persecution

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We all endure exhausting and discouraging seasons. How can we rejuvenate our souls when the climb ahead of us feels insurmountable? Thankfully, as today’s guest relays, if we’ve trusted in Christ for salvation, we can also trust that we’ll never take one step alone.

Hope for the Spiritually Weary

by Kathy Howard

My husband and I enjoy spending time on St John, the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands. However, getting there is not easy. It requires planes, taxis, and a ferry. But weary travelers are rewarded with incredible beauty and the peace that comes from smaller crowds. We wanted to share our favorite island paradise with our kids and grandkids, so a few years ago we arranged a family trip. Our group of thirteen ranged in age from almost three to sixty-three.

They exhibited a lot of excitement on the first leg of the trip. But by the time we changed planes in Miami, then landed in St. Thomas, where we endured a long wait for our luggage even the most travel-hardy among us were weary. And of course, the little ones just wanted it to be over.

Wayne and I tried to energize them with descriptions of the sunsets and stories about our favorite beaches and snorkeling trips. While our efforts didn’t accomplish a complete makeover, it did bolster them enough to finish the journey. By the end of the vacation they all declared they would do it again!

The Jewish Christians who first received the letter we know today as “Hebrews” were “road weary.” Following Jesus had led them into some painful, difficult places. Although they had not yet died for their faith, they had endured public reproach, imprisonment, and the confiscation of their property. Due to this persecution, they were considering abandoning their faith in Jesus and returning to Judaism. So the author of Hebrews harshly warned them that if they rejected Jesus they would not find salvation in the Jewish faith (Hebrews 10:26-31). The Law of Moses only revealed sin, it could not cleanse it. 

Then the author followed the warning with an exhortation to hold onto their faith in Christ. He asked them to remember what they’d already endured and urged them to keep an eternal focus. He also encouraged them to patience. God might seem slow to deliver, but if they persevered, the Messiah would return and bring justice. The earthly hardships would soon pass, but the spiritual benefits would last forever.

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 NASB

The author also reminded them of their joy in the face of past suffering (Hebrews 10:34). Although seemingly counterintuitive, we see this spiritual principle throughout Scripture. For instance, Peter described suffering for Christ as a blessing and privilege because the “Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:14). Persecution in this life for the name of Christ makes us partners with Him in His suffering and means we will share in His glory in the life to come (1 Peter 4:13).

Like those first century Jewish Christians, too often our fear of persecution outweighs our joy of anticipation. But we must not become discouraged and turn back. Suffering is temporary, but the reward is eternal. Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and our focus on eternity. One day our temporary suffering will yield to unimaginable blessing.

This post was adapted from Kathy’s new devotional book “Deep Rooted: Growing through the Book of Hebrews.”

About the author: 

Kathy Howard is a treasure hunter. She hunts for the creamiest chocolate, richest coffee, and cherished stories of faith. She also digs deep into Scripture, mining God’s eternal truths. Kathy has a Masters in Christian Education and has taught the Bible for more than 30 years in a wide variety of venues. Kathy is the author of 14 books, including “Heirloom: Living and Leaving a Legacy of Faith” and the “meaty” devotional series “Deep Rooted.” Kathy and her husband live in north Texas. They have three married children and six grandchildren. Find free discipleship resources at www.KathyHoward.org.

About her Devotional:

Are you spiritually exhausted? Following Jesus can be hard. Discouragement, difficulties, and defeat often wear us down. So, why bother? The book of Hebrews answers that question. This 40-day devotional journey provides encouragement to run our race of faith with endurance and reminds us that our Savior is far superior to anything and everything the world can offer.

Like the rest of the Deep Rooted devotional series, the Hebrews volume uses the 4-R Bible study framework to help you learn how to interact with and respond to Scripture, not simply read it. These meaty, daily devotions will increase your hunger for God’s Word, encourage spiritual growth and stability, and lay the groundwork for a life-long, spiritually-healthy habit.

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

The “NASB,” “NAS,” “New American Standard Bible,” and “New American Standard,” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by The Lockman Foundation. Use of these trademarks requires the permission of The Lockman Foundation.

Recognizing and Breaking Free from Harmful Relationships – Faith Over Fear

In this episode of Faith Over Fear, Jennifer Slattery welcomes Christian counselor and author Dr. Kris Reece for a candid conversation about toxic relationships, manipulation, people-pleasing, and the confusion many believers experience when love becomes unhealthy and emotionally draining. Dr. Kris shares insights from her experience in a narcissistic marriage and as a clinician and explains why unhealthy relationship patterns can be difficult to recognize, especially for those who have spent years trying to earn approval, keep the peace, or carry responsibility for others. Together, Jennifer and Kris explore what Scripture teaches about guarding our hearts, setting healthy boundaries, and identifying fear-driven motivations. Listeners will learn how to discern the difference between Christ-led love and unhealthy self-sacrifice, find freedom from people-pleasing, and pursue relationships marked by wisdom, peace, and truth. Resource Discussed: Breaking the Narcissist's Grip: A Christian’s Guide to Cutting the Strings of Manipulation, Setting Boundaries That Stick, and Reclaiming Your Life From Takers by Kris Reece (Author) Scriptures Discussed Psalm 34:18 Proverbs 4:23 2 Timothy 3:1–5 2 Corinthians 10:5 1 John 4:18 2 Corinthians 9:7 Matthew 5:37 Galatians 1:10 Psalm 139:23–24 Connect with Dr. Kris Reece: On her website On Instagram On Facebook On YouTube Follow her work on Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
  1. Recognizing and Breaking Free from Harmful Relationships
  2. From Bondage to Abundance: One Woman's Testimony About Learning to Live Free
  3. How God Helps Us Get to and Resolve the Root of Our Anxiety
  4. Calm Anxiety and Overwhelm Through Time With Christ
  5. Break Free from Shame: Carol McCracken’s Story of Freedom and Restoration

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When we lived in Southern California, a massive fire ravished the San Gabriel mountains, destroying 1,000 homes and forcing many to evacuate. Rumor had it the fire was started by a cigarette casually flicked. Others said the fire was started by an arsonist. Regardless the source, the initial spark turned exponential until it devoured 90,000 acres, becoming the largest fire San Bernadino County had ever seen.

Fire is a powerful thing. When fed, it grows to unquenchable proportions, its heat radiating for miles. We’ve all heard stories of raging forest fires started by a single match. I’m sure we’ve also all experienced the frustration of trying to set kindling ablaze.

I’ve been on a handful camping trips, and try as I might, I can barely ignite a few measly twigs. I’ll use matches, gasoline and crumpled paper. I’ll blow and fan the air. I’ve tried leaves and straw, which initially catches only to smolder into a puff of black smoke. What’s the difference between my efforts and the 2004 forest fire that raged through Southern California?

Both started with a spark, yet one grew while the other dwindled. The difference, I believe, is the forest was ripe, ready to combust. We’d had little water and intense heat, so it didn’t take much to set the trees ablaze. Then came the wind, fueling the flames with a steady supply of oxygen until the entire forest blazed.

This image came to mind when I read 2 Timothy 1:6. “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”

Paul tells Timothy to “fan into flames” the spiritual gift God gave him.

In essence, Paul was saying, “Lay it all on the line, Timothy. Don’t let anything hold you back from full surrender. When others pull away, step up. Burn like a wildfire!”

Note, he wrote this letter to Timothy, a man Paul loved like a son, from a prison cell. During a time of extreme persecution, when many might’ve been tempted to slip into hiding, Paul told Timothy to step it up.

I believe God is calling us to do the same. If we’ve accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, we’ve got the spark of the Holy Spirit burning within us. But our heart is much like the trees in a forest. We share the same flame, but some trees are more combustible than others. Some are doused in flame retardants (sin, distractions, and all those temporary fillers that steal our time and dull our hearts), others are ready to ignite.

What’s your heart like? Is it prepared to be set on fire or have you allowed it to smolder? If the latter is true, will you fan your heart and your gifts into flames?

Each time we draw near to God, each time we dig into His Word and spend time in heart-felt prayer, each time we use the gifts He gives to serve others, our flame grows. Every time we squelch our flame with sin, selfishness, and those temporary fillers that distract us from our true need, our tiny flame smolders.

The match is lit. Let it burn, my friend!

Let’s talk about this!

Join us at Living by Grace as we talk about fanning into flame our gifts and our heart so we can live on fire for Christ.

I’d love to hear from you. What do you think it means to fan our spiritual gifts into flames? What are some practical steps we can take to ignite our passion for Christ? What are those things that “douse” our passion?

Oh, and I almost forgot! Barbjan (who entered by subscribing) won a free copy of Eileen Rife’s novel, Second Chance! I’ll contact you by email to get your address soon!

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About a month ago, while prepping me for a root canal, the dental hygienist and I began talking about youth group mission trips. Our family had recently returned from El Salvador (you can read about our trip here) and were anxious to go back. After listening to me share all the things my daughter learned on our trip, things she couldn’t have learned any other way, the woman said, “I’d love for my daughter to go on a mission trip, but…” Then she went on to explain all the reasons she felt her child couldn’t go. Basically, she expanded on fears every parent feels before releasing their child into God’s hands.

While reading 2 Timothy, I reviewed our conversation and thought about my own parenting. Thinking of all the fears I have as a mom, of all the ways I try to shelter our daughter, I had to ask myself a difficult question: Am I teaching fear or faith? Because as I shared a while back in When is Helping Hurting, everything we do as parents forms attitudes and creates habits. We can tout the verses, verses like “offer your body as a living sacrifice…” and “carry your cross daily…” or “but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it…” But if our actions don’t mirror our words–if we create barriers instead of launching pads–they mean little.

In 2 Timothy chapter 1, Paul, Timothy’s spiritual father, demonstrated what it means to train faith, not fear. Writing from a prison cell, with scars, and perhaps even open wounds, marring his body, having been beaten again and again for his faith, he told Timothy to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave him. Not to hide out in fear and self-preservation, but to be bold and courageous, moving forward in the power, love, and self-discipline God provided.

Now take a moment to place yourself in Timothy’s position. You and Paul parted in tears, not knowing if Paul would be brutally murdered, beaten near death, or released. And now, during a time of extreme persecution, Christians are hiding in homes to avoid martyrdom and your leader, the man you’ve come to love as a dear father, sits in a dark, damp prison cell. And what does Paul tell you to do?

“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.” 2 Timothy 1:8

Timothy, do not be ashamed. Don’t be afraid, but be prepared to suffer with me. Lay it all on the line, even your very life, for the sake of the gospel and the One who defeated death when He died on the cross.

And now I ask you, are you teaching fear or faith?

Join us at Living by Grace where we’re talking about tangible ways we can train faith, not fear, in our children.