Devotional - June 19, 2004

Herod met a just end when he was eaten by worms and died. He was a bad man. In fact, so many followers of the Lord were killed at his command, one might think his reign of terror and intimidation would squelch the work of Jesus' followers. But it didn't. In fact the persecution of believers was the fundamental reason Christianity grew and the word of God prospered.

Today, I'm afraid we paint a pretty picture of the Lord's work in order to get workers and converts to sign up. It's said only a fraction of those in seminary are there by God's calling to preach the Gospel. That's proven by the fact there exists a large percentage of small churches that can't seem to get one of these new grads. I'm afraid the majority are there to meet the resume requirements of being called as the senior pastor of a larger established church. After all, who wants to be pastor of a small church in the middle of no where - without any money but plenty of problems?

On the other hand, there are millions of people headed for hell who live within the shadow of our church's steeples. Amazingly, most of these churches have long been on a plateau or steadily shrinking in the number of new converts added to their membership. We have message, buildings, plenty of educated workers, untold opportunities and miraculous precedent. So, what's missing? Why is it not working like it did in the first century?

We hear of the first century persecution imposed on those who dared follow and preach Jesus and can't imagine it could happen again. Could it be that the answer to our prayer for revival be the resumption of persecution on the church (us)? One thing for certain, religious persecution reveals a person's conviction or lack of it, doesn't it?

Last night on the television program called 20/20, a vile pop star was interviewed. Now in her forties and married with two children, she told the reporter that her kids weren't allowed to watch television because of the bad content. She has now taken up "religion," changed her name to that of Esther like the Queen in the Old Testament. She then almost apologized for being a bad influence on so many people in the past.

How does it make you feel that this woman without any profession of faith in Jesus Christ, just demonstrated more spiritual conviction than most "practicing" Christians? I think we need revival.

1. Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( 1 Ki. 20:1-21:29 Ac. 12:24-13:15 Ps. 137:1-9 Pr. 17:16 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society