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Matthew 5:10-11 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
DAILY READING John 15:1-16:4; 2 Chronicles 23; Psalm 80
Perpetua was a young noblewoman who was martyred with her maid named Felicitas in A.D. 203, under the Roman emperor Severus.
Perpetua lived with her husband, her son, and her maid, Felicitas, in Carthage (in modern Tunis), at a time when North Africa was the center of vibrant Christianity.
But things drastically changed when Emperor Septimius Severus felt Christianity was undermining the authority of the Roman empire in the region and so he began arresting Christians.
Perpetua, her friends and Felicitas were arrested with other Christians and thrown into prison. While she was in prison, Perpetua kept a diary and in it she described how her father came to see her and passionately entreated her to save herself by denying she was a Christian.
Though Perpetua was touched, yet refused to deny Jesus. On the day of the hearing before the governor, Perpetua’s father carried her little son in his arms and pleaded with her, to have pity on her baby and on him and recant her Christian belief.
But Perpetua still refused. And so she, her friends, and Felicitas were thrown into an arena to be devoured by wild beasts. When the animals couldn’t kill them, they were then all lined up, and slain by the sword.
The story of Perpetua was made famous because she wrote about the circumstances leading up to their death in a diary that was later published as “The Passion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity.” It was one of the earliest writings by a Christian woman.
The history of Christianity is filled with inspiring stories of people who are immortalized for refusing to compromise their beliefs.
The courage and deadly dedication of these early Christians should greatly challenge us and make us relentless in our commitment to Christ.
While we may not face extreme physical persecutions, yet we will often face spiritual persecutions from the enemy as he tempts and tries to get us to compromise our faith.
Problems of life can also be used to try our faith as we are often tempted to accept solutions that will lead to lowering our Christian standards.
While some people would do desperate things just to get out of the fire, those who truly know their God will always say to Nebuchadnezzar ‘we will not bow’.
At all times, we must refuse to sell out in the face of trials.
No matter the tribulation or persecution, we must always remain faithful and continue to choose to please God in every situation.
Our commitment as Christians cannot be complete until we come to the decision to serve God totally and be sold out to His cause. When we put God first in our lives, He will place us first in His priorities. Truly, our choice for dedication today will guarantee our distinction tomorrow.
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to always make You my greatest priority in life. Please enable me to follow the path of righteousness even when it seems difficult. Thank You for causing me to triumph always in Jesus Name.
QUOTE
When you make God your priority, God automatically makes you priority in His own plan. – WORDBITE 222.
Shalom!
@GOODHEART- EKWUEME .
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