Political/ World Issues- "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:"

Pray for Families of Women Killed for Faith

   May. 09, 2014 | Middle East

"On April 30 and May 1, three Christian women were killed in separate incidents by Muslim family members. A 38-year-old woman was shot to death by her two brothers shortly after they learned that she had been talking with a missionary over Skype and that she had a Bible. In a second incident, a man stabbed to death his 22-year-old sister when he caught her with a Christian CD. The woman had previously talked with her brother about Jesus. The man left his sister's body in front of a hospital before seeking treatment for his own hand wound at a government hospital. In the third incident, a man beat his daughter to death by hitting her on the head with a stone. He turned himself over to police and confessed to the killing, knowing that he probably would not face serious punishment. He reportedly told police that his daughter had continued to attend church despite his warnings. Please pray for those impacted by the women's deaths, their fellow believers, friends and loved ones. Please also pray for those leading this group of believers during this very difficult time."
Taken exclusively from the Voice of the Martyrs (www.persecution.com)

This is only one of many examples of the persecution that is being faced daily by Christian around the world. However, this particularly gripped my heart. So I wanted to share it with you as well. Honestly, I cannot quite fathom this completely- growing up in a Christian home, in a country, much blessed by religious freedom. My family, too, knows Christ. I am learning more and more, of the extremely precious value in this and yet how uncommon it is. Truly, I am blessed beyond words. So many only experience severe persecution or even death, from their relatives and others also, after converting to Christianity.

It is a relatively simple thing to say- we are willing to die for Christ. But it is another to live it. And although you may never have the opportunity to be literally "martyred" for the name of Christ, as these three women were, can you still say honestly that "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;" (Romans 1:16)? And yes, I used the word opportunity. I thank the Lord for the encouragement in seeing others willing to sacrifice themselves for Christ. And though, I am not in a similar place, I desire also, to have this same heart. And yet, it would seem beyond ironic to say "I am willing to die for the name of Christ"...if we are not also willing to live for that same name. And so I challenge you. To be a laid-down life. To be a consecrated heart towards God. To live for Him, who died for us. He is worthy.

"Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." (Hebrews 13:3)