???????? HIS STORY, HIS GLORY! ????????

              .     I'm just BLESSED to tell it!


  "THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST"

“Are You Truly Willing to Die for Jesus?”

◄ Romans 1:16-17; Luke 9:23-24 ►



CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH BROADCAST

Come, be my guest at Immanuel Outreach Church Ministries!

Pastor Joe N. White Jr., and Lady Donna White

400 Rose Lane, N.L.R., AR 72117

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Evg. Subrina White 501-612-0271 

for complete notes: missbooklady41@yahoo.com


How would you respond if someone placed a gun to your head and asked, “Are you willing to die for Jesus?”  If you are like most believers in Jesus, you want to say that you would remain faithful to Him to the end, regardless of the threat.  The truth is that you probably do not know the answer.  Until we are actually IN that position.


Die daily for Jesus


There are Christians around the world who wake up every morning with the possibility of facing death for their faith in Jesus.  These people could discuss this scenario because it is a very real threat to them.  For most of us, this is simply not the case.


In light of that, how is a follower of Jesus supposed to respond to the following Scripture?  How do we live out this command given to us from Jesus?


Take Up The Cross Daily


If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.


Matthew 5:16 King James Version (KJV)


We Should Be Thinking Eternally

Second, even though we may lose our temporary desires in this world, there is a greater reward in store for us.  Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men,  knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.


Colossians 3:23-24 King James Version (KJV)


We Are to Surrender

Third, throughout Scripture, we are taught that we are to surrender to His desires.  We are to humble ourselves.  We are to seek Him first.  This is the mystery we are given:


The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.


John 12:25 King James Version (KJV)


I encourage you to think about the areas of your life in which you need to die daily for Jesus.  Is it your business?  Are you running your business for the purpose of reaching your own desires, goals, and dreams?  Or have you turned it over to Him and you are now seeking Him first in every area of it?   Be prepared to die for Jesus every day.


Having said that did you know that one in every nine Christians in the world lives in an area, or in a culture, in which Christianity is illegal, forbidden, or punished?  Well, according to the latest report on global persecution by Open Doors USA there has been a 14 percent increase over the previous year.


For the past 27 years, the organization has published the Open Doors World Watch List, countries most vulnerable to societal unrest and destabilization.


During the World Watch List 2019 reporting period, in the top 50 countries, a total of 1,266 churches or Christian buildings were attacked; 2,635 Christians were detained without trial, arrested, sentenced and imprisoned; and 4,136 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons. On average, that’s 11 Christians killed every day for their faith.


Countries are ranked by the severity of persecution of Christians, calculated by analyzing the level of violent persecution plus the pressure experienced in five spheres of life: church, national, community, family, and private. Based on the report’s research, the top 10 nations where Christians found it most dangerous and difficult to practice their faith are. I AM GOING TO LIST TEN. There ARE 10 AND COUNTING.


1. North Korea

Persecution type: Communist and Post-Communist Oppression


Estimated number of Christians: 300,000


How Christians are suffering: “The primary driver of persecution in North Korea is the state. For three generations, everything in the country has focused on idolizing the Kim family. Christians are seen as hostiles to be eradicated. There was hope that new diplomatic efforts in 2018—including the 2018 Winter Olympics—would mean a lessening of pressure and violence against Christians, but so far that has not been the case. Kim Jong-un has maintained tight control over the populace, and dissent or worshiping anything else is not tolerated.”


Prayer point: “The situation for Christians is vulnerable and precarious. They face persecution from state authorities and their non-Christian family, friends, and neighbors. Pray for their protection.”


for complete notes: missbooklady41@yahoo.com


You have been listening to CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH BROADCAST this has been your host Evg. Subrina White