THE PERSECUTED...

Matthew 5: 10-11 says, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness's sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all  kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."  

How many of us have been truly persecuted for our faith in Jesus Christ?  Well, I guess that matters on how you define persecution.  We might have been made fun, but that's usually as far as it goes.  Most of us have never had to consider our family disowning us if we choose to follow Jesus.  And, none of us have had to consider giving up our life for our faith.  So, what do we know about persecution?  Not much, and I'm not sure if any of us will ever receive the blessing that comes from persecution.  "Theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  We are missing out on a great blessing and we are missing out on a depth of faith that we might not ever understand.  

Our friend SREY MOM, is growing in her faith.  She has told some of her co-workers that she believes in Jesus, and they are making fun of her.  Here most people believe in Buddha, because it is a part of their culture.  It is a part of being Cambodian.  Most families have believed in Buddha for generations and it's a part of who they are.  To not believe in Buddha might be considered shameful towards the family and within the society.  In a sense, it's like disowning one's own culture.  Srey Mom's family is Buddhist.  She has not told her family that she believes in Jesus yet, but I know that will be a tough bridge to cross for her.  Please pray that her family will be excepting of her new faith.  Please pray for salvation for her family.  Srey Mom lives with her younger sister right now.  Shiela and I have met her a few times.  Please pray that Srey Mom would gain a passion for her family to know Christ.

We are still searching for a Bible study group for her to meet with.  She just changed her hours at her job, so she now works in the morning.  She won't be able to attend church in the morning anymore, but she might be able to attend a Bible study in the evening.  Please pray that God will align that for her.  We met with Srey Mom last week, and she is still amazed how God has been drawing her to himself her whole life.  She remembers times when she was a little girl, hearing about Jesus.  I'm amazed, myself!!!  Different people have planted seeds in her life, and the harvest has come!  Again, please pray for God to really strengthen her faith, so when persecution comes she will be sure of who she believes in.