Just a reminder about how much easier it is now to be a follower their faith Yeshua than it was roughly 2,000 years ago...


HOW THE APOSTLES DIED.

1. Matthew. Suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, K**led by a sword wound.

2. Mark. Died in Alexandria, Egypt , after being d**gged by Horses through the streets until he was dead.

3. Luke. Was hanged in Greece as a result of his tremendous Preaching to the lost.

4. John. Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in huge Basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution In Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered From death.
John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison Island of Patmos. He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos . The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve As Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey . He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully

5. Peter. He was crucified upside down on an x shaped cross. According to church tradition it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die In the same way that Jesus Christ had died.

6. James. The leader of the church in Jerusalem , was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his enemies beat James to death with a fuller's club.

This was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the Temptation.

7. James the Son of Zebedee was a fisherman by trade when Jesus Called him to a lifetime of ministry.

As a strong leader of the church, James was beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial.

Later, the officer Walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and Knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.

8. Bartholomew. Also known as Nathaniel. He Was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for our Lord in present day Turkey. Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip.

9. Andrew. He Was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony.

His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words, "I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ h*****g on it". He continued to preach to his tormentors For two days until he expired.

10. Thomas. He Was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the Subcontinent.

11. Jude. He Was k**led with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.

12. Matthias. The apostle chosen to replace the t*****r Judas Iscar**t. He was stoned and then beheaded.

13. Paul. He Was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught many of the foundational Doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament.

Perhaps this is a reminder to us that our sufferings here are indeed minor to compare to the intense persecution and cold cruelty faced by the apostles and disciples during their times for the sake of the Faith.

"And ye shall be h**ed of all men for my name's sake: But he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

Pass on to encourage other Christians.

Why Do we feel sleepy in Prayer, but stay awake through a 3 hour movie?

Why are we so bored when we look at the HOLY BOOK. But find it easy to read other books?

Why is it so easy to ignore a message about God, yet we forward the nasty ones?

Why are Prayers getting smaller, but bars and clubs are expanding.

Why is it so easy to worship a celebrity, but very difficult to engage with God?

Make this message your contribution to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Happy Resurrection Day to all....

Verse of the Day for Sunday, April 21, 2019

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.—Galatians 6:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We are to be a people who do good deeds! When God gives us the opportunity, let's take it! Unlike those in the world looking to get ahead, to get even with someone, or to get out of difficult situations, let's look for opportunities to do good!

My Prayer...

Only you are truly good, Father, but I pray that some of that goodness may be seen in me and in your Church as we serve you today, this week, and until the time the Savior returns for us in glory. Help us to be aware of and to look for the opportunities that you give us to do good to and for others. In Jesus' mighty name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Verse of the Day for Monday, April 22, 2019

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.—Psalm 46:1-2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God is not only our protector; he is also our helper. Even when our world seems to be crashing around us, he is there. He will deliver us from death or deliver us through death. He will deliver us from evil or he will deliver us to overcome evil. Our task is to trust that in the midst of our earthquakes and tidal waves we are not alone or abandoned.

My Prayer...

Holy God, I pray for those today who are in the middle of life's earthquakes. You know those for whom I am concerned. You know I care about their struggles which are too big for me to mitigate and too painful for me to truly bring comfort. I ask you now, to bless them, be with them, and please deliver them quickly. You are our only true hope and Jesus is our only sure redeemer. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Verse of the Day for Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Praise the LORD, O my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
—Psalm 146:1-2

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Hallelujah!" This is a hallelujah Psalm! "Praise the LORD" is our t***slation for "Hallelujah!" What I love about this Psalm are the dimensions of praise given here: my soul, all my life, and as long as live. That is pretty all-encompassing. Our lives are to be a "holy praise" to the LORD as long as we have life! So how's your praise? Only been letting it out at church? Mmmm, maybe it's time to let the rest of your life have a few hallelujahs!

My Prayer...

I praise you, God of Israel and God of the Covenant, for your mighty work bringing salvation through Israel to all nations through Jesus Christ. My heart praises you for your joy and comfort, my head praises you for all your wondrous creation, and my soul praises you for your abiding presence through the Holy Spirit. Please hear my life, my heart, and my voice and they all cry, "Hallelujah!" to you, who alone are God! In the name of the Messiah Jesus, I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Verse of the Day for Thursday, April 25, 2019

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.—Acts 2:41

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Wow! Wouldn't it be great to see 3,000 added to God's people in church today. Those who accepted Peter's message at Pentecost were baptized and the beginning of the early church started with an incredible bang. Earlier that day, only a small group of Jesus' followers had met to pray just as they had done for several days since Jesus' ascension. As night falls in Jerusalem, the number has jumped to over 3,000! Acts 2 stands as a hallmark passage showing us the message of salvation, what the response of open hearts will be, and how the Holy Spirit uses this simple message to bring seeking hearts to salvation and community. Why don't you read Acts 2 today? Jot down what Peter says about Jesus. Notice what Peter tells the people to do to be saved. The Gospel is still just as simple, so let's not only study it; let's share it, praying for God to bring revival to our times and to our broken land!

My Prayer...

Holy and Most High God, please breathe your Holy Spirit out upon us and bring true revival today to our churches and salvation for thousands who are lost. I pray this, in Jesus' name. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.