Dearly beloved,
Are you dying to live, living to die or both? Death is a daily occurrence in our world as 152,000 people took their breath yesterday. The same number today and every day!
Do these stats surprise you, shock you or both? (They are our brothers and sisters.)
“An estimated 100,000 Christians are killed each year around the world solely because of their faith. Daily, 273 die, which translates into about 11 each hour. And those numbers don’t even include those who are “tortured, imprisoned, exiled, threatened, excluded, attacked and discriminated against on a widespread scale,” – John McAreavey.
But torture, imprisonment and death were common for the early disciples of Jesus. Tacitus an historian in first century Rome said:
“Besides being put to death, the Christians were made to serve as objects of amusement. They were clothed in the hides of beasts and torn to death by dogs. Others were crucified. Others were set on fire to serve to illuminate the night when daylight failed. Nero had thrown open his grounds for the display and was putting on a show and a circus where he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer and drove about in his chariot. All this gave rise to a feeling of pity, for it was felt that they—the Christians—were being destroyed not for the public good but to gratify the cruelty of an individual.”
The Apostle Paul is in prison in the city of Rome, facing trial, knowing he’s going to be executed for his faith in Christ. So, he writes a letter to the church in Philippi, and tells them, “This is what I believe: to live is Christ and to die is gain.” This is a man facing execution. What does he mean and what are the implications for you and me? I hope you join us this Sunday and meditate on Phil. 1:19-26.
Kelsey Patterson went to be with the Lord yesterday. There will be a celebration of his life at Valley Church a week from Saturday on March 4th at 2:00 pm. Kelsey was “one of a kind” and we will miss his servant’s heart. Please continue to lift up the entire family.
Because He lives,
Glen