Day27

Richard Wurmbrand is a real pastor. What you saw in the above video really happened and continues to happen around our globe. The worst persecution of Christians is taking place in our lifetime. Over 70 million believers have died for their faith in the last 2000 years. The shocking fact is that half of them, 35 million believers, have died for their faith within the last 100 years.

Religious persecution is taking place right under our noses. The persecution of Christians is the most ignored and least reported news on the planet.

What is the reason for the persecution. Scripture says in Matthew 5:10-11 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” Persecution happens because of the Righteous standards for which the Bible calls Christians to live stands in stark contrast to that of the world. Jesus also says that believers will face persecution for their connection with Him. This persecution will happen for every believer who desires to live a Godly life.

Pressure to cave in and not stand for the truth of God’s Word is already mounting in our culture. It may take place with people laughing at your beliefs, being excluded from groups, being overlooked for promotions, ridiculed or ostracized. This kind of pressure is real…are you ready to stand and continue in the faith without caving in? Are you ready for your faith to be tested? Jesus says “Rejoice and be glad, because great will your reward be in heaven for standing firm in your faith, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

• Pray to for the persecuted church. Hebrews 13:3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. To learn more: https://www.persecution.com/

• Pray for our church family to stand firm and speak the Truth with Grace, showing the love of God to the world around us. Wasn’t that an amazing story of grace that Richard Wurmbrand showed the prison guard…praying for him. Pray that we would show God’s grace to those around us.

• Pray for joy in the journey for our church family as we keep one eye on heaven, remembering this is not our permanent home.