Hebrews 13: 3 (ESV) tells us Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. The book of Hebrews seems very clearly to be a sermon but is it a model for all sermons? Christ is the essence of the message and once that has been proclaimed, the listeners are encouraged in various ways. This is my personal belief but not the topic of this post.
Certainly I must have a weak constitution in some ways. News items of suffering affect me to varying degrees. Many times, I will arrive at work and open the newspaper before the day starts, and come across a news story that temporarily incapacitates me. A stronger Christian may be able to compartmentalize this knowing full well that Christ has everything under control, even though I believe this also!
It's my hope that this is what forms my political beliefs. I don't believe that the leftist agenda will help anyone but those who gain power through it. In fact, it is a recipe for more suffering! My passion in the political arena is for the people of this nation and the world or I have failed miserably. Back to this verse from Hebrews, It was said by Tertullian that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. I need to look no further than my own life to see that prosperity draws me away from where I should be.
This is our nature. Christians around the world are suffering in ways Americans can hardly imagine. These brothers and sisters in Christ should never be far from our minds. Even in America, Christians are mistreated because of their faith. Some suffer from family that disparages them for their belief, some are ridiculed at their workplace. It's not a stretch to say that if their is no mistreatment or persecution in a Christian's life, then something is not right. Missionaries have forsaken a life of comfort that might have been theirs had they not chosen to serve Christ. They are the true heroes! Voice Of The Martyrs (http://www.persecution.com/) is a ministry started by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand who suffered persecution in a Communist prison for 14 years.
It would be well worth it to add this site to your favorites and keep abreast of Christians around the world that are suffering for their faith at this very minute. My occasional attempts at humor are but needed respites from the realities of this world and the true nature of the pilgrimage we are on. Even so, I let those in need of prayer down all too often. Should the book of Hebrews indeed be a model that pastors should fashion their sermons after, we should take very seriously the addition of this command to Remember those who are in prison...
Certainly I must have a weak constitution in some ways. News items of suffering affect me to varying degrees. Many times, I will arrive at work and open the newspaper before the day starts, and come across a news story that temporarily incapacitates me. A stronger Christian may be able to compartmentalize this knowing full well that Christ has everything under control, even though I believe this also!
It's my hope that this is what forms my political beliefs. I don't believe that the leftist agenda will help anyone but those who gain power through it. In fact, it is a recipe for more suffering! My passion in the political arena is for the people of this nation and the world or I have failed miserably. Back to this verse from Hebrews, It was said by Tertullian that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. I need to look no further than my own life to see that prosperity draws me away from where I should be.
This is our nature. Christians around the world are suffering in ways Americans can hardly imagine. These brothers and sisters in Christ should never be far from our minds. Even in America, Christians are mistreated because of their faith. Some suffer from family that disparages them for their belief, some are ridiculed at their workplace. It's not a stretch to say that if their is no mistreatment or persecution in a Christian's life, then something is not right. Missionaries have forsaken a life of comfort that might have been theirs had they not chosen to serve Christ. They are the true heroes! Voice Of The Martyrs (http://www.persecution.com/) is a ministry started by Pastor Richard Wurmbrand who suffered persecution in a Communist prison for 14 years.
It would be well worth it to add this site to your favorites and keep abreast of Christians around the world that are suffering for their faith at this very minute. My occasional attempts at humor are but needed respites from the realities of this world and the true nature of the pilgrimage we are on. Even so, I let those in need of prayer down all too often. Should the book of Hebrews indeed be a model that pastors should fashion their sermons after, we should take very seriously the addition of this command to Remember those who are in prison...
