“The humble man has learned the secret of abiding gladness. The weaker he feels, the lower he sinks, the greater his humiliations appears, the more power and the presence of Christ are his portion, until, as he says, "I am nothing," the word of his Lord brings even deeper joy...it is indeed blessed, the deep happiness of heaven, to be so free from self that whatever is said of us or done to us is lost and swallowed up in the thought that Jesus is all.” (Humility: The Beauty of Holiness by Andrew Murray, p. 86, 89).

Many American children are looking forward to the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, bearing presents for good little boys and girls. But most of those celebrating don't know that there is a real man behind the story of Santa Claus, and that real man was a Christian persecuted because of his faith and actions.

The New Testament speaks about being persecuted for the name of Christ as a blessing, something that's hard to understand for many American Christians. But after they had been imprisoned and harassed by the religious leaders, the Apostles departed, "rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts 5:41).

I have been moved this week by the story of the South African Christian family attacked in Afghanistan last weekend. The father, Werner Groenewald, and his two teen-aged children were killed. The mother, Hannelie, is a doctor and was serving in a clinic when the attack happened, sparing her life. I cannot even imagine the grief and loss that this dear sister is enduring.

At least 100,000 Christians fled the Plain of Nineveh last summer. The Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group has since invaded northern Iraq and occupies both the churches and homes of Christians. Only the Kurdish autonomous region is still a safe area for Christians and other minorities. Matthea Vrij, a Dutch reporter, went to look for the displaced in Erbil, Kurdistan. She had an unexpected encounter with an old acquaintance.

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.For the Lord is the great God,And the great King above all gods.

What would it be like to live in a village that was nearly impossible to drive to? When visitors manage to travel to this type of village, people come pouring out of their homes to see what all the commotion is about.