MY FAITH
Hello folks,
I guess you might wonder why this Richard seems to always be in some
sort of tragedy; he almost seems like your own personal sad sack of sorts. Sad
Sack who is depicted in WW2 comics is an otherwise unnamed, lowly US army
private experiencing some of the absurdities and humiliations of military life,
all the time. Or why this Richard seems to have such a JOB from the Bible like
existence but not quite as bad?
FAITH, yes one word I have come to understand is that as hard as it
will be for me and at times all of us.
FAITH, that we have (for those who believe), are at times
tested.
FAITH, well I have found the answer to my sad sack life, maybe the
below examples also might relate to you:
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And
GOD is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But
when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure
it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
PERPETUA
Born around 181AD, Died around 7 March
203AD
Perpetua was a Christian noblewoman who, at the turn of the third
century, lived with her husband, her son, and her slave, Felicitas, in Carthage
(in modern Tunis). At this time, North Africa was the center of a vibrant
Christian community. It is no surprise, then, that when Emperor Septimius
Severus Augustus determined to cripple Christianity (as he believed it
undermined Roman patriotism), he focused his attention on North Africa. Among
the first to be arrested were five new Christians taking classes to prepare for
baptism, one of whom was Perpetua.
Her father immediately came to her in prison. He was a pagan, and he
saw an easy way for Perpetua to save herself. He entreated her simply to deny
she was a Christian.
"Father do you see this vase here?" she replied. "Could it be called
by any other name than what it is?"
"No," he replied.
"Well, neither can I be called anything other than what I am, a
Christian."
In the next days, Perpetua was moved to a better part of the prison
and allowed to breast-feed her child. With her hearing approaching, her father
visited again, this time, pleading more passionately: "Have pity on my gray
head. Have pity on me, your father, if I deserve to be called your father, if I
have favored you above all your brothers, if I have raised you to reach this
prime of your life."
He threw himself down before her and kissed her hands. "Do not
abandon me to be the reproach of men. Think of your brothers; think of your
mother and your aunt; think of your child, who will not be able to live once you
are gone. Give up your pride!"
Perpetua was touched but remained unshaken. She tried to comfort her
father—"It will all happen in the prisoner's dock as GOD wills, for you may be
sure that we are not left to ourselves but are all in His power" but he walked
out of the prison dejected.
The day of the hearing arrived; Perpetua and her friends were marched
before the Roman Governor Hilarianus. Perpetua's friends were questioned first,
and each in turn admitted to being a Christian, and each in turn refused to make
a sacrifice (an act of emperor worship). Then the governor turned to question
Perpetua.
At that moment, her father, carrying Perpetua's son in his arms,
burst into the room. He grabbed Perpetua and pleaded, "Perform the sacrifice.
Have pity on your baby!"
The Roman Governor Hilarianus, probably wishing to avoid the
unpleasantness of executing a mother who still suckled a child, added, "Have
pity on your father's gray head; have pity on your infant son. Offer the
sacrifice for the welfare of the emperor."
Perpetua replied simply: "I will not."
"Are you a Christian then?" asked the Governor.
"Yes I am," Perpetua replied.
Her father interrupted again, begging her to sacrifice, but the Roman
Governor Hilarianus had heard enough: he ordered soldiers to beat Perpetua's
father into silence. He then condemned Perpetua and her friends to die in the
arena.
Perpetua, her friends, and her slave, Felicitas (who had subsequently
had been arrested), were dressed in belted tunics. When they entered the
stadium, wild beasts and gladiators roamed the arena floor, and in the stands,
crowds roared to see blood. They didn't have to wait long.
Immediately a wild heifer charged the group. Perpetua was tossed into
the air and onto her back. She sat up, adjusted her ripped tunic, and walked
over to help Felicitas. Then a leopard was let loose, and it wasn't long before
the tunics of the Christians were stained with blood.
This was too deliberate for the impatient blood thirsty Roman crowd,
which began calling for death for the Christians. So Perpetua, Felicitas, and
friends were all lined up, and one by one, were slain by the
sword.
POSTED IN FAITH FOR YOU BY,
Richard…
P.S. for at 2:20AM this morning I was given by GOD the answer to my
question of questions. I praise Him for this blessing of FAITH...
Amen.
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