“Why Must I Suffer?”: In this latest Guest Post, Grace Church Leader Joe Leach explores the experience human suffering and finding comfort in a God who understands that suffering… The question of suffering is not an academic one. It is, in fact, a question that any worldview must provide some kind of answer to. And […]
Truth be known, life does sometimes feel like a desert. This might be in a lack-lustre period of your career, retirement or bereavement. It could be in terms of feeling unfulfilled in relationships with others and especially felt keenly if you feel God is distant at a time when you feel a real need of […]
The bloom of youth is a lovely thing to see but what about when it begins to fade? All living beings are touched by the passing of time – the petals will fall, the energy will get less and the wrinkles will come.
We tend to get into denial with fitness regimes, special diets, vitamin supplements and more expensive toys. Apparently the new 30 is 40 and 60 has become 70!
If you take a long look at this lamb, you will find yourself thinking all sorts of things. You might be struck by its innocence, its powerlessness or you may wonder about its future. This lamb has not done anything wrong, it has no defences or weapon and it may end up on someone’s plate as a favoured dish before it ever gets to be a mature sheep. Does it not strike you as extraordinary that the Most Mighty One to walk this planet Earth was called ‘The Lamb of God’? This lamb is associated with meekness not with majesty, with the Will of man rather than the Will of God. To understand why Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is called ‘The Lamb of God’ it’s necessary to consult both the Old Testament and the New – once truly understood never truly forgotten. Why a lamb rather than a sheep? A sheep is reared for its wool but a tender lamb gives its life.
From the beginning, Christians have been persecuted for having faith in Jesus Christ. Today, Open Doors estimated that over 215 million are facing high levels of persecution. Jesus himself tells us, ‘If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also’ – John 15:20. So the oppression against Christians is no surprise to Jesus but every slight, injustice and cruelty against you matters to him: ‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven’ – Matthew 5:11-12.
Sadly, persecution is everywhere and is here to stay until the Lord Jesus returns – it may be subtle or flagrant but it is very real.
‘Christians are being persecuted, not just in the Middle East but here in this country’ – Wendy Long (American Attorney).
