Better Husbands
Better Fathers
Better Followers of Jesus
Better Men
- Nate Whitson -
Here in the United States, we have it pretty good as followers of Jesus.
Sure, the darkness is closing in and we see evidence of the devil's work in ever-increasing ways all around us.
But, overall, we don't feel the major effects of religious persecution like so many of our brothers and sisters around the world do.
I bring this up because we need to be more aware of what our family in Christ is facing and going through.
According to Open Doors Watch List, Christian persecution is at all-time highs. Did you know that in 2024 alone:
- 4,476 Christians were murdered
- 7,679 church properties were attacked
- 4,744 Christians were imprisoned for their faith in Jesus
Consider this verse from Galatians 6:2:
"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Here's what I want you to consider today as you think of our brothers being killed, imprisoned, beaten, and jailed:
How would you feel if that was you?
How would you feel if that was someone you knew or was close to you?
What would you hope others knew or would do for you?
As one man living in Syria said in an article from Fox News, "I feel there is no safety. There is no homeland. There is nowhere to escape to, and no one to defend us. I feel fear and horrifying feelings."
Being a Christian in America, I truly cannot imagine what this brother is going through.
You are a part of this newsletter because you are trying to grow as a husband, father, and follower of Jesus. But what I don't want you to forget is that they are too!
Though you don't know them, they are just like you.
They want to live at peace and enjoy their wives and children and grandchildren - just like you.
They want to worship freely without the fear of being dragged out of church services at gunpoint or thrown into prison and being isolated, lonely, and afraid for their lives or their loved one's lives - just like you.
So what should you do as a fellow brother in Christ?
Pray for them.
Carry their burdens.
Talk about their persecution and share what's happening with others.
Do as the writer tells us to in Hebrews 13:3, "Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."
When one of us suffers, we all suffer.
Don't let them suffer alone.
Nate
P.S.
What would you hope your fellow brothers in Christ would do if you were imprisoned, beaten, or killed for your faith in Jesus?
I know that, for me, I'd hope to be encouraged by them and I would want to know that other people knew about it and were doing something about it to try to help me out.
This is the situation that many Christians find themselves in today around the world. Persecuted for their love of Jesus.
Would you pray for them today and see if God prompts you to serve or help in other ways, too?
