--"Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.
"But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven."
--(Matthew 10:32-33)--

--Every person is required to confess Jesus, individually. Some say, "All of my family have been Christians, so I am
also a Christian. No, my friend. Jesus wants each person to make that decision personally. There are countries
where people are dying for the sake of Jesus and His Word. It must be individually. Many have forsaken their
family to deny themselves and follow Jesus. Below is a true story. Yes, you may lose friends, family members, etc.
That is why Jesus said, "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me;
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
"He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it."-
--(Matthew 10:37-39)
A Christian is known by their lifestyle, words, actions, etc. "You will know them by their fruit." -((Matthew 7:16-20)
There is a changed person, to those who come to Christ.
If that person has not changed, then I question if he/she has truly been 'born-again'. --(See John 3:3-8)


--'Small but Significant'

--"On Him we have set our hope that He will
-continue to deliver us, as you help us by your
-prayers."
--(2 Corinthians 1:10–11)

The day started out like any other, but it ended as a nightmare. Esther (not her real name) and several hundred women were kidnapped from their boarding school by a religious militant group. A month later all were released—except for Esther who refused to deny Christ. As my friend and I read about her and others who are being persecuted for their faith, our hearts were moved. We wanted to do something. But what?

When writing to the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul shared about the trouble he experienced in the province of Asia. The persecution was so severe that he and his companions “despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8). However, Paul was helped by the prayers of believers (v. 11). Though the Corinthian church was many miles away from the apostle, their prayers mattered and God heard them. Herein lies an amazing mystery: the sovereign One has chosen to use our prayers to accomplish His purpose. What a privilege!

Today we can continue to remember our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering for their faith.. There’s something we can do. We can pray for those who are marginalized, oppressed, beaten, tortured, and sometimes even killed for their belief in Christ. Let’s pray for them to experience God’s comfort and encouragement and to be strengthened with hope as they stand firmly with Jesus.

By/ODB/PFC--/--"The Change In Me" / Casting Crowns~ / -<https://youtu.be/p8TCZiy5A2A>
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