“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”                                                 – Matthew 10:26-28 (English Standard Version)

Jason M. Alexandre, Voices Against the Grain Devotional Writer

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”     –Matthew 5:4 May the eternal grace, peace, and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with the families of the 147 victims killed in a terrorist attack at Kenya’s Garissa University. Most of the victims, if not all, identified with being a Christian. God bless the souls of those university students who courageously made a conscious choice in the face of danger not to deny believing in the name of Jesus Christ.

They did not fear the terrorists with guns who could kill the body because their assurance rested in the One who already saved their souls. Maybe the words of their Savior flashed through their minds in the face of persecution and danger. For the Bible says, “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” –Matthew 10:32-33

I pray that we ready our hearts for the persecution that will inevitably come to Christians in the United States. In some cases, it is already here! Will we be bold in the face of danger, ridicule, and rejection, standing our ground in our belief in Jesus Christ? Or will we give in for the sake of our lives here on this fallen, dying and decaying earth? “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” –Matthew 16:25

Christians be encouraged! I know it seems grim when we look around and see the spiritual and moral decay rapidly increasing. The more sin becomes acceptable and overlooked, the more Christians will be hated.

Oh they could kill the body but never the soul! Be encouraged! For Christ said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ –John 15:18-25 Amen

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.