Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I am not posting this so you can be fearful. I am posting this so you can be aware. We have nothing to fear because God is our Lord and He is strengthening us daily and upholding us with his righteous right hand.
Jesus said in John 15:18-21
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you a servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
During Covid persecution rose around the world with more than 340 million Christians facing high levels of persecution. There was a sixty percent increase over the previous year in the number of Christians killed for their faith. More than nine out of 10 of the global total of 4,761 deaths were in Africa. WE NEED TO PRAY for our brothers and sisters globally and locally.
James Coates is a pastor in Alberta, Canada. Canada is pretty close to home here in the USA. He is currently in jail for violating covid restrictions which are actually much stricter than here. I will attach a Youtube video and article if you want watch an interview with his wife.
Basically he told the church that they did not need to wear masks and they were going to continue to gather, but also had a section in the building set apart for those who didnt feel comfortable with that and wanted masks. They did what Texas is doing….and this has landed him in jail. He is currently waiting trial. Persecution is not a thing of the past. It is not something the first churches were going to have to face. It is a global reality that many are facing as I write this.
Pray. Put on the full armor of God. The battle belongs to the Lord and we are fighting from a place of victory. But friend, we cannot back down from our convictions of sharing and spreading the good news to others. Even as we see persecution we need to BE BOLD. As people are silenced we need to SPEAK LOUDER. Pray for the persecuted church and the families of those who have died and those who are in prison.
As you speak please remember these verses:
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats ; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:14?-?16
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:1?, ?10?-?12
The Lord bless you and Keep you,
Kara
Resources:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/13/christian-persecution-rises-as-people-refused-aid-in-covid-crisis-report
https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/trial-date-for-jailed-alberta-pastor-charged-with-breaking-covid-19-health-orders-1.5322053
“After you have done everything, to stand.”
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