"WalMart's aren't the only saving places!" so read the church bulletin board as I passed by...and so many times, we, in our safe, saving places pass by the troubling news we hear of the persecuted Church...with a sympathetic sigh and a quick prayer that God will help. Do we really have any idea what they are going through? We sit in our padded pews safe and sound (except for the jolt of an occasional gun or two, i.e., the tragedy at Wedgwood Baptist Church, Fort Worth, TX last year; we sing our hymns about our hiding place, our refuge, our shelter in the time of storm...we memorize and claim the Safety Psalm (Psalm 91)--and it's true, all true.

But what about the persecuted Church? Is it true for them too? Certainly not--or--shall we take another look, while we bring them to the Throne of Grace in prayer this week and especially on Sunday, November 12, a Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Let's go humbly and softly to the Well today--as we bring along our suffering brothers and sisters, in desperate need of our prayers and God's grace.

A Helping Word...or Two!

SAFE in the Arms of the Triune God!

Known by the Father!
They struggle all over the world--and He sees. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without His knowledge--and these suffering saints are more precious than sparrows. They fall in frightening persecution, terror, torment, torture, and finally death--and yet, their blood rises up as the Seed of the Church. See the countries where persecution is the strongest--you will see believers multiplying as the sand of the sea. God knows who they are, where they are, and what's happening. And nothing--in life or death--will separate them from the knowledge of the Father. Their souls are SAFE in the saving place of our God!

Loved by the Son!
They sound His praise, in secret places, all over the world--and He hears. The Son, who loved them and gave His life for them, enters into their suffering world. Miracles happen and lives are spared--or madness occurs and lives are spent; and still He loves. We cannot comprehend the depth, breadth, height or width of the Love of Christ for His Church--but it is real. That love reaches out to their own--I've watched a brother from Iran earnestly intercede for a brother in Indonesia. My heart broke as I prayed along. The bonds of love are strong--they come from the heart of our Lord--and nothing--in life or death--will ever separate these beloved saints (and they ARE saints) from the love of Christ. Their souls are SAFE in the saving place of our God!

Empowered by the Holy Spirit
They seek His enduing power all over the world--and He responds. The Holy Spirit, in comfort, energy, and amazing power and grace, calls these suffering believers to a life of close fellowship with Himself; they must be clothed with the Armor of God, armed with the Sword of the Spirit, daily, as they confront the evil enemy of their God. And the Holy Spirit is there--in quickening, mighty power. Sometimes He miraculously intervenes; sometimes He gives strength to endure; but always He is there. The breath of the Holy Spirit moves across our world, bringing warmth and comfort, strength and grace--and power--to those who suffer. And nothing--in life or death--will separate them from their Lord. Their souls are SAFE in the saving place of our God!

And your soul is safe there too--whatever you are personally going through this day. It may certainly not compare to the suffering of the persecuted Church, but the Father knows. The Son enfolds you in His arms of love. The Holy Spirit empowers you. You are SAFE in the saving place of your God. Believe it--accept His grace and mercy this day. Then let's all take some time this week to acknowledge and pray for our extended family--wherever they may be, whatever they are going through. May God hold them safe in His arms as we seek His face on their behalf!

His Healing Words

Brother to Brother
May His presence fill your heart with song!
Find the lyrics and tune here for the song now playing on this page.

Bible Gateway.com - Romans+8:35-39">Romans 8:35-39

"Lord, we unite our hearts in prayer this week for the suffering Church. We who live in freedom have no concept of the intensity of persecution they face daily for Your Name. Lord, we reach out in love to them; we call upon Your Name to give them strength, courage, grace--and a mighty deliverance from the evil purposes of the enemy, In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Your Weekly Assignment: Read Words from the Well poem and let the Lord minister to you.
He will, I promise! He is a faithful God and will be faithful to you today!

FEATURED LINKS

ASSIST Ministries--the persecuted church

Connections: Persecution and the Church

Open Doors International

The Bible Site--Donate Bibles--FREE!

The Caleb Project--The Persecuted Church

International Christian Concern

Voice of the Martyrs

The Armor Room at Peggie's Place!

SEASONAL FEATURES:
Thanksgiving at Peggie's Place
"Peggie Breaks" for November!
A Top Ten Christmas at Peggie's Place!--Just around the corner!

A PRO-LIFE FEATURE: Child of Sorrow...Child of Peace!--A pro-life devotional by Peggie

A place to enjoy other devotionals!

Devotional Collection

I'm blessed with a wonderful "virtual web family," many close friends
who not only help to keep me sane and smiling, but write wonderful devotionals.
Enjoy their spiritual insights--and their sites as well!

A Virtual Web Family (by Charlene Fairchild)

Cup of Cold Water--by my friend Charlene Fairchild

Visit with my friend Barb! Food from the Master's Table

A Daily Dose of God's Word from Barbara's Entourage

Stop in at Georgia's Place (she's a good cook too!) - Pastors Wives' Prayer and Praise Page

Visit with my friend Charlene, Barb, and guess who! Under The Juniper Tree

Dare to be a Treasure Hunter--by my good friend Vickie

Peggie's List of Devotional Resources

Want to know more about that woman at the well? Read her story in Bible Gateway.com - John+4:1-42">John 4:1-42.

Further inspirational reading (by Charlene Elizabeth Fairchild):

Woman of Samaria

Woman at the Well Bible Study, Part 1

Woman at the Well Bible Study, Part 2

"...whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst,
but the water that I shall give him shall be in him
a well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4: 14 KJV)."

Not hearing music? You need Crescendo!

With thanks to Songs of Praise for the beautiful music playing at Peggie's Place.

Privacy Statement at Peggie's Place!
Peggie's Personal Statement of Faith . . . The Peggie's Place Story & a Mission Statement

Don't leave Peggie's Place without your chocolate!

AddMe - Search Engine Optimization

Most of the music playing at Peggie's Place originates from Songs of Praise.
Visit their great Web site to hear beautiful tunes by many talented artists (CDs are available).

Celebrating God's goodness . . . . . . 14 million and counting!

Note: Counter keeps a running total of "page views" for the entire site.
--It jogs around the world and around the clock--to find YOU!

This Christian home has been visited a zillion times since December 26, 1995!
Well, not quite, but there HAS been a houseful--and STILL room for one more--YOU!
The Christian Counter scans the entire site--and there's plenty of chocolate for everyone--so enjoy!

Please note that while I strongly adhere to major tenets of the evangelical Christian faith, I may not personally agree with every specific doctrinal belief set forth in other Christian pages, nor would all necessarily agree with me. I do want to provide a diversity of links and resource material for the entire Body of Christ to enjoy, and trust you will view it as such.

A safety tip: Internet links and material may include other links and/or material which do not reflect my Christian views or yours. Please choose wisely and use with discretion! And if you find an ugly spider hiding in a dark corner, you may smash it with a broom from my BROOM CLOSET--I hate offensive stuff too!

|Contact information: E-MAIL|
|HOME| |Exploring Peggie's Place: A Site Map | |Search Peggie's Place!|
|Father's House: A Worship Experience at Peggie's Place!| |The Blue Room| |Virtual Vacation!|
|Son Room| |Fun Room| |Family Room| |School Room| |Prayer 'n Praise Room| |Mystery Room| |The Banner Room|
|The War & Peace Pages at Peggie's Place!" |Devo ARCHIVES| |Armor Room| |Favorites Room| |Hide 'n Seek Search|
|Celebration Room| |Chat Room Next Door | |All the Rooms| Fun 'n Faith newsletter | |Tragedy Pages| |Tower of Strength devos|
|Peggie Breaks!| |The Daily Doorstep| |Words from the Well| |Daily Bible Booster devos| |YOUTHlinks!| |Tickles 'n Truth|

Report problems to pbohanon@peggiesplace.com.

Copyright 1996-2008 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, MO. All rights reserved.