Treasure Box Poetry And Praise: persecution

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Saturday, November 8, 2025

🕊️ A True Story of Courage and God’s Moving Power - Bulletin

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🕊️ A True Story of Courage and God’s Moving Power

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:10

🔥 Richard Wurmbrand: Imprisoned for Christ

In 1948, under the iron grip of Communist Romania, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand stood before a government assembly where church leaders were being pressured to pledge loyalty to the regime. One by one, pastors compromised. But Wurmbrand, moved by the Spirit, stood up and declared boldly, “We serve Christ alone.” That moment marked the beginning of a long and painful journey of persecution.

He was arrested and imprisoned for preaching the gospel. For 14 years, he endured solitary confinement, starvation, and brutal torture. He was locked in a cell so deep underground that he could not see light or hear sound. Guards beat him until he lost consciousness. They broke his body—but they could not break his spirit.

In the silence of his cell, Wurmbrand composed sermons in his mind and preached to himself. He prayed for his captors. He said, “I have seen flowers bloom in the darkest places. Christ was with me in that cell.” His suffering became a sanctuary where God’s presence was more real than ever.

✨ God’s Power in the Midst of Persecution

Despite the agony, God moved powerfully:

He preserved Richard’s mind and faith through years of isolation.
He gave him supernatural joy, even in chains.
He used Richard’s testimony to awaken the global Church to the plight of persecuted believers.
He turned pain into purpose, leading to the founding of The Voice of the Martyrs, a ministry that still serves persecuted Christians today.

🕯️ Legacy of Faith

Richard Wurmbrand’s story is not just one of endurance—it is a testimony of God’s faithfulness in the fire. It reminds us that persecution is not the end of the story. For those who suffer for righteousness, the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Let us remember those who are persecuted today. Let us pray for them, support them, and stand with them. And let us be bold in our own witness, knowing that God moves most powerfully when the world tries to silence His truth.

🙏 Prayer for the Persecuted and the Church

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with reverence and sorrow, lifting up our brothers and sisters around the world who suffer for Your name. You see every hidden tear, every silenced voice, every trembling heart that stands for righteousness. You are near to the brokenhearted and faithful to those who endure.

Strengthen Your Church, Lord. Give courage to those who face danger, rejection, and loss because they follow Christ. Let Your Spirit comfort them in prison cells, in lonely places, in courtrooms, and in homes where fear tries to take root. Remind them they are not forgotten—they are honored in heaven.

Protect their families. Provide for their needs. Let their witness shine like stars in the darkness. May their faith inspire others, and may their endurance bear fruit that multiplies across nations.

We pray for the global Church: awaken us to their suffering. Let us not turn away or grow numb. Stir our hearts to pray, to give, to speak, and to stand. Unite us in love and truth, across borders and languages, as one body under Christ.

And for those who persecute—Lord, soften their hearts. Let Your mercy reach even the hardest soul. May the testimony of the persecuted lead many to salvation.

We trust in Your promise: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Let Your kingdom come, and let Your will be done.

In Jesus’ mighty name,
Amen.

Matthew 5:10 is a powerful promise for those who suffer for doing what is right. Here's a breakdown of each part of the verse to help you understand its depth and meaning:

📖 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

— Matthew 5:10 (KJV)

🔹 “Blessed are they…”

This echoes the Beatitude pattern—Jesus is declaring a divine favor or spiritual joy.

“Blessed” means more than happy—it implies being approved by God, spiritually fulfilled, and eternally rewarded.
It’s a paradox: those who suffer are called blessed.

🔹 “…which are persecuted…”

This refers to being mistreated, attacked, or rejected.

Persecution can be physical, emotional, social, or verbal.
It’s not just hardship—it’s suffering because of one’s faith or moral stance.
Jesus acknowledges that righteousness often invites resistance.

🔹 “…for righteousness’ sake…”

This is the key qualifier.

The suffering must be because of living rightly—not for personal gain, pride, or wrongdoing.
It means standing for truth, justice, purity, and godliness even when it’s unpopular.
This includes defending the weak, speaking truth, and living with integrity.

🔹 “…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

This is the reward and reassurance.

“Theirs” means this promise is personal and guaranteed.
“The kingdom of heaven” refers to God’s eternal rule, presence, and reward.
It’s both a present reality (living under God’s reign now) and a future inheritance (eternal life with Him).

🌟 Summary

Matthew 5:10 teaches that those who suffer for doing what is right are not forgotten—they are honored by God and promised His kingdom. It’s a call to courage, integrity, and eternal perspective

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Sunday, October 9, 2016

And Such Were Some Of You

Have you ever heard the bible story about Saul in the new testament? Saul believed himself to be righteous in living for God as he went about persecuting and killing Christians. He was a religious man, a Pharisee who had the authority of the Sanhedrin to persecute anyone who did not uphold their beliefs. The Christians feared him and fled at his appearing , but something happened one day that changed Saul's whole life.

There was great persecution against the Christians. In fear they scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Saul went house to house threatening to kill Christians and persecuting families throwing them into prison. This was very soon after the stoning of Steven who was stoned to death, but prayed for those stoning him.

Christians must have been praying for their deliverance and help from God because God himself confronted Saul on the road to Damascus. It was the day that Saul's life was changed forever. Saul believed He was serving God, but instead He was working against God. Saul was deceived into a wrong religion. He needed to know Jesus. Saul was blinded to truth already and God also blinded him physically on the road to Damascus. We are all blinded to truth until God opens our eyes. Many people believe they serve God and know God but, they are not alive to God. They are still dead in their trespasses and sins. See Saul (Paul) thought He was doing the work of the Lord, but instead He was serving Satan in the name of God. God was merciful to his children and also to Saul.

God spoke directly to Saul and asked him why He was persecuting Him.

Acts 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

He needed to understand that He was wrong and hurting Christ by hurting his people. Saul was blinded and needed to be lead by the hand.

Saul believed God and prayed. Then God sent Him Ananias, who was a Man of God. Ananias called Saul brother, which means He became part of the family of God. Saul's eyes were opened spiritually to God for the very first time. He was still blinded physically but his eyes were spiritually opened to the truth of Christ. Ananias was there to pray over Saul , to restore his site and that Saul would be filled with the Holy Ghost. Saul became a preacher of God that day.

Saul had problems at first being accepted by Christians because they feared him. He was known for persecuting Christians. Many people are known for something before they become faithful to Christ but, because of God's great forgiveness we are given a new start . Saul was accepted and forgiven and was received into the family of Christ. He became a great hero of the faith that we read about in the scriptures. God has changed the life of many who once were fooled by false religions or ideas that kept them blind to God and his love.

We are all guilty of sin and if we remain without Christ, we will be held accountable for our sins. The payment for sin is death, meaning an eternal death, an eternity in hell. God does not want that for anyone. He desires that all people be saved.

We become righteous in God's sight when we accept Christ. See true belief will give birth to good works and a desire to please God with our lives.

In the following verses I especially want you to take notice of verse 11 where it says, " And such were some of you".

1Corinthians 6:9-11

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Saul was a violent man who had killed Christians

The Christians didn't believe Saul was saved and they had to be persuaded to accept him into the family of God. They had to forgive someone who hurt their families and friends. They prayed and made a decision to forgive. They did forgive him and He became a great leader of righteousness.

Are you someone who thinks God wouldn't forgive someone like you, someone who wants to know if your trusting in the right things, believing the right things? Maybe this is your wakeup call. Saul had a wakeup call and He believed and became a great man of God. He was given a new name. Paul, the Apostle of Christ.

Are you someone who has not continued in the faith of Christ, someone who has wandered away from right living. You're a believer, but you've messed up. If you were truly his child, He will not leave you alone, He will not let you live at peace with your sin, He will chasten you until you are sorrowful over what sin does. He chastens those he loves. He spanks us so to speak, only sometimes worse than that. It all depends on what it takes to get you home. It may be a gentle reminder or a near death, a wake up call. See if you were once his child you are always his child. He will never leave us nor forsake us. We are sealed until the day of redemption, Once you are born into the family of God, you don't get aborted, The only thing that blots you out of the book of life. Is the rejection of Christ, because it's what Christ did that saved us and it's what he did for us that keeps us saved.

October 9th, 2016
Acts Chapter 9

2Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Devotional: Susan Y. Nikitenko