Suffering is not something that we know much about in the U.S. - at least not what it means to “suffer for Jesus.” I preached today at the graduation communion service for the Nilgiris Institute of Christian Studies. I spoke with the students and pastors gathered there about Paul’s admonition to Timothy to “share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:3).

Engaged in a spiritual battle, we must always have the mindset of a soldier who uses his resources - his time, his talents, and his treasures - for the war effort. This spiritual battle that we are in as followers of Jesus sometimes takes on physical manifestations, though - especially for believers in India.

After I spoke, NDI partner Murli Menon shared about the recent wave of persecution in the Indian state of Orissa - pastors beaten, churches burned, believers harassed. He had all of those present from Orissa to stand as we prayed for them to continue to proclaim the name of Christ with boldness in the midst of their hardship. May we in the U.S. share in their suffering, if in no other way than through our prayers to lift them up during this Easter season.

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