In the early days of my salvation in Christ Jesus and His saving souls through my life, I did not know that persecution was at hand. Prior to my career in education, I had been working for a top-level sports corporation that represented the national American sports teams. The players would come in to take a look at the new uniforms.

When they would come into the office, the employees would want their autographs. I was not moved by their fame nor their presence. I kept my heart on my responsibilities. I knew Jesus. I had a signature on my life through His blood on the cross. Nothing and no one got my attention.

There was a supervisor and an assistant supervisor who were responsible for the department in which I worked. Daily, I would work diligently. My work was before the Lord. He watched over it.

One day without any notice, I walked into work, and both supervisors looked at me. Before I could make it to my desk, they stood before me. The supervisor said, “You are no longer needed here.” She was laughing. The assistant laughed with her.

Just as I had walked in that morning, in a few minutes, I was walking out. Both of the supervisors escorted me out of the building, as they joked and laughed. All that was going through my mind was, “Wow, this is like the disciples in the Bible! This is just like what happened to them for following Jesus! This is glorious! This is persecution, and the Lord said to rejoice!” I was so honored! I was being persecuted for Christ’s sake! I had no other thoughts or feelings. I simply went on my way, in love with Jesus!

I looked up to the heavens as I walked out of the building, because Jesus was looking at me, and I was filled with His joy! All I could do was smile widely, rejoicing! I wanted to tell the world about the joy of following Jesus! I was so excited!

Early one Saturday morning a year later, I received a phone call. The voice on the other end said, “Claudia, I don’t know if you remember me.” She gave her name.

I said, “Oh yes, I remember you.” She was the assistant supervisor who had helped the supervisor escort me out of that corporation.

She said, “I want to be a Christian like you.”

Without hesitation I said, “Would you like to pray right now to give your life to Jesus Christ?”

“Yes, I would like to.” She responded. Her voice was soft and gentle.

We prayed. She gave her life to Jesus. I then asked her, “Do you have a church to go to?”

She said, “Yes, I do.” And she thanked me.

That was all there was to the conversation. We didn’t talk about the past situation or anything else. God had done His work.

 

“Abba, I so recall that day and still live the honor of living for Your Son. I want to thank you for not allowing me to think of anything but her need to know Jesus.

Who knew that Your life in me that day would have left an impression on that supervisor’s heart, and that You would reap her soul a year later!”

“Jesus, You could have sent anyone to reap her soul. But in Your loving-kindness, You had her call me to let me know of Your love for her and me at that time. Only You know the heart.

“In those days, Lord Jesus, I suffered much persecution in that way. And each time it was a privilege. Thank You, Lord, for the help of the Holy Spirit to cause me to love no matter what!”

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:35

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Luke 6:22-23

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Matthew 5:11

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

Luke 21:17

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

2 Timothy 3:12

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 6:20

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Ephesians 5:2

All scripture is KJV.