Bangladesh

     I've not written a post here in a while, but I feel I must come back because God is continuing to place things on my heart and I need an outlet for them aside from prayer.

     My children and I love getting the resources from VOM. In the past, they've received a Kids of Courage magazine that told them of the struggles of Christian children in Bangladesh. We took time and prayed for them and continue to pray for them. I received the current issue of VOM and the focus is on Bangladesh as the violence is escalating there. My heart goes out to them and I want to pray and ask God to stop the seeming senseless violence, but to hear those precious ones who trust in God. They actually laugh at the easy life we live! That's amazing to me. They are ready and willing to suffer (God helps them to be brave while they are getting attacked) as Jesus did and don't complain! If service is over the time limit we complain! Oh man. These are the heroes I want my children growing up to admire. Not the fake Superman's and Spiderman's of our day. These are the real heroes and they will get their reward! I love these people so much! I am honored to be called their sister in Christ!

8:18 AM - Aug. 2, 2007 - comments {2} - post comment

Good news

Afghanistan:

PRAISE Report! Abdul Rahman’s case has been dismissed and he has been released from prison! Abdul, who was turned into police by relatives for converting to Christianity from Islam, could have been sentenced to death under Afghan law. The courts announced that the case was dismissed on legal grounds (poor evidence and loop holes in the case), but it was most likely the world-wide attention on this case that caused the courts to back down. Please continue to keep Abdul in prayer as he is still in danger from Islamic fundamentalists for being an “apostate.” PRAISE God for the worldwide attention to this case and the awareness it has raised relative to the persecution of Christians. PRAY that this press coverage will become the norm rather than the exception on matters of persecution.

5:18 PM - Mar. 31, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Pray for our Iranian brothers and sisters in Christ

IRAN

     The lawyer representing imprisoned Iranian Christian Hamid Pourmand has petitioned for his early release from Tehran's Evin Prison this month, during Iran's annual prisoners' amnesty. A lay pastor jailed 18 months ago, Pourmand continues to be allowed regular visits at home with his family for three to five days each month. Hundreds of Iranian prisoners are released each year between the February 11th anniversary of the 1989 Iranian revolution and Iranian Now Ruz (New Year) celebrations on March 21st. "We don't know how the authorities will respond to this appeal," an Iranian Christian in contact with Pourmand's lawyer told Compass. "But, we know the prison officials and guards have extended very good cooperation with Hamid these past months."

     Pray God will soften the hearts of the authorities and allow Pourmand's release very soon. Give thanks to the Father for His sustaining power and the good witness Pourmand has been throughout his trial and imprisonment. Pray Pourmand's release will be just the beginning of a movement to allow more religious freedom in Iran.

5:48 AM - Mar. 23, 2006 - comments {1} - post comment

Pray for Belarus

                                     

BELARUS (ASSIST News Service)

     On March 13th, Georgi Vyazovsky of Christ's Covenant Reformed Baptist Church in Belarus was freed from a Minsk prison on completion of a 10-day sentence for conducting religious worship in his own home. After his release, Pastor Vyazovsky told Forum 18 News Service he felt "splendid" and even joked he had lost weight due to the "good diet." Held in cells with five and later 13 other inmates, he said both they and the warders were "amazed" he was there for religious activity. One of the staff remarked the judge must have gone crazy. To Forum 18's knowledge, Pastor Vyazovsky is the first person to have been imprisoned for religious worship in Belarus for 20 years. When 30 members of various Protestant churches gathered at the prison to meet Pastor Vyazovsky, police roughly moved them some 400 meters away, while some 20 special police officers stood by. Pastor Vyazovsky confirmed there has been no further attempt to prosecute church members since his conviction. However, the Pentecostal bishop of the Minsk region is now threatened with prosecution as well. Sergei Tsvor, who is also first vice-chairman of the Pentecostal Union and pastor of the Minsk-based Good News Church, told Forum 18 that police visited the free-standing residential house where his 100-strong congregation met during a service some six weeks ago. When an officer drew up a protocol against the bishop on the grounds he had no right to lead the gathering under the law on public demonstrations, Tsvor told Forum 18, "I told them that it wasn't a demonstration or a picket, but a worship service." He was summoned to a hearing at Minsk's Moscow District Court on March 9th, but the judge was busy with another case and told him he would be summoned again. He has heard nothing since.

     Pray our almighty and all-powerful God will protect His followers in Belarus. Pray every Christian will be a witness of Jesus' persevering love. Pray the Holy Spirit will move in power to bring the light of Christ to all countries with a heritage of communistic atheism.

5:36 AM - Mar. 22, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Pray for our Turkish brother in Christ

TURKEY (Compass Direct)
For the third time in six months, Turkish Christian Yakup Cindilli has failed to appear at court hearings against the ultra-nationalists who beat him into a coma two years ago for distributing New Testaments in his hometown. The clerk of the Orhangazi Criminal Court near Bursa, in northwestern Turkey, confirmed to Compass last week that Cindilli had not attended a December 15th hearing. Partially recovered, Cindilli had left Orhangazi last June, apparently circulating in various areas of Istanbul over the summer months. With his whereabouts unknown, it is presumed he may not have known about the hearings scheduled on his case. Although his assailants were jailed, one was released a month later and the other two granted bail after three months. The Orhangazi judge has postponed the criminal court hearing on Cindilli's case until March 16th.

Pray Cindilli will be able to have another series of medical tests to prove the severity of his injuries. Pray he will be willing and able to attend the March 16th hearing. Pray that as the time for the trial drags on, the Lord will lead his attackers to repentance and faith in Jesus.

7:05 AM - Jan. 4, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Pray for Indonesian Christians

INDONESIA (Compass Direct)
Following the closure of scores of churches in the past two years, the Indonesian government is revising a controversial law to regulate places of worship. Christian leaders fear the changes will do little to keep Muslim communities from blocking or shutting down churches. The original 1969 decree requires all religious groups to apply for permits before setting up a place of worship. Neighbors in the immediate vicinity of a proposed church, mosque or Hindu temple must give their consent before a permit is granted. Under proposed revisions, community members will serve as "inter-faith forums" to give approval before a church could even apply for a permit. This will give them even more power in establishing the religious make-up of a village. "If it comes down to a vote, Muslim leaders will influence others to vote against churches," Father Antonius Benny Susetyo, a spokesman for the Indonesian Bishops' Council, told Compass.

Pray God will give Indonesian Christians a spirit of wisdom for the present and great hope for the future. Pray they will draw close to the Lord in worship wherever and whenever they meet. Pray Muslims will be frustrated with their inability to stamp out Christianity and come to realize the eternal authority and love of Jesus Christ.

7:02 AM - Jan. 4, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Afghanistan's Country Summary (for 2005)

     Afghanistan held its first democratic elections in October 2004. Hamad Karzai, a member of the Pashtun Tribe, was selected to lead the country. That election and a paliamentary election in October 2005, brought new hope to the Afghan people who had experienced war and violence since the Soviet invasion in December 1979.

• Religion - Muslim: 97.89%, Parsee 1.5%, Hindu 0.35%, Traditional Ethnic 0.10%, Baha'i 0.10%, Christian 0.02%, Sikh 0.02%, and non-Religious 0.01%
• Ideological Influence - A new constitution was signed in January 2004. It recognizes Islam as the official state religion and does not acknowledge the existence of Christians in Afghanistan
• Head of State - President Hamid Karzai
• Persecution - Christians say public persecution by the government disappeared with the Taliban, but they are still not free to practice their faith openly without facing persecution from radical Muslims
• Missionary Opportunity - Considered one of the least reached countries of the world, Afghanistan has 48,000 mosques and no church buildings. There are 70 unreached people groups. Fifty languages are spoken, but only two have a New Testament and three have only portions of the Bible

10:31 AM - Dec. 31, 2005 - comments {1} - post comment

Commentary on VOM's Special Issue 2006

     I was just reading my newest Voice Of the Martyrs (VOM) magazine (The Voice of the Martyrs Special Issue 2006) and I found something very interesting and thought provoking. This is what Tom White, the Director of VOM, said:

"Only Christians hold the answer for breaking the spirit of hatred wherever it exists. In John R. Bradley's book, Saudi Arabia Exposed, this secular reporter, who was allowed to travel around the country, writes about Muslims hating Muslims. There is no love. Mosques are burned with gasoline by other Muslim factions. Tribe hates tribe. Ismaeli high school students are given 800 lashes and four years in prison for expressing different views of Islamic doctrine. We forget the answer to this chaos is very simple. Jesus can save us. We all need teh Redeemer. Today many Saudis, Iranians and others are coming to Christ."

     This was very interesting for me to read. I immediately thought of all the factions in our country over differing doctrines (we call them denominiations). I thought of all the splits in churches because there is no love. The church of Christ in these countries of persecution seems to be more pure. They're not bickering over the newest revelations or demanding that every Christian follow puritan ways. They're just simply teaching about Jesus and watching Him change their world. Another thing I notice about these Christians is that they don't wait to share their faith. They don't look around at others who "just have that gift". They take it upon themselves and preach the gospel. They are filled with hope and joy and are eager to share that with everyone they meet. That's amazing to me. A part of me wishes I were able to experience their way of Christianity and leave the U.S. brand alone. The U.S. seems to be too comfortable. God warned the Isrealites about getting too comfortable in the lands they were in because then He knew they would forget Him. These Christians in foreign countries facing persecution seem never to forget Him. He's their constant source. Being perseucted and in a third world country seeems to have heightened their trust and dependence on God. We in America think we can do everything ourselves (that's why we fight for our "rights"). There's so much in American culture today that pulls at our dependence on God. I long for the purity in needing God for everything.

9:54 AM - Dec. 31, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

Why I'm here

     I'm starting this blog to be a voice for the persecuted church. There are many happenings that are going on around the world that none of us hear about just because we're not tuned into the right channels. I've visited the Voice of the Martyrs website and seen their link to donate funds for the cause of Christ. Since I'm not presently able to fund them with as much money as I would like, I feel the most I can do is get the word out to others who possibly can fund them in my stead as well as pray for them. I'm still learning about what goes on in countries all around the world on a daily basis against the church of Christ. I hope these postings will provoke people to pray and act.

2:33 PM - Dec. 30, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

Pray for our Indian brothers and sisters in Christ

      INDIA (Compass Direct)
Christians in the Kakradara area of Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh state are living in fear after extremists barred access to their new church and beat up their pastor and visiting evangelists after a church dedication ceremony on November 5th. The pastor and evangelists were stopped by 12 men carrying long sticks. As Pastor T. Samuel, the district coordinator for Jesus Redeems Ministries, began answering their questions, one of the assailants hit Pastor Ramesh Bhuria from behind. The mob then beat all five Christians. Later, the extremists and other residents visited Bhuria's home and threatened to "cut (him) into pieces" if he continued his Christian activity in the village. The same threats were issued to other church members.

Two militant Hindu groups struck churches in Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh states on Sunday (December 4th). At least 25 members of the Hindu extremist group Dharma Sena attacked a church in Raipur, Chattisgarh state, severely beating five Christians. After beating four Christians in the church, the attackers took them and a pastor from another area church into a Hindu temple, where they tried to force them to bow down to idols. Also on Sunday, a group of 15 extremists from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh attacked a pastor in Jhabua district of the north central state of Madhya Pradesh. Police declined to arrest any of the militant Hindus, but instead detained the pastor, Anil Mehra of Indian Evangelical Team, for more than 10 hours for "disrupting public peace."

(Gospel for Asia)
Not long ago 60 new believers in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh were threatened with death if they did not return to Hinduism. We thanked God when He answered our prayers and the Christians were spared. Now, however, the place where that church was meeting has been forcefully taken over by radical Hindus and turned into a temple. It is the first time in the 26-year history of Gospel for Asia that a place of worship has been taken over and defiled as a temple. The Believers Church pastor, Ramesh Masih Bhatti, and his family have been forced to move from the building, which was their home for the past 25 years, and are now living with relatives. Local officials have done nothing about the takeover, having apparently sided with the Hindus. The leader of the Hindus in Himachal Pradesh is now threatening a massive, village-by-village campaign to force Christians to convert back to Hinduism.

Pray Christians in India will stand firm knowing they are children of God, not recognized by the world but beloved of their Father. Pray their witness will lead many to Christ. Pray the Holy Spirit will move powerfully in India, bringing glory to God.

4:44 PM - Dec. 19, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

Pray for our Egyptian brother's family

     I haven't been posting here for a while. I would like to post one everyday but sometimes it's just not feasible...

     This is a heartwrenching story of years of persecution ending in death. While we mourn for this brother killed for serving the Lord Christ, let's also not forget his family and pray for the next pastor of that church. The body needs our prayers!!

EGYPT (Compass Direct)

Under threat from Egypt's security police for holding services at his house church, a Protestant pastor has been run down by a taxi in Cairo, and subsequently died of internal bleeding and a broken skull. Pastor Ezzat Habib, his son Ibram Habib and a friend were crossing the street in Cairo's Matereya district on the evening of October 23rd, when a parked taxi pulled into the street and hit them from behind. The 58-year-old pastor was immediately taken to a local hospital where he underwent surgery the following morning but died later that day. The incident culminates two years of harassment, during which Pastor Habib was jailed and tortured.

Pray God will comfort the family and friends of Pastor Habib. Pray Christians in Egypt will remain confident in their Savior despite harassment and murder. Pray Muslims will realize they can't kill the soul (Matthew 10:28).

4:48 PM - Dec. 17, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

Pray for our Iranian brothers & sisters

Don't forget the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 13 (&20), 2005! IF YOU MISSED THE FIRST ONE, THERE'S ANOTHER CHANCE IN TWO DAYS!      I hope these aren't annoying anyone. I put them on here since it's near and dear to my heart. I've also promised to get the word out about the persecuted church. In our home school we actually pray everyday for the children and families we've read about in our Link International magazine that Voice of the Martyrs puts out for children. We pray separately for them during our devotions. With these updates I hope to make praying for those being persecuted a bit easier. The updates always include prayer guides. I also feel if you can read about what happpens to them it will impact your heart better than me just saying, "pray for them". These stories wrench my heart so I have to do something. Since I don't have much to contribute by way of finances, I'm doing what I can by praying for them myself, teaching my children to pray for them and writing about their struggles and triumphs. Prayer really does work. I hope everyone who reads these says a prayer in their hearts for those being persecuted for their faith in Christ. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ IRAN (Compass Direct) Jailed 14 months ago for converting to Christianity, former Iranian army colonel Hamid Pourmand has been allowed to visit his family on a monthly basis since August. Pourmand has reportedly developed good rapport with both guards and prisoners at Evin Prison. Despite earlier reports that Pourmand's case had been appealed before the Iranian Supreme Court, sources now say his lawyer has decided to drop the appeal out of fear it would be perpetually delayed, giving authorities an excuse to keep the Christian in prison. While in prison, Pourmand has been psychologically tortured—more than once told he would be imminently hanged, and at other times forced to listen to the screams of children. (Click here) Give thanks to God Pourmand's witness of Christian love is being rewarded with home visits. Pray the Lord will strengthen him as he undergoes physical and emotional abuse, as well as giving him an ability to pray for his torturers. Pray God will use Pourmand to help draw many to Him and His everlasting love.

11:13 AM - Nov. 18, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

Please pray for our Indonesian brothers and sisters

Don't forget the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 13 (&20), 2005! IF YOU MISSED THE FIRST ONE, THERE'S ANOTHER CHANCE IN THREE DAYS!      The devil is defiant but God's Word will stand! Pray for Christian Indonesians to have boldness to speak the Word of God.   INDONESIA (VOM-Canada) Two high school girls are in critical condition after being shot point blank on November 8th near a Pentecostal church. Ivone (last name unknown) and (Yuli) Siti Nuraini, both 17 years old, were shot by men on a motorcycle in the Gatot Subroto area of Poso. Ivone was shot in the left jaw, while Yuli was wounded in the neck. Both girls are presently in critical condition in the hospital. This incident follows the shocking attack on four Christian girls in the same city on October 29th, when three were beheaded. Hundreds of troops have been dispatched to the area. There are reports that the attackers have been arrested, but no names have yet been released. This recent shooting, however, demonstrates the danger from militant Islamic groups has not abated. Pray Jesus will comfort the families of the girls who were attacked as they await their healing and return to their homes. Pray Christians in Indonesia will remain faithful, bold and loving as they follow their Shepherd. Pray their witness will draw many into God's kingdom which cannot be shaken.

11:13 AM - Nov. 17, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

Pray for our Eritrean brothers and sisters!!

Don't forget the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 13 (&20), 2005! IF YOU MISSED THE FIRST ONE, THERE'S ANOTHER CHANCE IN FOUR DAYS!      I receive prayer alerts and news updates on what's happening around the world through Voice of the Martyrs' news and prayer update.  It's e-mailed to me every week. There are five in each newsletter. I'm going to start to post one a day during the work week so all of you can see and remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ. I'm praying for them as well!     ERITREA  (Compass Direct) The number of Eritrean Christians confirmed to be jailed for their religious beliefs has shot up to a total of 1,778, nearly double the documented count six months ago. At least 26 full-time Protestant pastors and Orthodox clergy are in jail, and their personal bank accounts frozen by government order. "Their family members are suffering (to) a great degree," according to one source. In late September, three Protestant leaders imprisoned months ago by Eritrean authorities were handed jail sentences of two and three years by sham courts. Last month police raids in several locations of Asmara and the town of Kushete landed at least 51 more Protestant Christians in police detention. Pray Jesus will draw near to the imprisoned Christians, giving them a sense of His loving presence. Pray Christians around the world will respond bountifully to the needs of the prisoners' families. Pray for a miracle of God's grace causing Eritrean authorities to cry out for the living God. Nearly 10 months after Pastor Oqbamichael Tekle-Haimonot was arrested at a wedding in western Eritrea, authorities at the Sawa military training center have released the ailing evangelical leader on bail. Pastor Haimonot, a minister in the Kale Hiwot (Word of Life) Church, suffered a severe breakdown last May after being subjected to solitary confinement, hard labor and other physical and emotional mistreatment at Sawa. Five weeks ago, security police raided the Kale Hiwot Church at their headquarters in Asmara and arrested members. They released 25 members on November 8th. Give thanks to God that these believers are no longer suffering in Eritrean prisons. Pray our loving Father will restore Pastor Tekle-Haimonot to complete mental, physical and spiritual health.

11:12 AM - Nov. 16, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

Have you prayed for the persecuted church of Christ today?

Don't forget the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 13 (&20), 2005!

PRAY NOW!!!!

     Today is the day set aside to pray for the persecuted Church of Christ around the world. Whether your church took part in this with you or not. Please set aside some time today to pray for our sisters and brothers in Christ. They need our prayers.

~Dear Lord. I thank You for Your children in other lands. Lord Jesus, I ask that You would protect them and keep them safe. Protect their safe houses from being raided so that they can meet and learn more about You. I ask that You would send out the laborers in the fields to reap the ready harvest in those countries that are hostile to You. Keep Your children courageous so that they speak Your Word no matter what they are faced with. Thank You that they already fear You more than they fear what man can do to them. Lord, I ask that You would instill that kind of devotion in all of Your children. Help us all to stand for You and not back down. In Jesus' name, amen.~

11:10 AM - Nov. 13, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

This is so cool!!!!

Don't forget the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 13 (&20), 2005!

     I received this in my news and prayer update by Voice of the Martyrs. This is so uplifting and exactly the kind of encouragement I needed to hear. Sometimes when you're praying for the persecuted church there are dasy when you get discouraged because all you hear is the bad news. I'm so glad this story was told. Read this and get encouraged to pray for our sister and brothers in Christ under persecution for their belief in Jesus!

(Religion Today)
Although China allows "belief" in a religion, the Chinese constitution does not guarantee the right to practice that religion. Adults often face severe consequences for religious actions but generally are not required to deny their faith. However, officials attempt to weaken children's faith by encouraging them to deny Jesus altogether. According to Open Doors, Public Security Bureau officers recently burst into a Sunday school room and herded 30 children into a van. Despite the scary situation, one child started singing. The van soon was filled with song. Upon arrival at the police station, the children marched bravely into the interrogation room still singing to the Lord. Threatened with having to write "I do not believe in Jesus" 100 times before they would be released, the children instead wrote: "I believe in Jesus today. I will believe in Jesus tomorrow. I will believe in Jesus forever!" Exasperated, officials called the children's parents, some of whom denied Christ. When a widowed believer came to pick up her twin sons, she refused to deny Jesus. The officers threatened her: "If you do not deny Jesus, we will not release your sons!" The widow replied, "Well, I guess you will just have to keep them, because without Jesus, there would be no way for me to take care of them!" With no avenues left open to them, the officials said, "Take your sons and go!"

Give thanks and praise to God for the faithful witness of these children. Pray the light of their faith will brighten the spiritual darkness around them. Pray God will continue to strengthen them as they face the pressures of adulthood.

11:09 AM - Nov. 8, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church of Christ

     Hey everyone! Just wanted to remind you that the day for everyone in the nation to pray for the persecuted church is coming up on Sunday the 13th or 20th of November. There are two Sundays I guess so that churches can get involved on either Sunday. You can visit The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church website for lots more information (posters, flyers, etc.) or check out the trackback I posted (if that's the way those things work. I really don't know much about them, but I did get most of this information from that post so I think the proper thing to do it trackback to it).

P.S. - Okay, I have yet to get that trackback thing to work, so if you see it there then I finally got it to work. If it's not, just go here

11:08 AM - Oct. 27, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

Praying with the children

      I just wanted to let everyone know about how important it is for us to pray with our children about those being persecuted for their faith in other countries. We started doing it about a month ago and my oldest is really getting comfortable with praying and including in her prayers the children we read about in our Link International magazine designed for children. We take a section each week and go over it until we understand. Everyday we pray for whatever we talked about in that section. When we're finished with the magazine, like we are now, we just remember to pray a general prayer for all the persecuted children and their families in the area we last discussed. It's wonderful to know I'm fostering a compassionate heart for those being persecuted for Jesus' name in my children. You can too! It's very easy. All you have to do is visit The Voice of the Martyrs and sign up for the free monthly magazine. The children's magazine should also come in t he same envelope as your adult magazine. They don't publish the children's magazine every month. It's a really good publicatoin and I just know you'll be very thankful someone is standing up and letting the voice of the martyrs be heard.

11:07 AM - Oct. 27, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

Persecution Bible Study - Part III

     Continuing on with my Bible study of persecution I'm beginning to understand more and more. Here's the last installment of my findings:

     There are many adversaries against us and our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. As I read more of this passage I see key verses that add a little here and there, but it isn't until the end of the chapter that I get my answer in verses 37-39 of Romans chapter 8 which reads:

     "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

     So that's why nothing can be against us. Nothing can take away the love of God for those that love Crhist. Jesus still loves us no matter what they do to us and we love Him back. That kind of exorbitant love calls for us to love back and we answer with our whole hearts. Can you imagine telling that to your captors? What if, in the midst of them beating you and mistreating you, you still shared the love of God with them? What if you told them, "I love you"? What if you told them that God's love is still available to them if they would just receive it? I think those words of reconciliation would stick in their hearts for the rest of their lives. I think it would melt their hard hearts and begin to soften the ground to receive the seed of the Gospel. I imagine you could reap a great harvest for the kingdom of heaven.

     As I look over verses 31-39 of Romans 8 again, I see something I failed to mention earlier. In verse 32 it says:

     "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

     Huh? I am clueless as to what this means. The first part leads me to think that since God didn't spare Christ from suffering on the cross (for a higher reason), He likewise won't spare those people persecuted for His names' sake (for a higher reason), but that is not what it says. It ends talking about God giving us all things freely. What that has to do with the first part of this verse I have no idea. I'm asking the Holy Spirit for revelation. I'm also going to ask my priest (A.K.A. - dh) for a translation.

     There's one more verse I want to meditate on. It sounds very strange to me. It's verse 36which reads:

     "As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

11:06 AM - Oct. 27, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

Persecution Bible Study - Part II

      I started this study on persecution early in September. You can read the first part here. I have since found out why the persecuted endure such suffernings. I'll continue my study now:

     While reading 2 Timothy 2:12,13 I looked up a reference which was Romans 8:17. That scripture says:

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together."

     That  just solidified 2 Timothy 2:12,13 for me. I kept on reading and eventually got to verse 18 that says:

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

     I understand that to mean I should not be making a big deal about the atrocities, but make a big deal about the glory that will be revealed in them. Those that are being persecuted are probably not thinking much about this scripture while they're being tortured or beaten, but this is their inheritence nonetheless. The thinking of glorifying God is backwards to how the world is. All the world focuses on is what they can see, which leads me to my next meditation form verse 24, 25 that say:

"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

     They are patiently awaiting their hevenly reward of being with Jesus. They're also waiting for their great hevenly rewards. Joyce Meyer once said, "Don't wnat what we (many prosperous Christian leaders) have unless you're willing to go through what we went through to get it.Those persecuted Christians on earth are going to be some extremely happy spirits in heavenly eternity. I'm reminded of Revelations. There are crowns taht are promised those "that endure". All throughout the Bible heavenly rewards are mentioned. So this is what the persecuted Christians are hoping for. The scripture goes on, in verse 31, to say:

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"

     Now that I see that verse in context it bears more power, but there's still something missing for me.... (to be continued)

11:05 AM - Sep. 27, 2005 - comments {0} - post comment

Missionaries

Persecution