"...the Chinese government's stranglehold on information makes it impossible for all of the instances of Christian persecution to be documented.....It also highlighted three new alarming trends: the full-scale suppression of Christian human rights lawyers groups; use of abuse, torture and mafia tactics; and a severe crackdown on...churches that do not accept government control."

"...three Coptic churches were firebombed by mobs of radical Salafi Muslims....According to one report, 12 people were killed and more than 200 injured.... It took the Egyptian army nearly five hours to respond to the violence, leading some to fear that the army and local police forces are either complicit in the attacks or unwilling to defend Egypt's Christian minority. When the second church was attacked, Muslim mobs prevented fire trucks from reaching the church."

"In Nigeria, Muslim rioters killed more than 100 Christians and burned more than 40 churches 'in response to the election of Jonathan Goodluck, a Christian, as president.' ...Christians in those Muslim-majority areas 'have faced repeated bouts of violence and discrimination' and 'tens and thousands of Christians have been killed' over the years."

And we in America forgo church if there is a hint of rain, the fish are biting or kickoff is scheduled before noon.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Only by His wonderful grace can we see from His perspective, rejoice always, and continually give thanks. Only by His life in us can we walk in humility and live together in the victory of His cross. Only by His Spirit in us can we obey His Word and follow His ways. Therefore we can thank Him -- not only for the sunny days and happy moments -- but even more for those things that show us our great need of a Saviour and draw us closer to Him.

May God bring such persecution to the church in America that we too might  learn to lean on Him and grow in our faith and trust. May He allow trials and tribulations to come into our lives to strength us in our walk with Him.

Do not despise the testing of your faith - embrace these times as opportunities to experience His faithfulness and His love.