And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. (KJV, emphasis added) Leviticus 18:21

Samira Ahmed Jassim has a nickname. In her circles she is called "the mother of believers."

In truth, I have tried to understand Samira. So far, this understanding has eluded me.

Let me explain. Samira is a 51-year-old Iraqi woman. She has confessed to organizing the rape of young women.

Then, when those women were shamed and disgraced at what happened to them, when Samira had convinced them no respectable Islamic man would have anything to do with them, she encouraged them to become suicide bombers. Of the 80 women Samira recruited, 28 carried out their assigned attacks.

No, I can't comprehend what would motivate this so-called mother of believers to make these young women "pass through the fire," or why she would destroy young ladies who shared her faith -- who only wanted what the rest of us desire: to live their lives in peace and happiness.

I can only guess Samira's heart is so filled with hate that the end justifies the means, no matter how much blood is shed or how many it hurts.

In contrast to Samira who feels comfortable orchestrating rapes and murders, listen to the directions Paul gives to the Savior's people. Writing to the church at Rome he said, "Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (Romans 12:17-18).

Understand those words come from the hand of a man who had persecuted and martyred the Savior's followers. But now -- because of Jesus' confrontation on the Damascus road and through the forgiveness that comes in Jesus -- Paul had been transformed.

With the Savior in his heart, Paul did his best to serve his Savior and build up those with whom he came into contact. And that is something I can understand. That is something we all can follow.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, hatred fills this world to overflowing. For people like Samira, I pray there will come a moment of conversion and redirection. If that cannot be, I pray You will stop the devilish work of Samira and those who think like her. In Your Name. Amen.

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In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Exodus 12-13    Matthew 26:1-35

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