Fiery Ordeal
Two women were selling food from a small food stall at the place where they live. Their small business was quite successful, with good sales among other food-sellers. Sometime last year, these ladies came to know Jesus after a few weeks of studying the Bible. After that, they brought their families and friends to the Bible study so that they could also know about the Lord. Through the efforts of these two, their large families are also now believers. And these women became the spiritual leaders in their area.
Recently, there were some men walking around this food stall. A friend of the two food-sellers told the men to leave because the food stall was about to close. A few moments later, the food stall was burned down! While we still don’t know the motives of those men, this has been a trial for one of the food-sellers and her large family, who are already known as followers of Jesus in the area.
Please pray for this family, that the Lord will strengthen them and help them to get back on their feet. Also pray that even though there is persecution among believers, they will stand strong in their faith.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13, NIV)
