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The Thin Place

I’m #Blessed When I Am Persecuted For My Faith, But Have I Ever Been Persecuted?

I have never been counted myself among the persecuted Church.

Globally, I recognize that I have brothers and sisters in Christ practicing their faith in secret, boldly proclaiming the Gospel despite consequences, and even being tortured and killed for holding fast to the confession of our faith.

But here, in my little apartment in America, I am not persecuted on this level.

When I was young, I assumed I would have to go far and away to be a real Christian. I dreamed of boldly stepping on the mission field, somewhere dramatic and dangerous. My aunt told my cousin and I bedtime stories when we were little about our homes in Africa and our lives working in medical missions, boldly proclaiming the Gospel despite persecution.

None of that happened. So instead, I prepared myself for a comfortable life and the occasional academic persecution for my “old-fashioned” faith in the God of the Bible.

Academic persecution, while frustrating, seems silly to label “persecution” next to the stories in Hebrews 11 or from our own Christian history of those who have given their last breath for the Gospel.

But does that mean I, an American woman who is called to live out my life here, lose this blessings?

Or is there another type of persecution I am missing. 

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. – Matthew 5:10-12, ESV

While I don’t want to trivialize the physical persecution many in our faith experience, I do want to look at the spiritual persecution in the Bible and how we can boldly withstand all that the devil and his minions would throw our way.

Job knew what it meant to be persecuted for righteousness sake. 

In the first chapter of Job, God boasts of Job’s faithfulness and, to try and test that, Satan attacks Job with all He has. But despite it all, despising losing land, wealth, children, and his health, Job stood firm.

In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. – Job 1:22, ESV

Job set an example for standing against spiritual persecution. And reading his story reminded me that, while I might not face physical persecution, I do need to be ready to resist the attacks launches against those who are righteous.

Persecution is a horrific thing to endure. But, Jesus made it clear that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to the persecuted.

We are blessed when we stand firm in what we believe. 

When we don’t give way to public or political pressure but hold to the promises of Christ above all else, we are blessed. Job stood firm not only in the attacks from Satan, but when his friends told him to curse God and die.

Before she was burned alive, Joan of Arc reportedly said, “I am not afraid, I was born to do this.” Her courage should be an example for us all in standing firmly where God has led us.

In persectuion, we’re blessed because we’re focused on the eternal 

Like those in Hebrews 11 who withstood persecution, we need to cling to the hope we have in the future and the temporal nature of this life. We cling, not to what we hold in our hands, but to the promise we hold in our hearts of the future.

Persecution associates us with the prophets and ultimately, Christ Himself

The people who have boldly proclaimed God’s news have a history of being reviled and tortured.

While the world may see persecution as a sign of God’s dismay or our failure, Job’s friends certainly saw it this way, Scripture tells us that’s simply not the case.

While the world may see persecution as a sign of God’s dismay or our failure, Job’s friends certainly saw it this way, Scripture tells us that’s simply not the case. Click To Tweet

Christ was persecuted. And many of the prophets who call the people back to God and foretold His coming and God’s redemption were also persecuted. But it wasn’t because God had abandoned them, it was because God was working through them.

So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell – Matthew 10:26-28, ESV

Blessed are those who are persecuted. Reflections on the persecuted church and spiritual warfare from a comfortable American. #devotional #christianliving #beatitudes #christianity #biblestudy #bible

Blessed are those who are persecuted. Reflections on the persecuted church and spiritual warfare from a comfortable American. #devotional #christianliving #beatitudes #christianity #biblestudy #bible Blessed are those who are persecuted. Reflections on the persecuted church and spiritual warfare from a comfortable American. #devotional #christianliving #beatitudes #christianity #biblestudy #bible Blessed are those who are persecuted. Reflections on the persecuted church and spiritual warfare from a comfortable American. #devotional #christianliving #beatitudes #christianity #biblestudy #bible Blessed are those who are persecuted. Reflections on the persecuted church and spiritual warfare from a comfortable American. #devotional #christianliving #beatitudes #christianity #biblestudy #bible Blessed are those who are persecuted. Reflections on the persecuted church and spiritual warfare from a comfortable American. #devotional #christianliving #beatitudes #christianity #biblestudy #bible Blessed are those who are persecuted. Reflections on the persecuted church and spiritual warfare from a comfortable American. #devotional #christianliving #beatitudes #christianity #biblestudy #bible

We need to stand firm. Whether we face physical persecution, whether we are taunted for your beliefs, or challenged in the realm of spiritual warfare, stand firm.

We need to stand firm. Whether we face physical persecution, whether we are taunted for your beliefs, or challenged in the realm of spiritual warfare, stand firm. Click To Tweet

God is good in the midst of our worldly troubles. When we face persecution, we need to root ourselves in the future He has promised and provided for us. Because Christ said that those who were persecuted were blessed because the Kingdom of Heaven was theirs and because persecution unites us with Christ and the prophets in a way that our comfortable lives don’t.

So rejoice, and be blessed. And remember to pray both for strength to endure persecution and for the persecuted, physically and spiritually, Church around the world.

You might also enjoy:

I’m #Blessed When I’m Pure In Heart (So I Confess My Sin)

10 Triggers To Remind You To Pray Without Ceasing

I’m #Blessed Because I’m Poor In Spirit

Pray Like Hannah and Give It to God

6 Habits To Start Your Morning Routine Like The Proverbs 31 Woman

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The Comments

  • sruszkowski
    August 30, 2018

    Wonderful!!! Thank you for the reminder and context for this verse here in the United States. I, for one, was blessed. 🙂

    Reply
    • TheThinPlace
      sruszkowski
      August 31, 2018

      I’m so glad!

      Reply
  • Colleen Mitchell
    August 30, 2018

    I like reading about Job because there seems to be many different opinions on what actually happens in that book. I like how The Bible Project puts it: https://youtu.be/GswSg2ohqmA
    The idea that spiritual and physical persecution for faith can both happen is terrifying.

    Reply
    • TheThinPlace
      Colleen Mitchell
      August 31, 2018

      I love the Bible Project! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  • Nicole Kauffman
    August 31, 2018

    This is so powerful. Thanks for sharing this 🙂

    Reply
    • TheThinPlace
      Nicole Kauffman
      August 31, 2018

      Thank you, Nicole!

      Reply
  • Shan Walker (@shanGURUwalker)
    August 31, 2018

    What a wonderful perspective! I knew this but it was great to be reminded today!!! 😉

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Shan Walker (@shanGURUwalker)
      September 5, 2018

      I’m so glad it encouraged you, Shan!

      Reply
  • Diane Ferreira
    August 31, 2018

    This is awesome Bailey! Knowing this is not our home can give us the faith and the strength to know we can get through any persecution.

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Diane Ferreira
      September 5, 2018

      It really can! We need to keep a heavenly perspective.

      Reply
  • Mommy & Mia Homeschool Chronicles
    September 2, 2018

    I enjoyed this very much!

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Mommy & Mia Homeschool Chronicles
      September 5, 2018

      I’m so glad it spoke to you.

      Reply
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Hello, I’m Bailey
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Hello, I’m Bailey

The Thin Place was born out of a season of struggle. A season where I felt stretched thin and desperately longed to see the goodness of God in the land of the living. The goodness of God showed up in unexpected ways. During that season, the spiritual disciplines laid out in Scripture, the traditions of the Church, and the reminders of His faithfulness seen in liturgial living and the feasts and seasons of the Church calendar all opened my eyes to the hope we have in Christ.

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Chances are, the Books of Maccabees are probably the deuterocanonical books you are most familiar with!  It is in these books that we find the origins of Hanukkah.
To be honest, they are a rough read. A really rough read. They detail the suffering the people of God endured while their enemies attempted to control their land and wipe out their religion. 
It is a set of books filled with great suffering as many of the faithful are killed but it is also a book of great bravery and trust in the Lord in the midst of trials.
In Maccabees, two of the theological principles used today are clearly seen. The first, that God created the world out of nothing. 2 Maccabees 7:28 details how God did not make the world out of things already created, but out of nothing. 
The second principle is that of praying for the dead. While there are references throughout Scripture and it is a clear practice of the Early Church, it is most clearly referenced in 2 Maccabees 12. 
#christianwoman #graceupongrace #jesusgirl #inspiredfaith #womenlivingwell #jesuscalling #faithfilledcaptions #catholicblogger #Catholicconvert #CatholicWoman #chasingsacred #christianwomenleaders #bibleverse #biblestudy  #christianblogger #faithinhim #proverbs31woman #faithful #Godisgood #encouragementgallery #godslove #christianposts #christianquote #prayer #prayertime
thethinplace
thethinplace
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Chances are, the Books of Maccabees are probably the deuterocanonical books you are most familiar with! It is in these books that we find the origins of Hanukkah. To be honest, they are a rough read. A really rough read. They detail the suffering the people of God endured while their enemies attempted to control their land and wipe out their religion. It is a set of books filled with great suffering as many of the faithful are killed but it is also a book of great bravery and trust in the Lord in the midst of trials. In Maccabees, two of the theological principles used today are clearly seen. The first, that God created the world out of nothing. 2 Maccabees 7:28 details how God did not make the world out of things already created, but out of nothing. The second principle is that of praying for the dead. While there are references throughout Scripture and it is a clear practice of the Early Church, it is most clearly referenced in 2 Maccabees 12. #christianwoman #graceupongrace #jesusgirl #inspiredfaith #womenlivingwell #jesuscalling #faithfilledcaptions #catholicblogger #Catholicconvert #CatholicWoman #chasingsacred #christianwomenleaders #bibleverse #biblestudy #christianblogger #faithinhim #proverbs31woman #faithful #Godisgood #encouragementgallery #godslove #christianposts #christianquote #prayer #prayertime
1 day ago
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Judith is another archetypal story of the battle being won at the hand of a woman, seen also in Judges and Esther. 
During the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, an army is sent to destroy the mountain town that Judith lives in. The people are greatly distressed and death seems to be the only option. Judith, a wealthy widow, trusts in the Lord and ultimately, kills the opposing military leader and brings peace to the people.
It is a story of God’s provision for His people in their exile through an unlikely source, a widow. In Judith, we see an archetype pointing to Mary and to the Church, waiting for her true Bridegroom. 
But it is also a story that points to the Lord’s desire to draw all nations to Himself! One of my favorite parts of the book of Judith is that it tells us of the conversion of a man who initially sets out to fight the Jewish people coming to believe in the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. 
“And when Achior saw all that the God of Israel had done, he believed firmly in God, and was circumcised, and joined the house of Israel.” - Judith 14:10
It beautiful reminder that God’s deliverance is for all mankind. 
#proverbs31woman #proverbs31 #womenintheword  #virtuouswoman #godlywoman #godsgirl #christianliving #butgod #blessedandhighlyfavored #trustgod #daughteroftheking #walkbyfaith #daughterofaking #beautyfromashes #graceupongrace #dailydevotional #faithjourney #jesuslover #faithblogger #godisgood #graceoverperfection #michiganblogger #wordbeforworld #encouragingquotes #christianlife #christianencouragement
thethinplace
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Judith is another archetypal story of the battle being won at the hand of a woman, seen also in Judges and Esther. During the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, an army is sent to destroy the mountain town that Judith lives in. The people are greatly distressed and death seems to be the only option. Judith, a wealthy widow, trusts in the Lord and ultimately, kills the opposing military leader and brings peace to the people. It is a story of God’s provision for His people in their exile through an unlikely source, a widow. In Judith, we see an archetype pointing to Mary and to the Church, waiting for her true Bridegroom. But it is also a story that points to the Lord’s desire to draw all nations to Himself! One of my favorite parts of the book of Judith is that it tells us of the conversion of a man who initially sets out to fight the Jewish people coming to believe in the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. “And when Achior saw all that the God of Israel had done, he believed firmly in God, and was circumcised, and joined the house of Israel.” - Judith 14:10 It beautiful reminder that God’s deliverance is for all mankind. #proverbs31woman #proverbs31 #womenintheword #virtuouswoman #godlywoman #godsgirl #christianliving #butgod #blessedandhighlyfavored #trustgod #daughteroftheking #walkbyfaith #daughterofaking #beautyfromashes #graceupongrace #dailydevotional #faithjourney #jesuslover #faithblogger #godisgood #graceoverperfection #michiganblogger #wordbeforworld #encouragingquotes #christianlife #christianencouragement
2 days ago
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If there was any Old Testament book I would love to see made into a movie - it would be Tobit! It has everything! Despair! True love! Home remedies! Battles against demons! A quest to find the family treasure! It is truly a dramatic book. Like the book of Esther, it demonstrates God care for His people during their exile. 
Tobit is a narrative book. Like Job, it begins with a man who served the Lord but was met with misfortune so great that he begs the Lord to let Him die. At the same time, a young widow across the country is making the same request. God answers both of their prayers through the intervention of the angel Raphael who, in disguise as a man, helps Tobit’s son on a journey. It is a short, compelling story and, for that reason, it is a really great place to start if you want to read through the Deuterocanonical books.
There is also a beautiful contrast to Adam and Eve seen in the love story of Tobias and Sarah. Where one couple listened to devil and succumbed to temptation, we see the other stand firm in reliance on the Lord. This points us to the future coming of Christ and His defense of His bride, the Church.
#christianwoman #graceupongrace #jesusgirl #inspiredfaith #womenlivingwell #jesuscalling #faithfilledcaptions #catholicblogger #Catholicconvert #CatholicWoman #chasingsacred #christianwomenleaders #bibleverse #biblestudy  #christianblogger #faithinhim #proverbs31woman #faithful #Godisgood #encouragementgallery #godslove #christianposts #christianquote #prayer #prayertime #miblogger #michiganblogger
thethinplace
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If there was any Old Testament book I would love to see made into a movie - it would be Tobit! It has everything! Despair! True love! Home remedies! Battles against demons! A quest to find the family treasure! It is truly a dramatic book. Like the book of Esther, it demonstrates God care for His people during their exile. Tobit is a narrative book. Like Job, it begins with a man who served the Lord but was met with misfortune so great that he begs the Lord to let Him die. At the same time, a young widow across the country is making the same request. God answers both of their prayers through the intervention of the angel Raphael who, in disguise as a man, helps Tobit’s son on a journey. It is a short, compelling story and, for that reason, it is a really great place to start if you want to read through the Deuterocanonical books. There is also a beautiful contrast to Adam and Eve seen in the love story of Tobias and Sarah. Where one couple listened to devil and succumbed to temptation, we see the other stand firm in reliance on the Lord. This points us to the future coming of Christ and His defense of His bride, the Church. #christianwoman #graceupongrace #jesusgirl #inspiredfaith #womenlivingwell #jesuscalling #faithfilledcaptions #catholicblogger #Catholicconvert #CatholicWoman #chasingsacred #christianwomenleaders #bibleverse #biblestudy #christianblogger #faithinhim #proverbs31woman #faithful #Godisgood #encouragementgallery #godslove #christianposts #christianquote #prayer #prayertime #miblogger #michiganblogger
3 days ago
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3/5
The Book of Wisdom full of poetic principles and outlines how to live life well. Written around the time of the Maccabean revolt, it is written in the style of Solomon (and is sometimes referred to as “The Wisdom of Solomon”) but was written by later authors.
While this book was not accepted in the Jewish cannon, it is in every copy of the Greek Septuagint but it was quote by St Augustine over 800 times and, most importantly, was declared Scripture at the Councils of Hippo and Carthage. 
It focuses on Wisdom guiding the lives of the faithful, the follies of the wicked, and focuses heavily on our future home with God and the life to come. 
For those of you familiar with the Nicene Creed, the Book of Wisdom is one of the sources of inspiration of our description of Jesus Christ. The reference to Christ being “Light from Light” is taken from Wisdom 7:26 which refers to Wisdom as being a “reflection of eternal light.” 
There are also several passages in Wisdom which foretell the death of Christ. One of my favorite passages is Wisdom 14:7, “Blessed is the wood by which righteousness comes,” which reminds me how truly blessed is the cross which held the Savior of the world, our perfect Sacrifice. 
Wisdom is very similar to the book of Proverbs in length and style. It points constantly to the Lord who, as James tells us, is ready to give wisdom to those who ask. 
#bibletime #biblereading #readyourbible #proverbs31woman #proverbs31 #womenintheword #savedbygrace #virtuouswoman #godlywoman #godsgirl #christianliving #butgod #givemejesus #trustgod #daughteroftheking #walkbyfaith #beautyfromashes #graceupongrace #dailydevotional #faithjourney #jesuslover #faithblogger #godisgood #graceoverperfection #michiganblogger #biblescripture #catholicbible
thethinplace
thethinplace
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The Book of Wisdom full of poetic principles and outlines how to live life well. Written around the time of the Maccabean revolt, it is written in the style of Solomon (and is sometimes referred to as “The Wisdom of Solomon”) but was written by later authors. While this book was not accepted in the Jewish cannon, it is in every copy of the Greek Septuagint but it was quote by St Augustine over 800 times and, most importantly, was declared Scripture at the Councils of Hippo and Carthage. It focuses on Wisdom guiding the lives of the faithful, the follies of the wicked, and focuses heavily on our future home with God and the life to come. For those of you familiar with the Nicene Creed, the Book of Wisdom is one of the sources of inspiration of our description of Jesus Christ. The reference to Christ being “Light from Light” is taken from Wisdom 7:26 which refers to Wisdom as being a “reflection of eternal light.” There are also several passages in Wisdom which foretell the death of Christ. One of my favorite passages is Wisdom 14:7, “Blessed is the wood by which righteousness comes,” which reminds me how truly blessed is the cross which held the Savior of the world, our perfect Sacrifice. Wisdom is very similar to the book of Proverbs in length and style. It points constantly to the Lord who, as James tells us, is ready to give wisdom to those who ask. #bibletime #biblereading #readyourbible #proverbs31woman #proverbs31 #womenintheword #savedbygrace #virtuouswoman #godlywoman #godsgirl #christianliving #butgod #givemejesus #trustgod #daughteroftheking #walkbyfaith #beautyfromashes #graceupongrace #dailydevotional #faithjourney #jesuslover #faithblogger #godisgood #graceoverperfection #michiganblogger #biblescripture #catholicbible
4 days ago
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4/5
Until I read the entire Bible last year for the Bible in Lent challenge, I had never read most of the Deuterocanonical / Apocryphal books of the Bible. When I did this, I realized that, aside from a vague notion of Maccabees from Hanukkah books, I had absolutely no idea what the rest of the books contained.
For the next few days, we're going to do a little overview of each of these books in the Bible.
But first, why aren't these books in the Protestant Bible?
Like most of the divides in the Catholic and Protestant conversation, there is a lot of nuances. Luther’s own translation of the Bible included these books although he moved them to a separate section. They were also included in the King James Bible of 1611 and the Geneva Bible even though they were viewed as apocryphal or “outside of Scripture.” It was not standard even in Protestantism to exclude these books from the Bible printing until 1825. 
Essentially, there is a lot of historical evidence that the church throughout history considered these books a part of the Bible. But earlier in the Church, we see evidence of Church leaders such as St. Polycarp, St. Clement of Rome, Origen, St. Athanasius, St. Jerome, and St. Augustine,  affirming some or all of these books as Scripture.
It's clear that historically, believers have seen these books as beneficial so I hope you'll join me in looking at them this week!
#godsword #jesusislife #dailydevotion #shedelights #graceupongrace #godisfaithful #lordjesus #blessedisshe #biblestudy #trustinhim #catholicism #bible #jesuslove #christianposts #readyourbible #bibledaily #intheword #wordbeforeworld #bibleversedaily #gracemakers #christianwomenleaders #bibletruth #jesusisthereasonfortheseason #godlovesyou #prayerchangesthings #dailybibleverse #seekhim
thethinplace
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Until I read the entire Bible last year for the Bible in Lent challenge, I had never read most of the Deuterocanonical / Apocryphal books of the Bible. When I did this, I realized that, aside from a vague notion of Maccabees from Hanukkah books, I had absolutely no idea what the rest of the books contained. For the next few days, we're going to do a little overview of each of these books in the Bible. But first, why aren't these books in the Protestant Bible? Like most of the divides in the Catholic and Protestant conversation, there is a lot of nuances. Luther’s own translation of the Bible included these books although he moved them to a separate section. They were also included in the King James Bible of 1611 and the Geneva Bible even though they were viewed as apocryphal or “outside of Scripture.” It was not standard even in Protestantism to exclude these books from the Bible printing until 1825. Essentially, there is a lot of historical evidence that the church throughout history considered these books a part of the Bible. But earlier in the Church, we see evidence of Church leaders such as St. Polycarp, St. Clement of Rome, Origen, St. Athanasius, St. Jerome, and St. Augustine, affirming some or all of these books as Scripture. It's clear that historically, believers have seen these books as beneficial so I hope you'll join me in looking at them this week! #godsword #jesusislife #dailydevotion #shedelights #graceupongrace #godisfaithful #lordjesus #blessedisshe #biblestudy #trustinhim #catholicism #bible #jesuslove #christianposts #readyourbible #bibledaily #intheword #wordbeforeworld #bibleversedaily #gracemakers #christianwomenleaders #bibletruth #jesusisthereasonfortheseason #godlovesyou #prayerchangesthings #dailybibleverse #seekhim
5 days ago
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5/5
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