that my life was in danger because of being a Christian, but there are many in the world for whom life is very dangerous because of their faith in Christ. Or at the least, their social standing, and opportunities for upward mobility are virtually non-existent because of their faith. For some this means being unable to meet with other Christians, and as I meet with Christian friends or go to church on a Sunday, I try not to take this for granted.
We know by reading the rest of the New Testament that after Jesus' death and resurrection, many of his followers were persecuted. But Jesus encourages his followers not to give up, because he will send a "Helper" - the Holy Spirit to sustain them in difficult times. The Spirit not only gives strength, but reveals Jesus to people ("he will tell about me"), which I find really encouraging, because it reminds me that Jesus does not demand that I make people believe in him: it takes a work of the Holy Spirit in them to show them the truth about Jesus. However, that does not let us off the hook! For Jesus also says "for you also must tell people about me".
Who have you told about Jesus recently? Try and find an opportunity to do this in the next few days.
Dear Lord, strengthen anyone today who is trying to follow you in difficult circumstances, whether that be a Christian in fear for their lives, or someone feeling isolated, being made fun of for being brave enough to call themselves your follower. Amen.
Written by Debbie Orriss
Word on the Web
John 15 v 26 - 16 v 4a
"I will send you the Helper from the Father; he is the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father. When he comes, he will tell about me, and you also must tell people about me, because you have been with me from the beginning.
"I have told you these things to keep you from giving up. People will put you out of their synagogues. Yes, the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are offering service to God. They will do this because they have not known the Father and they have not known me. I have told you these things now so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you.
I , thankfully, have never felt that my life was in danger because of being a Christian, but there are many in the world for whom life is very dangerous because of their faith in Christ. Or at the least, their social standing, and opportunities for upward mobility are virtually non-existent because of their faith. For some this means being unable to meet with other Christians, and as I meet with Christian friends or go to church on a Sunday, I try not to take this for granted.
We know by reading the rest of the New Testament that after Jesus' death and resurrection, many of his followers were persecuted. But Jesus encourages his followers not to give up, because he will send a "Helper" - the Holy Spirit to sustain them in difficult times. The Spirit not only gives strength, but reveals Jesus to people ("he will tell about me"), which I find really encouraging, because it reminds me that Jesus does not demand that I make people believe in him: it takes a work of the Holy Spirit in them to show them the truth about Jesus. However, that does not let us off the hook! For Jesus also says "for you also must tell people about me".
Who have you told about Jesus recently? Try and find an opportunity to do this in the next few days.
Dear Lord, strengthen anyone today who is trying to follow you in difficult circumstances, whether that be a Christian in fear for their lives, or someone feeling isolated, being made fun of for being brave enough to call themselves your follower. Amen.
Written by Debbie Orriss
