Feeling Persecuted?

Those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12 HCSB

The Christian Post reports that the United States Department of State has detailed in its International Religious Freedom report what one group described as “unimaginable horrors” Christians are facing at the hands of the Islamic State terror group, including beheadings and kidnappings. The American Center for Law and Justice, which has been speaking out about Christian persecution across Iraq and Syria, described accounts in the IRF report as “truly gut-wrenching,” and said the report only offers a “a small glimpse at the unimaginable horrors” Christians are facing.

Jesus told His disciples that they would be persecuted for their righteousness. They would be blessed (find inner peace and fulfillment) when they were insulted and persecuted in His name. He even said they should be glad and rejoice. It is hard to rejoice over persecution, but if it is for the the cause of Christ, a person will be blessed and rewarded. It may possibly not be in this life but in life eternal.

Challenge: Do you feel you are persecuted for your beliefs? It seems that even in America more and more Christians are being persecuted for their beliefs. Pray for strength to stand against the evil that will be spoken against you as a Christian. Read more about Christians being persecuted at www.christianpost.com and lift your persecuted Christian brothers and sisters up in prayer.

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