"But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you" - 1 Peter 4:12- 14 (NIV).

There have been a few recent developments that have brought cheer to many Christians world wide. In 2014 a gay activist, Mr Gareth Lee, placed an order at a Christian run bakery in UK to bake a cake for him with a slogan, "Support Gay Marriage"!

When the Baker declined that this would contravene company values (and there are many other providers anyway) the activist took the Baker to court. This case has been running since going on to the European Supreme court, which has dismissed it finally!

A Christian nurse, Mary Inhouha, originally from Nigeria, working for a south London hospital, UK, happened to wear a crucifix as a theatre nurse. "Every time I look at it, I think of Jesus, His love, how much He loved me, and the need for me to love Him back,' she said. Whereas Muslims who had on hijabs or Hindus wearing bracelets were not bothered, she was forced out of her job, on account of using the crucifix to proselytize patients. She took her employers to court which has ruled in her favour.

These accounts share a common story of our times- the targeting and persecution of believers for their faith. In 2004 a Christian biologist, Nathaniel Abrahams, was fired from his job at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, for questioning evolution as a scientific fact.

Believers must be aware that Christ warned us in the last days to see more of such persecution. "Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them" (Mathew 10: 16-18). And to these he says, "but one who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Mathew 24:13), and hugely rewarded!

Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as we see the increasing persecution of believers near and far, help us with the strength of your Holy spirit to hold on to the truth assured that you will deliver us and there is a big reward for those who persevere to the end, this I pray in Jesus name!