To: ST.LOUIE1; Billie; DollyCali; GodBlessUSA; JustAmy; Mama_Bear; The Mayor; Aquamarine; deadhead; ...

2 posted on 08/30/2006 6:49:06 AM PDT by dutchess

To: ST.LOUIE1; Billie; dutchess; DollyCali; GodBlessUSA; Mama_Bear; Aquamarine; JustAmy; deadhead; ...

August 30, 2006

Persecution That Backfired

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Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. —1 Peter 2:21

In AD 64, someone set fire to Rome. A few days later, two-thirds of the city lay in smoldering ruins. A rumor spread that the emperor Nero had set the fire because he wanted to rebuild the city and name it after himself. Needing a scapegoat to get himself off the proverbial hot-seat, he chose to blame a defenseless and unpopular minority—Christians. He then initiated such intense persecution that he’s been referred to as the first Antichrist. It’s believed that both Peter and Paul were martyred during this time.

Because Christianity was new and its followers still relatively few, the sadistic treatment that Nero leveled against believers, which included using them as human torches to light his palace garden, continued with little opposition.

His persecution eventually backfired, however. Instead of weakening the new faith, it strengthened it. History tells us that within a few hundred years Christianity became so influential that Emperor Constantine made it the official religion of the Roman Empire.

God always has a purpose in persecution. He will use it for good if we follow the example of Christ, who, “when He suffered, He . . . committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). —Julie Ackerman Link

The purposes of God are right,
Although we may not see
Just how He works all things for good
And transforms tragedy. —Sper

It is better to suffer for the cause of Christ than for the cause of Christ to suffer.

Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year: Psalms 129-131; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16

7 posted on 08/30/2006 7:09:39 AM PDT by The Mayor ( http://albanysinsanity.com/)

To: dutchess; The Mayor; DollyCali; ST.LOUIE1; Aquamarine; Mama_Bear; Billie; Allegra; lonestar; ...

Good Morning To The Finest!

~Happy Warm Fuzzy Wednesday~

9 posted on 08/30/2006 7:20:15 AM PDT by MEG33 (GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES.)

Good morning, dutchess - posting from the office so I have no access to my templates or pics. How's everything going?

10 posted on 08/30/2006 7:24:42 AM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3rd Bn. 5th Marines, RVN 1969. St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle!)

To: All; dutchess; Billie; The Mayor; DollyCali; GodBlessUSA; Purple Mountains Maj; stopem; LUV W; ...

Good morning, Good morning!!
Rise and Shine!

14 posted on 08/30/2006 7:41:24 AM PDT by Mama_Bear (My heroes wear camouflage)

To: dutchess; LUV W; Mrs.Nooseman; Jack Deth; Colonel_Flagg; ST.LOUIE1; Billie; DollyCali; ...

Good morning and happy Warm and Fuzzy Wednesday to the Finest.

21 posted on 08/30/2006 8:52:39 AM PDT by EsmeraldaA

Aww-w-w-w, cuteness personified, Dutchess...yours? grandchild?

23 posted on 08/30/2006 10:01:09 AM PDT by meandog (While Clinton isn't fit even to scrape Reagan's shoes, Bush will never fill them!)

24 posted on 08/30/2006 10:04:07 AM PDT by Majie Purple

Hi, dutchess. Thank you for bringing WFW to us this week!

38 posted on 08/30/2006 12:29:19 PM PDT by Billie

Awww, cute. Sorry I just got here & now it's time to go!

53 posted on 08/30/2006 2:27:46 PM PDT by PreviouslyA-Lurker (...where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18)

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