DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: FEBRUARY 16 WORLD’S HATE ON CHRISTIANS (2) Scripture: John 15: 18 – 21, 25
In the first series of this devotional, we are told that ganging up against Christians so as to stop the spreading of Christianity is from the cradle of New Testament. Satan as we were told from the first series, went against the announced Kingdom of God, John the Baptist said had come into the world. All the series of this devotional contains the encouraging words for Christians not to panic at any threat from the world aiming at silencing Christianity. After the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, hundreds of Christians were killed, imprisoned or inhumanly tortured. Till date thousands are being killed. Biblically speaking, this fulfills the scripture.
There is no period that the Christians are not under hate of the world by one race, tribe, nation, or groups of other religions. Producing numbers of Christians killed in some of these periods is not needed because such might incite trouble. However, a report published by BBC News in November 12, 2013 by one Ruth Alexander reflected that over 100,000 Christians are killed annually. She looked at Christians killed from 2000 to 2010 and found out about 1 million Christians died. Dividing the 1 million by 10 years gave her the 100,000 annually. Many world leaders have positioned themselves to wipe out Christianity all the while. Against all these the church still waxes on, confirming Jesus’ word that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church (Matt. 16: 18). There is no gain saying that more world leaders hate Christianity these days than ever before. They are searching out more ways to intimidate Christians in order to stop the growth of Christianity.
The thrust of this devotional is to tell Christians that the world hating Christians is prophecy fulfilled. Jesus said He is hated by the world because He testifies against the evil of the world, because the world hates Him those who believe in Him will be hated (Jn. 7: 7; 15: 18). Christians are hated because they preach against the evils of the world, just the same way the world did to Jesus. What the world does not know yet is that, severe judgment will surely come upon those killing the Christians (Matt. 10: 28; Gen. 9: 6). As a matter of fact, the judgments are showing on some of these world leaders already. There are internal crises within those nations hating Christianity these days more than never before.
The truth about persecuting Christians is that, persecution helps in spreading the gospel faster, even amongst the persecutors. The last series will dwell on this. What remains for Christians of today is coming together in one faith under Spiritual Unity and make the gospel more genuine and powerful collectively. This is what God is waiting for.
PRAYER:
1. Holy Father, kindly strengthen us to stand against the intimidations of the world against us till your deliverance will show up, in Jesus name.
2. Ask the Lord to give those Christians who are overwhelmed with fear courage to stay on in Jesus name.
3. Pray and ask God to disappoint every ordinance of the evil nations against Christianity in the name of Jesus.
STATEMENT OF CONFESSION
I know that my Redeemer lives. I am not move by stories or sight, but by the word of God.
CONTACT US:
You can contact us for prayer requests or discussion through ubasimon341@gmail.com
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch
