The day begins with panic. I’ve overslept. “I know I set my alarm…now I won’t be able to take a shower… or eat breakfast!” I blast out the door and get in the car only to remember the air conditioning doesn’t work and it’s hot, very hot. Beads of sweat drip from my brow and pits stains have already formed under my arms. I open the windows for fresh air as I drive 70 m.p.h. down the highway. Instead, more hot air blasts my face, adding insult to injury and rendering the work of my comb useless. I arrive at work disheveled and agitated.
This kind of morning is typically enough to warrant a pout session in my life. I open my emails to see what else could ruin my day and click on one from The Voice of the Martyrs. What I read practically slaps me in the face and screams, “Snap out of it, you cream puff!”
VOM reports on the suffering church around the world. Affliction after affliction is detailed – Christians risking their lives or imprisonment simply to get their hands on a Bible. In 2017, research by Barna showed 87% of American homes possessed a Bible and only half of them used it. Here in the States God’s Holy Word is shamefully neglected and unappreciated.
Christians in America are excited to talk about the love of Jesus that led Him to the cross as the atonement for our sin, but there’s an application of this truth we’ve forgotten: We should also be willing to die to promote the name of Jesus.
VOM reminds Christians of this brutal reality. On June 29th I encourage you to join VOM by taking time to consider the tremendous cost your Christian brothers and sisters are paying around the world to advance the Gospel of Jesus.
Matthew 24:9 (ESV)
Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.
The Sullivan Spin 
Amen!
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Wow, what a great reminder! Thank you so much for this!
Katherine
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You are welcome Katherine. 🙂
VOM is such a welcome reminder of the religious freedom I have in Christ in America and a good prodding to pray for my brothers and sisters around the globe going through persecution.
God bless!
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Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
It is so very true that we (generally in first-world countries) do not appreciate our free access to Scripture enough. And we gripe over the littlest things compared to what many martyrs have faced with joyful, willing, complete submission to Christ.
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You are so welcome Emma 🙂
I know I am guilty of being ungrateful for the blessings God gives, one being religious freedom in America. VOM leads me to thank and praise God for His good gifts and pray for others. God bless!
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TY:)
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You are welcome Hawk! 🙂
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Great reminder!!
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Voice of the Martyrs is a wonderful publication that brings my sheltered existence back to reality.
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I know I’m reading this a few days late, but it’s a tragic reminder on July 4th that not everyone has the freedom we Americans have!
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That’s so true Lily. Often the VOM emails catch me at a time when I’m totally ungrateful for the freedoms I enjoy everyday. God bless!
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I’m reading this very late, … but not really. We should all remember the martyrs every day, pray for them, give thanks for what we have, and ask God how we can use it for His kingdom. Some years ago, shortly after about 22 Christians were beheaded on a beach in Libya, people were wearing orange ribbons (to match the orange jumpsuits the martyrs were wearing when they died) to commemorate their deaths, and to call attention to the plight of Christians around the world. I wore mine for a while, and a couple of times it opened up a dialogue. I’m thinking I should do it again, to remind myself to pray, if nothing else. Thanks for posting this.
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You make a great point seekingdivineperspective, it’s always appropriate to honor the martyrs of the church. Starting a conversation is a wonderful opportunity to encourage believers and share Christ with the lost. Thanks for reading and sharing your experience, it’s a great idea.
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