Where It’s Hardest to Follow Jesus:
1. North Korea
2. Afghanistan
3. Somalia
4. Libya
5. Pakistan
6. Eritrea
7. Sudan
8. Yemen
9. Iran
10. India
https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/january/top-christian-
persecution-open-doors-2020-world-watch-list.html
We are so lucky in North America! Even though the gospel is clear that
Christians will be persecuted (John 15:18), we have it pretty good. Where we
live, you can actually choose a Church. You are welcome in a Church. You know
you won’t be persecuted by joining any Church. We have Constitutional rights to
practice our Faith without fear of imprisonment, banishment, or death.
This is not so in the countries listed above. I have read various stories of
Christians were banished from town forced to drink lizard’s blood, tortured, and
publicly hung if they don’t denounce Christ. I take too much for granted living
here. I need to spend more time seeing if there is anything I can do to even help
one Christian who lives in these countries. I am not sure what but at least I can
try to figure out a way. I would rather try than not try at all.
In the meantime, the next time I walk by any Church, I will thank God. The next
the time I hear someone complaining about the sermon, I need to correct them on
how fortunate they are. The next time I hear others fussing over a trivial Church
matter, I need to remind them how lucky they are to have a Church in the first
place.
God has given us amazing tools to get close to Him. I can actually carry a Bible
on me without fear of being beaten, killed, or arrested. I can garner more
learning with other believers without having to huddle in a sewer hole for fear
that we might be heard by “them.” So, today, let’s thank God for what we have.
Let’s cherish the various tools He has given us to learn more about Him.
by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor
Alberta, Canada
