Good morning people who grow stronger in the Lord through times of trials and tribulation.

Exodus 1:12 NIV But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.

Christianity is not a fair-weather religion. It’s not all about us and our comfort.

As with the children of Israel way back in the book of Exodus, it is still true today that persecution can result in our growth.

New Testament growth increased as the persecution increased. Now we live in the blessing of those who pressed into God while they themselves were hard-pressed on every side.

What am I saying?

We don’t chase after or even delight in persecution. Nobody wants this or sets out to attract it to themselves.

But nor do we fear it as something that will diminish the church and destroy the people of God. History clearly tells us otherwise.

Therefore, I declare that it is time to go deeper with God. It’s time to have our foundations in God solid and sure. It’s time to know what we believe and to commit to being in covenant with God no matter what the days ahead look like.

I declare that it is time for believers to be believers. It’s time to be sold out, Spirit-filled, Bible-based, Father-honouring, Jesus-reliant sons and daughters of royal birth.

It’s time to rise and shine so that the glory of the Lord may cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.