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Do we have to wait until Christianity is totally excluded as a religion before we will stand up and fight? There have been many warnings over the years that the Christian faith will be denied and that Christians will be persecuted. Many prophets and seers have foretold the day when we would be fighting for our right to preach in public places and in schools. Most of this has come to pass. It has become increasingly difficult to preach the gospel even in established churches. Instead of growth, churches are closing down or members are dying off and buildings are being sold. Local communities are protesting aggressively against any Christian influence or activity. The pressure to stop affecting areas and influencing people is as strong as it was in the day when our Lord walked the earth.

Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons, preached peace, life and healing. Does that sound like the church today? I think so! Yet, in His time as in ours, the persecution exists to stop such influence. When Jesus stood before the council who were condemning him, He knew that He could save himself or call on angels to rescue Him, but He chose to submit to God’s plan for mankind’s salvation. The leaders had been given authority by God to crucify His Son. Jesus was handed over to faithless men because of our sin. He paid the price and we do not have to! In the hour of our persecution, we can hold firm to victory that was won by Jesus. If they persecute me they will persecute you too, He said.

How we have failed the Lord; the darkness is spreading faster than the light. Today’s church is fast becoming history or their focus has become works or finances rather than faith. God challenged me recently regarding faith. Instead of looking at the financial circumstances and waiting and hoping that people will tithe so there is always enough in the storehouse, I should be looking to God. The members of the congregation answer to Him if they do not tithe or give properly. Teaching and preaching on tithing then becomes easier as you are not putting pressure on those that you know are not faithful. Instead, you can then see them in their needs and help them to grow in Christ. The tithe will follow as maturity grows!!!

The church in general is also guilty of reverting to building a business rather than trusting in the Lord. Materialism has taken control of the organisations we now call “church”. Charges are made to attend a conference, offerings are taken at every meeting and cds of the messages are sold at the end . In addition to these costs, books, cds and beverages are sold at a profit for the ministry. There is a place for wisdom in these matters, but where is the faith? Is it because the visiting speaker has insisted on their wages, travel and accommodation costs before the conference and the pastor is not going to be out of pocket for hosting the event? Does He/She have to raise the funds at the expense of the sick, weary and desperate? For instance a conference on healing will attract the sick, who’s money are you taking? A conference addressing debt will attract those in financial difficulties, whose money have you taken? Where is the grace of Paul in 2 Cor 8: 1-7 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.

The focus of these conferences should be that we give ourselves to the Lord first, then to the people we serve. The visiting speakers should have grace that if the God has called them, He will provide!! Pastors and leaders should never fear that the finances will be depleted. God will provide. Remember the example that Jesus set, he never charged for any of the works he did, whether he was raising the dead, casting out demons or healing the sick. When He needed a coin to pay the tax collectors, He knew exactly where to look because He was led by the Spirit.

Is it any wonder that Christianity is suffering such attack when we, Spirit filled believers, have failed God?

During this dark hour of religious hatred against Christianity, we must stand firm in the knowledge that Christ has paid the price and that He gained the victory over the enemy. CALLING ALL CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS: STAND FIRM, WITH CONFIDENCE AND ASSURANCE; BE BOLD AND COURAGEOUS FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU. Following are some sites where Christianity has been attacked and that we can visit and take action against.

1. A petition has been launched against Peter Black's invitation to Patrick Jones to insult the Lord Jesus Christ and call for churches to be closed. The event is due to take place in the National Assembly of Wales at 12 noon on 11th December. Lorraine Barrett AM, a member of the extremist anti-Christian National Secular Society, is also co-hosting the event. The Petition is HERE: <http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/welshassembly/>

2. Blasphemous poetry reading at Waterstone's is CANCELLED!

(But Waterstones are still stocking the man's anti-Christian book.) "Darkness is Where the Stars Are" which is full of anti-Christian rhetoric and profanity.

3. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vt4MSQQ8LPo Rowan Atkinson mocks Christ at Prince's Birthday Show. Rowan Atkinson mocked the Bible, Jesus Christ, His miracle at Cana and His crucifixion on the Prince of Wales' 60th birthday show at 8.35pm on Saturday 15th November 2008 which was broadcast on ITV as 'We are most amused'. Atkinson came on dressed as a vicar and began to read from John Chapter 2. After half a verse he began to blaspheme the word of God and mock the Lord and His miracles as conjuring tricks. Since the presentation did not change, it would not have been clear to someone unfamiliar with the scriptures what was from the Bible and what was not. Atkinson finished up by saying: 'He did go unto Jerusalem and he did his full act ... they absolutely crucified him.' (A reference to a common showbiz saying when an act has gone down badly.)

Here is a YouTube clip

All this was in front of the heir to the throne, who, if the Lord wills, will be granted the title 'Defender of the Faith' when he is crowned. Atkinson is a friend of the Prince of Wales, and he thinks he can do as he likes. The camera did not record the Prince's reaction.