Seeing Through Eyes of Faith
by Angela Wittman
"Be of good cheer, Master Ridley, and play the man, for we shall this day light such a candle in England as I trust by God's grace shall never be put out."
(Bishop Hugh Latimer's last words before he was burned at the stake for his faith on October 16, 1555.)
And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens...And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
(Hebrews, chapter 11: vs. 32-34; 36-38, KJV)
Dear Friends,
This essay is written to encourage and strengthen those Christians who are being arrested here in these united States of America for preaching the Word of God without hesitation and compromise.
There has been much publicity in the Christian media for those who were wrongfully arrested in Philadelphia last October [2004] for preaching the Gospel at a homosexual "OutFest." This group of Christians (being referred to in the media as the "Philadelphia 5") includes a young lady of only 17 years of age: Lauren Murch.
For those of you who are familiar with Reformation history, you may remember the story of young Margaret Wilson who was arrested for her faith in 1685, tied to a stake and then drowned in the Solway tide in Scotland at the young age of 18 years.
Margaret Wilson would not deny her Lord Jesus and neither has young Lauren Murch. This young lady has the courage that only comes from seeing the Lord through eyes of faith. She will stand strong, as the faith she has received is genuine.
Let us pray God will lead those who are seeking the prosecution of this young Christian girl to repentance.
As we pray to God Almighty for a dismissal of the trumped up charges against these brothers and sisters in Christ, please be aware that they are forerunners for the church in America. If you hold true to your Christian beliefs and the commandments of God, you will face persecution; the light of the Gospel cannot remain hidden by shadows of wickedness.
It is our duty to speak against lawlessness and to point sinners to the cross for forgiveness of their sins and for eternal salvation, which is found only in Jesus Christ. We are to love our neighbors enough to risk their wrath by telling them they are sinners in need of a Savior.
May God grant us the same courage to see through eyes of faith as He has the Philadelphia 5. Amen.
-----------------------------------------
Published 2005.
"Be of good cheer, Master Ridley, and play the man, for we shall this day light such a candle in England as I trust by God's grace shall never be put out."
(Bishop Hugh Latimer's last words before he was burned at the stake for his faith on October 16, 1555.)
And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens...And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
(Hebrews, chapter 11: vs. 32-34; 36-38, KJV)
Dear Friends,
This essay is written to encourage and strengthen those Christians who are being arrested here in these united States of America for preaching the Word of God without hesitation and compromise.
There has been much publicity in the Christian media for those who were wrongfully arrested in Philadelphia last October [2004] for preaching the Gospel at a homosexual "OutFest." This group of Christians (being referred to in the media as the "Philadelphia 5") includes a young lady of only 17 years of age: Lauren Murch.
For those of you who are familiar with Reformation history, you may remember the story of young Margaret Wilson who was arrested for her faith in 1685, tied to a stake and then drowned in the Solway tide in Scotland at the young age of 18 years.
Margaret Wilson would not deny her Lord Jesus and neither has young Lauren Murch. This young lady has the courage that only comes from seeing the Lord through eyes of faith. She will stand strong, as the faith she has received is genuine.
Let us pray God will lead those who are seeking the prosecution of this young Christian girl to repentance.
As we pray to God Almighty for a dismissal of the trumped up charges against these brothers and sisters in Christ, please be aware that they are forerunners for the church in America. If you hold true to your Christian beliefs and the commandments of God, you will face persecution; the light of the Gospel cannot remain hidden by shadows of wickedness.
It is our duty to speak against lawlessness and to point sinners to the cross for forgiveness of their sins and for eternal salvation, which is found only in Jesus Christ. We are to love our neighbors enough to risk their wrath by telling them they are sinners in need of a Savior.
May God grant us the same courage to see through eyes of faith as He has the Philadelphia 5. Amen.
-----------------------------------------
Published 2005.
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