From the earliest days of colonialism, American slaves were hindered, proscribed, and persecuted. Like their ancient Christian predecessors, they bore witness to the Christian gospel despite the threat of punishment and even death at the hands of fellow Christians. Some slaves suffered willingly. With deep faith in God, they brought their sufferings to Him and experienced the amazing transformation of their sadness into joy. This paradoxical combination of suffering and joy permeated slave religion, as the spirituals attest.
Scriptures referenced include Matthew 5:10 and 2 Timothy 3:12.
Revelation 2:12-29 continues with messages to churches of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) during the apostle John’s time. Each of these messages includes a specific...
What do the Israelites need to do to thrive in the Promised Land? What do we need to do to thrive today? It’s simple:...
As we enter the new year, the worship song, “The Blessing,” offers a powerful reminder of God’s unwavering promises and grace, drawing from the...
