Persecution

They were stoning Stephen as he called out: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin!" And saying this, he fell asleep. Saul (later to be named Paul when he turned to Christ) agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Juea and Samaria. Acts 7:59-8:1

Stephen was the first martyr . He was not the first to testify about Christ before the Sanhedrin. Peter and John went before him. Yet the enemy of his souls had been building bigotry amongst those who opposed the gospel and he was the first of many to be persecuted for his faith.

We in the west do not experience this, praise God, but we have near neighbours who are. We see stories about hose persecuted in China and lately I saw that Christians in North Korea were been shot. There are many countries where God's people face persecution and we should pray for them.

For us Western Christians the most attacks we have are from our hidden enemy determined to destroy out faith through every wile at his hand.  If he cannot destroy us through our childhood and abuse by others he will then begin to attack our present with deception and temptation.

Remember it is Satan who hates the Christian message and who will use anyone or anything at his disposal to destroy. Be on your guard but know you have a Holy Spirit residing inside who will guide, convict and comfort when we turn to Him. Allow him to be all He is capable of being for you. Amen!