Would you still proclaim your love and allegiance to Jesus if your life was on the line? Now I know it is easy to quickly answer yes I would, but think about Shadrach Meshack and Abednego. Before them was a fiery furnace that had been heated 7 times more than usual. All they had to do was bow down before the idol king Nebuchadnezzar had created or they would be thrown into the fire. As the Bible narrates, they stood their ground and they were thrown into the fire. So hot was the fire that the soldiers who threw them in the furnace were wiped out by the fire. A fourth man, Jesus, appeared to them in the fire and they were not consumed.

I have seen a worrying trend within the body of Christ. Many are only vibrant in their service and worship to God as long as things are rosy. When we experience a little turbulence, we doubt and even give up on God and some even walk away from the faith.

Jesus told us that in the last days believers will be delivered up to tribulation and even killed. The nations will hate us because of the name of Christ. Offence will be rife and people will hate one another. The love of many will grow cold because of these things.

How strong are your convictions about Christ and the cross of Calvary? If we weaver because of a little trouble here and there how will we be able to stand in the midst of persecution and death?

May we mature and fortify our faith in Christ, loving not our lives even unto death.

Have you ever experienced any kind of persecution because of your faith in Christ? What happened?

If you have never experience any kind of persecution, how do you think you would react when faced with real persecution?

If Christianity was abolished and considered a crime punishable by death, would you still hold on to your faith?