November 28, 2018 – Click here to listen
I was stunned by the large number of birthday wishes I received literally from all over the world. I heard from people who live in Hong Kong China, Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, Barbados, Pakistan, and other international locations and of course all over the United States. I don’t personally know all the individuals that wrote, but I wish I did because I would like to thank them face to face. So many told me they were praying for me and that was overwhelming.
Yesterday I read again about the vast increase in Christian persecution. The headline stated: CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION AND GENOCIDE IS WORSE NOW THAN “ANY TIME IN HISTORY” – As I read my birthday wishes I initially rejoiced and then I thought of those who are persecuted, and it made me sad. Then I came across the verse in 1 Corinthians 12:26 that says that we are one body. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Trends show that countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East are intensifying persecution against Christians, and perhaps the most vulnerable are Christian women, who often face double persecution for faith and gender. Open Doors USA recently reported the following:
Every month:
255 Christians are killed
104 are abducted
180 Christian women are raped, sexually harassed or forced into marriage
66 churches are attacked
160 Christians are detained without trial and imprisoned
According to our research:
215 million Christians experience high levels of persecution in the countries on the World Watch List. This represents 1 in 12 Christians worldwide.
North Korea is ranked #1 for the 17th consecutive year as the most dangerous country for Christians.
During the World Watch List 2018 reporting period: 3,066 Christians were killed; 1,252 were abducted; 1,020 were raped or sexually harassed; and 793 churches were attacked.
Islamic Oppression fuels Christian persecution in 8 of the top 10 countries.
TOP TEN COUNTRIES WHERE IT’S MOST DANGEROUS TO FOLLOW JESUS
North Korea (94 points)
Afghanistan (93 points)
Somalia (91 points)
Sudan (87 points)
Pakistan (86 points)
Eritrea (86 points)
Libya (86 points)
Iraq (86 points)
Yemen (85 points)
Iran (85 points)
I have elevated religious persecution to my priority prayer list. There are people in some of the most dangerous countries to follow Jesus who wished me happy birthday wishes. It is stunning to me that they would take the time and risks to do so. I wonder of they have read 1 Corinthians 12:26 – We are one body. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. They are honoring me because I’m part of the body of Christ, how much more so should I suffer with them?
Persecution is defined by Open Doors USA as: “any hostility experienced as a result of identification with Christ.” Do you feel any hostility towards you because you believe in Jesus Christ? Yes, my friends Christians are being persecuted right here in America. It was unthinkable just a few short years ago for a self-avowed Socialist to consider running for Congress and openly express their socialist agenda, several were elected this year BECAUSE they held those views. Christian persecution is following the same path. Already people are losing their jobs for their beliefs, being sued because they refuse to endorse behavior defined as immoral by the Bible, being ridiculed by Hollywood and the media and so on.
When we suffer today for our faith in Christ, we are sharing in His suffering. Through it, we often become stronger and wiser. Additionally, those who do not yet believe will look at us and see the firmness of our faith. Our patient suffering may even draw them to believe.
Know this: When God permits suffering of any kind, including persecution for our faith, it is always for our greater good.
Hmmm . . . I told a good friend who is suffering greatly from the ravages of cancer that if he were to hit his thumb with a hammer, logically he could reasonably deduct that the pain would stop after a while, but doggone it when you first hit it – IT HURTS! Persecution hurts and it takes deep faith to “rejoice” or “consider it a blessing” when it descends on us like a wicked dark plague; however, we MUST turn to the Lord and know that the entire body of Christ suffers with us until the return of our Savior sweeps it away into hellish oblivion and we are honored for our faithfulness and we all rejoice.
1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.