“Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” –Psalm 44:22 (New International Version)
Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love (Psalm 44:26). May we remember in prayer our brothers and sisters in Christ being persecuted and facing hardship all over the world. Particularly, in the Middle East regions of Israel, Palestine, and the Gaza strip we hear and see on our televisions wars breaking out with matters of religion being at the root of the issues. Yet, it is no surprise to a Christian with spiritual understanding that time of persecution would come. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). If you live in the United States as I do, you know that persecution is not as intense as in other parts of the world.
We too will inevitably face persecution, hardship or trials. The apostle Paul knew this very well in his lifetime and yet he continued to press on. “Oh we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-12)
So when persecution, trouble, calamity or hardship comes, take courage! Christ has already overcome the world! (John 16:32). “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) Amen
-Jason M. Alexandre
About Jason M. Alexandre
Jason Melchizedek Alexandre was born in November of 1989 in Brooklyn, N.Y. His family later moved to Philadelphia, Pa., and he now resides in Limerick, Pa. In May of 2014, Jason obtained his Master of Social Work degree at Widener University. Professionally, Jason counsels persons who are homeless, parents, veterans, and others who suffer from various kinds of abuse. Although Jason’s career is Social Work, his spiritual passion is missions. Jason believes in actively answering the Great Commission call Jesus gave all Christians for the Gospel to be spread from person-to-person and nation-to-nation. Annually, Jason travels primarily to Haiti on a mission trip with Haiti Christianity Inc. Each year, Haiti Christianity, Inc., visits cities and/or villages in Haiti bringing children educational supplies, clothing, and medical supplies. They also facilitate conferences in which bible study, budgeting tips, financial planning and most importantly, evangelization takes place. Jason is currently the organization’s public relations director. Jason’s vision is for the gospel to continue to spread throughout the world and believes it is Christian’s responsibility to carry out this mission effectively. To learn more about the organization for which Jason volunteers, please visit www.HaitiChristianity.org.