2 Timothy 3:12 “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”

DAILY READING; Mark 12:1-27; 1 Kings 3; Hosea 6:1-7:2

Open Doors, is an international organization that monitors Christian persecutions around the world.
On their annual World Watch list of countries where Christians face the greatest persecutions, North Korea was number 1 for twenty years.
But in 2021, Afghanistan replaced North Korea as the most dangerous country for Christians in the world..

Prior to 2001, the Taliban’ had ruled in Afghanistan with very strong persecution against Christians.
But with the fall of the Taliban in 2001, and the occupation of U.S soldiers, many Afghan Christians became emboldened and some even began openly including their religion on national identity cards.
But after the recent U.S withdrawal from Afghanistan, and return of the Taliban’s rule, persecution of Christians has greatly spiked, heightened by the Taliban’s strict version of Sharia law.
Punishment for being a Christian includes public executions. This situation has led many Afghan Christians to flee the country..
Yet, there are some Christians who had opportunity to flee but deliberately chose to stay back in Afghanistan. Despite the great danger, an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 Christians still remain in Afghanistan, a country of about 38 million people.
These Christians believe that God wants a Church in Afghanistan and He has a plan for them to stay on in the country and continue to preach the Gospel regardless of the persecutions.

It is easy to wonder why these Christians would decide to stay back in such a hostile place.
Perhaps it is for the same reasons why past missionaries stayed in heathen nations to evangelize them, knowing it may cost their lives. And indeed many of them died in foreign fields, so that the heathen could hear the Gospel.

Truly, the Christian life is that of deadly dedication no matter the cost.
Christians who live in persecuted countries understand this best.
They draw their examples from the early Church, many of whom willingly laid down their lives for the sake of the Gospel.
The courage and deadly dedication of these Christians should greatly challenge us and make us relentless in our commitment to obey God.
While we may not face extreme physical persecutions, yet in our daily lives we are often confronted by spiritual persecutions from the enemy as he tempts and tries to get us to compromise our faith.
Despite the temptation or persecution, we must always remain faithful and continue to choose to please God in every situation. As we do, surely, God will give us double for all our troubles.
Indeed as we keep focusing on honoring God, we will see His abundant blessings. Whatever the enemy meant for evil, God will keep turning it all around to our advantage.
In conclusion, let us always remember to pray for the Christians around the world who daily face persecutions and yet exhibit great courage under fire.
Certainly, despite all the attacks of the enemy, the Church of Christ will continue to march forward in victory and the gates of hell shall never prevail against it.

PRAYER Lord please grant me the grace and strength to live a life that pleases You no matter how difficult it may seem. May I continue to uphold the truth of Your Word and stand in faith no matter the oppositions I may face in Jesus Name.

QUOTE
God is preparing you for the season He prepared for your breakthrough WORDBITE 222.