persecuted Christians

How many times have you been persecuted because you bear the name of Jesus Christ?  I can tell you the earliest memory I have of being made fun of because I was a Christian was in Junior High.  My class was waiting on the gym teacher to give us instructions on what we were doing that day.  In fact, I believe it was 7th grade.  I carried my Bible a lot with me that year.  Anyway, I remember reading Acts in gym while we were waiting in our neat rows and this kid (I won't use his name) started ratting on me to his friends.  He would talk loud enough to where I could hear him but the teacher and any adult near us were just out of reach.  "She is such a Bible Thumper.  All she does is read her Bible like she is better than us.  What does she do, worship that Bible?  Hey, Lindsay, your a big fat Bible Thumper!"  I felt alone.  I felt embarrassed because NO ONE stood up for me.  All my "friends" that were surrounding me just sat there.  Honestly, I don't blame them.  Junior High is bad enough, I would not want to be associated with someone that was being called names.  However, looking back on it now, I would not want to be called anything else.  I knew so many people, girls in particular, even in Junior High were known as the girls that was with a different guy every week and doing things with that guy that my friends in the high school had never hear of.  There were rumors going around about people doing things or being with people they shouldn't be and doing things with those people. 

I should have been a pround Junior Higher that not only was I NOT associated with that crowd but that is what people knew about me.  I read my Bible.  I was able to use that as a sword and a weapon against anyone who may have had problems with me reading my Bible.  I was known as the girl that read the Bible but I also bore the name of Jesus Christ.  I should have been proud of that.  Back then, I was not.  Any Junior Higher wants to fit in with their peers.  That was just not going to happen with me.  I wish I would have reacted differently than I did.  I remember is was less than holy.  In 1 Peter 4:12-14 it says, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to rest you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."  How many Christians do you know are closet Christians?  Are they able to speak out for God's sake instead of sulking in the corner when someone says something negative about God?  Are you one of those people?