Church under fire #yearintheword

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure.—2 Thessalonians 1:3-5

The church was born with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and with persecution. The church has always been under the fire of persecution. The believers at Thessalonica were overcomers because they possessed enduring qualities from within–faith, love, and patience. Paul the Apostle commended them for it in the face of persecution.

There are many fellow Christians in our world today suffering from persecution. Take a minute to view the different parts of the world where the church is persecuted–watch list. Take 5 minutes to pray for the persecuted church that God would give them boldness and they would find a way of escape and relief. We can pray for their deliverence as we read in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7,

It is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels.

Believers need rest from the persecution, pray that God would give them rest and relief. You can also help by donating to an organization called Opendoorsusa.org We have been so blessed as Americans to live in a country where we can worship God freely. We should also recognize the responsibility of our freedom and support our fellow Christians who are suffering today. Persecution is a reality that is not going to go away, but is on the rise in our day! But God’s faith, love, and patience in our heart brings ultimate victory for us all!