Around the world Christians are sometimes being beaten, jailed, persecuted and sometimes killed for their faith or for telling others about what makes them tick. Maybe Who they believe in and worship.

Voice of the Martyrs publishes a monthly magazine making readers aware of some things happening across countries and nations.

The VOM president welcomed readers with the note, he had just received from someone who is in prison for his faith. Only until recently he had been discouraged about the long sentence he could face. But one day he had the opportunity to witness to several young people in his cell. After their chats, he said he experienced a great joy and grace from the Lord, even seeing a new purpose for his imprisonment.

"It is only with thanks that I can explain the amazing joy which the Lord fills me with despite the long time of my imprisonment. The longer I'm in prison, I live a bigger joy and I am experiencing new touches from Jesus' pierced loving hands."

The VOM president went on to tell how hard it would be to imagine a person experiencing such joy and purpose while sitting in prison under extremely hard conditions. He then recounted similar words written by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:12 - 14, as he too sat in jail:

"And I want you to know this, dear brothers:  Everything that has happened to me here has been a great boost in getting out the Good News concerning Christ. For everyone around here, including all the soldiers over at the barracks, know that I am in chains simply because I am a Christian. And because of my imprisonment many of the Christians here seem to have lost their fear in chains! Somehow my patience has encouraged them and they have become more and more bold in telling others about Christ."

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Chances are pretty good we haven't personally experienced such severe treatment. But it is nice to know that no matter what we face, God is bigger than the problem. He will help to see us through whatever we face. As much as we don't want to think about people being jailed for their faith, we need to be aware and pray for them. Even if we don't know them by name nor where their troubles might be inflicted. We do know that God takes care of all of them..........as He takes care of us!

Praise God!