As you watch the video embedded above, please think of signing the petition to save Saeed.
In America, we have an immense blessing to have the freedom of religion so that we are not in fear of going to prison for our beliefs. But do we really understand how other countries feel about faith and belief in Christ?
We, Americans, read the Old Testament and think that we are so thankful that we don’t have to live a life filled with persecution as the followers of Christ did during that time. We take for granted the freedom we have to sing his praises, to attend a church, to openly say that we are follower of Christ. We take for granted so much of the blessings we have had in this country. We don’t stop to think of what the person in another city, state, or country feels or goes through because our lives tend to revolve around us. What a small, empty, little world to have.
In other countries, the stories in the Old Testament and New Testament about persecution still exist and happen today. Saeed is an example of an American who lives to spread the Gospel and is being persecuted for his belief and profession of faith. He is being beaten, he feels forgotten, he is holding on to the hope that God will come through for him — God can use you to free him! Save Saeed and Sign the Petition. Can you image being a fly on the wall when the same men who beat Saeed hear his words of forgiveness and love toward him as a fellow human. Can you see the tears flowing from their eyes as they follow orders to continue to beat Saeed. Can you feel the pain and see the sacrifice? Can you see God’s purpose in all of this? God can use Saeed’s love and forgiving heart to share His Good News – Saeed will receive his reward and God will destroy his enemies.
Others who give their lives to Christ in other countries realize that the decision means that they will no longer be accepted by their families and they must leave the tribe. They are homeless with no where to turn to except their faith in Christ. Other countries must hold secret churches so that the Word of God is spread among the nations. People are persecuted for carrying a Bible. They are slashed, beaten, slandered, cursed, and killed because they believe in Christ. Yet, they did so in an act of faith. They know that God is with them and will avenge them. They hold on to that promise.
Are you an individual who has found comfort in staying at home at a secret Christian? Are you an individual who has found comfort in sitting in a pew or seat at your local church gaining knowledge on what you and everyone else should do but never going out and sharing your knowledge with others? God has a purpose for you. I, too, sat in my chair at church or at home because I was too tired to go and just prayed for the hungry to be feed, for the naked to be clothed, for the thirsty to get a drink, and for the persecuted to be safe. It is time that we do something that reflects our heart. Is our heart into following Christ, even unto death? Is our heart willing to go anywhere that we are called? Is our heart willing to act in a weird way if we are lead to because someone has spoken to God “If you are real then someone will stand on their head and sing Mary Had a Little Lamb in the third row.” God has a plan for you, find what He has called you to and do it. Is our heart willing to sign a petition to save a life? Save Saeed and Sign the Petition
For those who are reading this in other countries who are facing, have faced, or will face persecution because of your faith in Christ Jesus, please know that we are praying for you, God is sending people to you in His time, and God will avenge you because you have suffered in His name. He loves you, and, though I have never meet you, I love you in the faith. May God bless you and keep you and let His face shine upon you.
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1 Peter 4:12 -Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Revelation 2:10 – Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
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“View That Never Cease, To Keep Me From Myself” by We Came As Romans
I am so far away
And it’s more than I can take
I haven’t heard your voice in days
I haven’t heard your voice in days
What is the measure of a man?
Is it wading through the worst?
Or is the measure of a man
Admitting when he is defeated?
But I am not and will not be defeated
I have given everything in my life for this
I’m counting down the days
Though I’ve been broken down and beaten
I know I can’t let it, I know I can’t let it win
This feeling that there is nothing left
That my purpose is gone
These views, they never cease
To keep me from myself and who I am
So what makes the measure of a man?
Is it being too stubborn to let go of the good and move on?
But I am not and will not be defeated
I will wade through the worst of it all
I’m counting down the days
Though I’ve been broken down and beaten
I am not done with this
I know I will not fall
This is my deepest dream
Or is this a nightmare in disguise?
What makes the measure of a man?
Is it always trying to do right?
I’m’ so far away
And I don’t know if it’s more than I can take
With these views, that never cease to keep me from myself
With these views, they never cease to keep me from myself
I will keep moving forward when I have nothing left
I am not and will not be defeated
I’ve given everything in my life for this
But I am not and will not be defeated
I’ve given everything in my life for this
Anna's One Life 