Persecution

1 Pet. 4:12-16
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter."

Peter is talking to believers who are about to go through persecution. He advises them to not think this is out of the ordinary. Persecution eliminates the fake believers. God allows it, to purify the church. Evil is still happening around us, so don't be surprised if one day we must face persecution. You will just be suffering like Jesus did.

If you suffer for doing wrong, that doesn't bring glory to God.

Lastly, dad asked B., "why would a Christian have a tendency to be 'ashamed' "?
Well this led into a detailed story-telling mode description of him being taken by the police, put in jail, and us explaining all of this to our friends and neighbors, and how we may have a tendency to be embarassed, etc. I was getting way too involved in this "story", and started imagining the whole thing and said, "Stop it, stop it!!" I told him that he was giving me "creepy bumps" , then I wacked him, then he said that I was being disrespectful during devotions, then we all cracked up. Don't you wish that you were there?