Matthew 5:10-11 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’

DAILY READING – • Mark 3:1-19; 2 Samuel 6; Daniel 3

In early 2020, North Korea announced a new law, called the ‘DPRK Law on rejecting reactionary ideology and culture’. This law basically punishes the possession and use of foreign propaganda and materials that are anti-North Korean culture.
Part of what is considered anti-North Korean material is the Bible. What’s interesting about the law is that it makes explicit mention of the Bible which it called an illegal book. Reading and possessing the Bible have been illegal for years, and punishment is very heavy. At the very least you’ll be tortured in prison for months. Then you’ll be sent to a re-education camp or camp for political prisoners. Now with the new law, the punishment for possessing a Bible is much greater.
Possessing it is punishable with ten years correctional labour and even death if you import a lot of Bibles.
The North Korean state sees Christians as a huge threat and send most of them to political prison camps. Prisoners are never released from a political prison camp.
Recently, the North Korean government is reported to have expanded its system of prison camps, in which thousands of Christians are currently being imprisoned.
North Korea is ranked as the most oppressive place in the world for Christians. The government continues to extremely persecute Christians in every element of their public and private lives. Yet despite all these, it still has not stopped an estimated 36 percent of the population – around 9 million – from practicing Christianity.
These Christians pay a high price for their faith and are even willing to lay down their lives if required.
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 North Korean 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 and fall into sin.
Just as these North Korean Christians we must refuse to water down our faith in the face of persecution and choose to live an uncompromising Christian life, no matter the cost.
The truth is that any Christian who is living a godly life in this generation, will surely suffer persecutions at some points. But always realize that anytime you are being attacked or persecuted for righteousness sake, God is right there with you.

God says in Isaiah 43:2 “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. The flames will not harm you’

In times of fiery trials, when you keep your faith strong, and choose to do what is right and walk in line with the Word, God will surely help you and see you through.
And after you have been tried, God will ensure that you come forth as gold.[Job 23:10]
Though you may go through the fire today, be assured that you are coming out more blessed tomorrow.
In Matthew 5:10-11 Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
In all the other beatitudes, the word “blessed” is used once, but in this particular beatitude, Jesus used the word “blessed” twice to emphasize the generous blessing given by God to the persecuted.
Therefore, despite the temptation or persecution, we must always remain faithful and continue to choose to please God in every situation.
Our commitment as Christians cannot be complete until we come to the decision to serve God totally and be sold out to His cause. It is our choice for dedication today that guarantees our distinction tomorrow.
Today, as we choose to go all the way with God, surely we will enjoy greater open doors and multiplied blessings.

PRAYER; Lord, may I continue to uphold the truth of Your Word and stand in faith no matter the oppositions I may face. Please grant me the grace and strength to live a life that pleases You no matter how difficult it may sometimes seem in Jesus Name.
QUOTE
The tests you are going through in life today are not for your destruction, they are for your testimony. – WORDBITE 222.

Shalom!

@GOODHEART- EKWUEME .

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