Monday, August 11, 2014

August 12, 2014

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:10-12
What do these nations have in common: Nepal, China, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, Mongolia, Cambodia, Bahrain, Benin, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Bhutan, Mali, Brunei, Guinea, Kuwait, Singapore, and Turks and Caicos?
These countries are all located either in Asia or North Africa.
Most of these nations have a predominately Muslim population, with some Buddhists, Hindus, or atheists.
A majority of the world's population resides in these 20 nations.
The majority of these countries are ruled by totalitarian governments where Christianity is opposed, oppressed or outlawed.
In most, if not all of these nations, a Christian can be arrested or killed for sharing his faith with a non-Christian.
These nations represent the top twenty places where Christianity is growing at the fastest rate.
How is it that the Church of Jesus Christ is growing  fastest in these areas where Christian faith is prohibited and Believers live under the constant threat of persecution?
Jesus said those who are persecuted for the sake of His righteousness are blessed people. Therefore, the Christians living in these countries are more blessed than we American Christians because they are remaining strong and faithful under the pressures of persecution while we practice our faith in freedom.
For you to share your faith it costs you nothing. For one of them to share his faith could cost him everything. The worst you might suffer from sharing your faith is a little ridicule or rejection. Any one of them could suffer arrest, imprisonment or death.
So, why do they courageously and consistently share their faith when you rarely do?
Think about that.
Pray about that.
Pray for them.
Pray for yourself.