View of the Acropolis from the Carpark
It’s hard to imagine that 3 years ago today Annette & I had landed in Athens in Greece and were taking in the panoramic views of the city from our hotel and enjoying soaking in a rooftop swimming pool as we overlooked the Acropolis.
We were privileged to be a part of the Footsteps of Paul tour, taking in the sights and sounds of parts of Greece, the Mediterranean and Anatolia (modern-day Turkey).
Scripture has definitely taken on new meaning to us both since we visited the ancient communities where the Apostle Paul established the early church – and to whom he penned his epistles to the Thessalonians, Philippians, Corinthians, Colossians and Ephesians.
As part of my daily prayer routine which involves the Lectio 365 App, a free daily devotional resource that helps you pray the Bible every day, I was reminded a couple of days ago of the challenges that Christians within this Biblically historical place face each day.
Today, only 0.2% of the population of Asia Minor, which is roughly what we now know as Turkey are Christians, and it isn’t easy for them to practise their faith.
The Apostle Peter also wrote to the believers living across the region of Asia Minor, who were suffering persecution because of their faith in Jesus. In 1 Peter 3:17-18 he writes; “For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” (New International Version – UK)
The thing is, being a Christian doesn’t give us a free pass to avoid suffering, or an instant solution to it. It doesn’t stop bad things from happening to us. We will feel pain, we’ll grieve the loss of those that we love. We may even experience hostility and possibly violence because of our faith (hopefully not).
But we’ll do none of this alone, according to the Apostle Peter, because Christ brings us to the God who suffers, who comforts us, and ultimately delivers us.
Earlier in his letter Peter wrote that we “were called [to this life in Christ], because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
1 Peter 2:21 (New International Version)
Over the next couple of weeks I’ll no doubt be reminiscing about my time there three years ago (which I blogged about starting here), not realising then what was instore for Annette and I as we journeyed through a number of trials and tribulations both in ministry and personally.
So, to close, I’d like to share a prayer for the people of Turkey that was a part of the Lectio 365 devotional;
Lord Jesus, I pray for my sisters and brothers in Turkey – protect them, and give them strength and courage to share their faith with others.
For those that Annette & I met along the way may our time together have been a blessing and through our interactions with them may they have seen more of Christ than of us.
As I think about them now I am reminded of the struggles that they have to contend with on a daily basis and pray that you will continue to look out for them and protect them in these challenging days.
Lord Jesus, I surrender my suffering and my struggling to You. I’d much prefer an easier life, but I trust You in the times and the places where things aren’t easy. Let Your will be done, and Your kingdom come, in me and through me. Amen
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We continue to look at the video series “The Story of Pentecost” today created by the USA Eastern Territory. This is an adaptation of William Booth’s book “Visions”, which was originally published in 1906. 
Today we are continuing to look at the video series created by the USA Eastern Territory, which recounts William Booth’s vision, “The Story of Pentecost,” originally published in 1906 in his book, “Visions.”
Today we celebrate Pentecost (Whitsun / Whit Sunday), which is the Christian festival celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension (which 
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