“Mapalad ang mga inuusig nang dahil sa kanilang pagsunod sa kalooban ng Diyos, sapagkat mapapabilang sila sa kaharian ng langit. Mapalad ang mga nilalait at inuusig ng mga tao, at pinaparatangan ng lahat ng uri ng kasamaan na pawang kasinungalingan nang dahil sa akin. Magsaya kayo at magalak sapagkat malaki ang inyong gantimpala sa langit. Gayundin ang ginawa ng mga tao sa mga propetang nauna sa inyo.”

Mateo 5:10–12

Have you been treated unfairly because of your faith? Have you experienced hostility in your workplace for standing up or speaking for the truth? For example, dahil sa iyong matuwid na paninindigan, na–bypass ka sa promotion. This is modern-day persecution. Sadly, even in families ay nangyayari ito.

Greg at Lu have seven sons. When the kids were still young, Lu met the Lord, na tinutulan ni Greg. He threw out Lu’s clothes on the street para hindi ito makapagsimba at maka-attend ng Bible study. Despite her husband’s opposition, Lu held on to her faith. She continued being a loving wife to Greg, and a good mother to their children. With her fellow Christians and churchmates, Lu prayed for her husband’s change of heart. The good news is unti-unti ngang lumambot ang puso ni Greg. Not long after ay sumama na sa simbahan si Greg and he was born again. He was transformed and became a solid spiritual leader of his family, strong in his faith and demonstrating God’s love to his children and his wife. All of their seven children got married and became successful in life. All of them, together with their own families, are active in serving God. Because of Lu’s perseverance and non-stop prayers, her sorrow was turned into joy, katulad ng sinasabi ni Jesus sa Mateo 5:10–12.

The kind of persecution that the Old Testament prophets and the apostles of Jesus experienced are still happening today. It’s going on in the countries na hindi kumikilala kay Jesus. Doon ay binubugbog at ikinukulong ang believers, kung hindi man sila pinapatay. We admire the missionaries who serve in these restricted countries. Habang sinusunod ang Diyos, they face the constant danger of persecution. Let’s pray for them.