The Church is in Good Hands!

“On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18

We need to pray every day for Christians who are persecuted for their faith. Watching the news, reading the paper, and surfing the net one can easily be gripped by images from the Middle East. Constant stories around the world about what people are doing to followers of Jesus Christ.

Modern testimonies of the persecuted church read like stories from the book of Acts. They are reminders of Jesus’ promise to build his church. What else could explain the church’s survival and growth throughout 20 centuries? How else could believers care about others’ salvation in the face of hell’s fury?

The risen Lord Jesus is alive and building his church. Those of us who can worship him freely can see this too. Who else can change the heart of a prodigal child? Or give joy to a believer in the face of  sickness/death? Or set up so many ministries that do so much good?

“I will build my church,” says Jesus. With that hope let us bear witness that he is “the Son of the living God.”

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, we know you are at work building your church. Strengthen your people everywhere today to give faithful testimony about you in all they do and say.  In your name,  Amen.

Thoughts from Tim Holwerda and Pastor Derek Wadsworth