Thought for the Week - 8th October 2023

Dear Friends, 

I’ve been reading the story of Dorcas from northern Nigeria from the Open Doors prayer guide. Believers in Nigeria are experiencing increasing levels of violence, and more Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than in the rest of the world combined – 14 every day, on average. Dorcas is one of 130 young people in Nigeria to have received their own Bible to support and encourage them in their discipleship journey. She says, ‘I am so happy to have a new Bible that I can call my own! To me, this Bible is a weapon to overcome and win the battle in life. I believe the Bible will be of great impact in my spiritual journey because it is the foundation on which we should build our lives. Knowing God for yourself and being rooted in God’s Word will be the best way of living in this world’. Such encouragement for Dorcas and other young people like her is vital as these young believers’ experience both discrimination and violence daily because of their faith in Jesus Christ. They are the minority in their communities, yet they continue to demonstrate resilience amid increasing persecution, and as a result many around them have come to faith. We read in the Old Testament, ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29:11). We have perhaps all been encouraged by someone who has believed in us and helped us along the way, someone who can inspire and stir us to move ahead. That description we could use of God himself, who knows the future and his plans for us are good and full of hope. As long as God provides the way forward for us and goes with us as we fulfil his mission, we can have boundless hope. Of course that does not mean we will be immune from hardship and suffering, pain and loss, but God will see us through to a glorious conclusion. Dorcas says, ‘I pray for everyone that contributed in one way or the other for the Bible to reach me and other people in my community. I will share it with people who don’t have a Bible and win souls for Christ so that the name of Jesus will be glorified’.  

Grace and peace,

Neil

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