Truth Inspires

Perpetua, Felicity, and others - Future Martyrs*     And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. (Galatians 5:11) As it is written: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STUMBLING STONE AND ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND WHOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME." (Romans 9:33) In Christianity today there is a "war of affections" th at is bringing much confusion into the arena of Christian thought and practice. Th e battle I speak of is one that rears itself in the deep emotional recesses of the human heart. 1 It is the hardest battle one will ever fight. Although the occasional skirmish has always been a reality in many places around the earth, it becomes more visible when our precious faith is under fire.  Perpetua's Story "In A.D. 202, Emperor Septimius Severus disallowed conversions to Christianity. In the wake of that act, severe persecution broke out again

Into Your hands we commit our spirit       In my book, " The Sifted Generation, Tested, Tried, and Found True, " I wrote of a sifting of believers that would take place on earth prior to the return of Christ; a sifting that would separate true believers from the pretenders. The results of this sifting would be clearly seen in the public eye—even shouted from the rooftops of the world—as those who are true God-fearing Christians would be called to make a faithful stand on the side of Christ. Today, before our very eyes, we see this happening as believers in different parts of the world are shedding their blood, giving their lives in martyrdom, undergoing scorn and ridicule, and being sued for consciously and publicly practicing their faith.  Yes, there is a sifting wind blowing on the heights, a winnowing if you will, that is slowly spreading around the world bringing to light those who are true believers. Like the heroes of faith in Hebrews