Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
The Voice of the Martyrs devotion is about EXTREME READINESS...
Just as Pastor Li Dexian began his sermon, the doors of the house Church burst open. Armed officers of the Chinese Public Security Bureau poured into the room, threatening everyone present and grabbing Li to arrest him.
"Wait, please allow me to grab my bag." As always, the Pastor's tone with the officers was polite yet firm.
The officers were surprised at the request. "What's in there?" they demanded, grabbing the black zippered bag Li held and ripping it open. The bag contained a blanket and a change of clothes, Li told them, because he had been expecting to be arrested that day.
Pastor Li had been arrested many times. Twice, police had beaten him to the point that he vomited blood, and one time Li's face was beaten with his own BIBLE. Li was warned that police were watching the village where he held his Tuesday meeting. He knew if he showed up to preach, he would be imprisoned. Today, Chinese citizens can be sent to labor camps for up to three years without a formal trial.
The risks were great, but Li's bag was packed. More than having a bag packed... he had his mind and heart prepared. He was willing to pay any cost to preach the gospel. He was convinced GOD would care for him...even in prison.
Readiness is a sign of commitment. Commitment that is unprepared to sacrifice is merely compromise in disguise. For example, consider the marriage commitment. It costs one's selfishness and deals a heavy blow to one's sense of independence. However, the result is a stronger marriage. Relationships that are not ready to sacrifice for the sake of commitment do not last. Compromise takes a steady toll and weakens our desire and ability to be committed. In the same way, the believer's commitment to CHRIST must exact a price in order to maintain its value. We must prepare for the test of our commitment by daily affirming that Christianity is worth it. It's worth spending our time in daily prayer. It's worth gathering for worship at Church. It's worth enduring hardship and trial, abuse, and even arrest for the privilege of maintaining our commitment without compromise.
Are you ready my friends?
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
"Will you choose to live or die? What do you say?"
The questioner was Henry VIII, the king of England, who had unrestrained power in the land. The "criminal" who stood before him, charged with heresy, was John Lambert, a Greek and Latin tutor.
Lambert audaciously challenged his pastor for delivering a sermon that didn't agree with Scripture. Lambert was brought before the archbishop of Canterbury and later before King Henry. Quoting from the Scriptures and explaining the original Greek. Lambert presented his case to an assembly of bishops, lawyers, justices, and peers. The two sides argued strenuously back and forth until Henry, bored with it , presented Lambert with a final choice: "After all the reasons and instructions of these knowledgeable men, are you now satisfied? Will you choose to live or die? What do you say?
Lambert took a deep breath and answered confidently, "I commend my soul to the hands of GOD, but my body I give to your clemency."
"You must die, "Henry answered scornfully, "for I will not be a patron to heretics." Convicted of heresy, Lambert was unbowed in his slow, torturous death. He lifted up his hands in worship, declaring, "None but CHRIST! None but CHRIST!"
In the modern age of possibilities, our right to choose has grown nearly insatiable. Two hundred television channels are a "basic" right, tantamount to freedom itself. We want options. Variety. Assortment. Even Mundane decisions are delivered daily to your doorstep: what to wear, eat, drive, or do. However, our choices are no longer utilitarian, they are virtually limitless. In contrast, when life's greater questions come to us, we have only answer to give: "None but CHRIST." Is there another way to HEAVEN? None but CHRIST...HE IS THE WAY. Is there another priority in life that deserves one's full devotion? NONE BUT CHRIST...HE IS SUPREME. Can someone else satisfy the longing of the human heart? NONE BUT CHRIST can satisfy. Truth has no alternative. When life's greater questions come, and they will, are you prepared to testify that of all the possibilities "NONE BUT CHRIST" will satisfy?
What will you choose?
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
I am posting this article from "The Voice of the Martyrs" in honor of a VOM worker known as "Alexander" and for others who willingly give of themselves to the point of death. GOD Bless you all as you walk in the midst of your mission field.
This article really touched my heart! I know it is lengthy, but worth the read! May it bless you as it has blessed me.
We hear the stories of those who have been killed for their faith and we can become angry. We want those responsible brought to justice, however, Matthew 5:44 says, "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." What is the role of the church in winning our enemies to CHRIST? How do we practice this "LOVE"?
Our founder, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, always spoke of the need to love one's enemies. While speaking at a pro-life rally, Rev. Wurmbrand applauded those willing to stand up for the life of the unborn. He also asked if the protesters had invited the abortion doctors into their homes and cooked them a nice meal.
In Columbia, a VOM co-worker recently reached out a to a guerrilla commander with extreme kindness. His story may be controversial. Some may feel the mission worker is guilty of aiding and abetting a terrorist. His response would be that the BIBLE teaches us to "overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)
"Alexander" has been called to reach out to the FARC guerrillas in Columbia. Along with his co-workers, he frequently travels to very dangerous areas to distribute Bibles and Christian books, including those by Rev. Wurmbrand. Alexander has been shot at, threatened with execution, and has had his workers kidnapped.
On a recent trip through a guerrilla camp, guerrillas told him, "Our commander can no longer walk and lives with unbearable pain. We have been carrying him on a stretcher for days. We would like for you to help him and return him to us."
It would have been easy for Alexander, who had been intimidated, harassed and threatened by guerrillas, to say, "Good, a commander cannot walk, that's great for me." But Alexander saw it another way. He agreed to take the commander , Leonardo, home with him. He took home a man who presided over dozens of guerrillas, who landed his top position by killing, kidnapping and causing general havoc. Alexander put this injured man in his son's room. He gave the commander food and clothes, and took him to Christian doctors.
Doctors discovered Leonardo had multiple hernias in his back that were cutting into his nervous system. A specialized surgery was required to relieve his pain. Alexander was determined to help Leonardo get well. Most people would struggle to help their friendly neighbor in such a way, yet Alexander was willing to help Leonardo. It was more than the guerrillas could ever do for him.
Abandoned by his single mom and forced to live with an uncle, Leonardo was known as a "troubled kid". At age 12, Leonardo burned down a neighbor's house with a young girl still inside. His uncle, also a guerrilla, thought giving Leonardo to the guerrillas was a good thing. The youngster seemed to have the aptitude for aggression required for a new recruit and the training might give him some discipline.
Leonardo proved to be ruthless. He had no issues with assassinations and kidnappings. And he knew how to obey orders no matter how violent or dangerous. At age 20, Leonardo became a guerrilla commander. A few years later, he was appointed to oversee an exclusive unit assigned to protect the top guerrilla leaders.
It took over a month for Alexander to get Leonardo the surgery, followed by five months of recovery. During that time Alexander's family took care of the ailing guerrilla commander. His wife cooked his meals, and his son showed him how to play video games. They all shared Christmas and their faith in Christ with him.
When Alexander gave him a present at their family Christmas gathering, Leonardo began to cry. "I have never been to a Christmas gathering, and no one has ever given me a present. And I have nothing to give you." Alexander told him, "Having you here as a part of our family is your gift to us."
Shortly after Christmas, it was time for Leonardo to go back to the guerrilla camp, but before going back, he set a three-day speaking tour for Alexander through a number of different guerrilla camps. These were camps Alexander would have never had access to without someone like Leonardo. With Leonardo now serving as his personal bodyguard, Alexander was free to enter these camps and preach as much as he wanted. Even if the other guerrillas were upset, they did not protest because of Leonardo.
Alexander was also able to pray with many of the guerrillas and distribute Bibles and VOM literature. Leonardo has not accepted CHRIST as of this writing, but has certainly been moved by the love of those often considered to be his enemy. Leonardo considered not returning to the guerrilla camps, but not returning risked Alexander's life and that of his family's.
Christians working in hostile and restricted nations face unique challenges, and it takes boldness and tenacity...an extreme devotion to build GOD'S KINGDOM among the persecutors. Some workers have been spared, while others have paid with the ultimate price. May we take courage in their boldness and share in their love of CHRIST.
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!
Today's Voice of the Martyrs devotion is about being an "Extreme Missionary".
"If you promise to carry your cross, it will be a life full of thorns, mountains, and difficulties," the Pakistani teenager said in a firm voice. Saleema, a Christian who lives in Muslim-dominated Pakistan, shared her faith with a schoolmate, Raheela, who later accepted CHRIST.
Raheela's incensed family charged Saleema with "converting a Muslim," a charge that can carry the death penalty in Pakistan. Saleema and her Pastor were arrested, and her parents were questioned and beaten by police. Saleema was abused while in police custody, but she would not deny her faith. In fact, she softly sang Christian songs in jail, hoping to draw others to CHRIST.
Raheela fled her home, but her family hunted her down. When they offered her a final chance to recant her faith and return to Mohammed, she refused. For her "crime", her own family executed Raheela.
Saleema went through lengthy court hearings. Raheela's family blamed her for their daughter's death. Eventually the charges were dropped. But Saleema's life will never be the same. She was forced to move to another part of Pakistan for fear of radical Muslims killing her. Yet the thorns, mountains, and difficulties have not dimmed her faith. In fact, she is preparing to serve as a missionary. She says, "No matter how big the mountain, JESUS will help you overcome!"
Missionaries are often mischaracterized as a sort of special forces, a unique troop in GOD'S army of faith which acts on our behalf. The truth is, every believer is called to be a missionary. Some of GOD'S most valuable work may take place around the kitchen table, having coffee, in a next door neighbor's house. The heart of our mission remains the same wherever our mission may take us. We are bound to share the love of CHRIST. For some, sharing their faith with their closest friends would be a personal feat of heroic proportions. For others, a variety of cultural contexts will form their mission field. The measure of our mission is not what is important. It is our motivation that counts.
To what extreme are you willing to go to share the good news of CHRIST?
Philemon 6 says, That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in CHRIST JESUS.
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!
Yesterday I posted an article from the "Voice of the Martyrs" devotions. The LORD has led me to post a few more over the next few days. I hope you will read for yourselves the stories of hardships our brothers and sisters have endured, and continue to endure to this very day in countries where being a Christian is a crime.
The following is taken from Voice of Martyrs...
"Tell him, Timothy, please!" shouted Maura, pleading with her husband. "Tell the governor where the SCRIPTURES are hidden and be free! I cannot bear to watch any more of this." Timothy and Maura, residents of the Roman province of Mauritania, had been married only a few short weeks before their arrest.
Maura had watched in horror as soldiers put out her husband's eyes with hot irons, trying to break his will. Now, hanging upside down with a weight around his neck on the orders of the Roman governor Arrianus, Timothy waited for his gag to be removed. The fear he initially felt at his arrest had been replaced with a sense of divine calm.
Instead of renouncing his faith and disclosing the location of his Church's copies of the SCRIPTURES, as the soldiers expected, Timothy scolded his young wife "Do not let your love for me come before your love for CHRIST," he urged Maura, affirming his willingness and determination to die for his SAVIOR. Seeing her husband's courage, Maura's own resolve was strengthened.
Arrianus, already in a rage at Timothy's refusal, set out to break Maura's newfound courage. He sentenced her to the harshest tortures of the Roman world. Yet she would not break. She refused to deny CHRIST.
After each had endured unspeakable suffering, Timothy and Maura were crucified, side by side.
JESUS did not entrust HIS ministry to independent believers, HE established a spiritual family. HE used words like "Brother" and "Sister" to convey the idea HE did not expect HIS disciples to be in this alone. Paul continued CHRIST'S mission by instructing new believers to gather in Churches for fellowship and corporate worship. Christians need each other, especially in times of trial. When one believer falters, fellow believers rally in support and encouragement. This is why the New Testament regards the duty of living by example of faith and courage can inspire and unite others to follow suit. Conversely, when one believer cracks under the pressure of persecution, it is easier for others to give in as well. History holds high the camaraderie of Christian community, especially during persecution.
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from JESUS CHRIST our LORD!
I was reading in the "The Voice of The Martyrs" today and found a great piece I would like pass along to you. This article really spoke to my heart and I hope it speaks to you as well.
"The Voice of The Martyrs" is a magazine that tells the stories of Christian suffering in other countries. We have the freedom to worship, but in certain countries it is a crime to have a relationship with JESUS.
The following story is from Voice of The Martyrs...
Ranavalona 1, the queen of Madagascar, hated the Christians in her kingdom. Her complaints against them were many: they despised her idols, they were always praying, they always went to Church, and their women were chaste. She sent officers to gather all those suspected of being Christians to bring them to trial.
Sixteen hundred believers, when the charges were read, announced confidently, "Guilty." They would not deny the charges, for to do so would be to deny CHRIST. The Queen offered them a second chance to deny CHRIST and bow to her idols, but each refused. They were thrown into dark, dank dungeons, and many were executed. The Queen was angered more, because for each Christian she had killed, twenty more rose up. ( HA HA I love that! No one can get rid of GOD!!!)
Later, the Queen ordered that fifteen Christians be executed. They were to be thrown over a cliff into a rocky ravine 150 feet below. The Queen's idols were taken to the top of the cliff, and each Christian was lowered slightly over the edge, tied with ropes.
"Will you worship your CHRIST or the Queen's god's?" the soldiers asked each Christian hanging over the precipice.
Each Christian answered, simply, "CHRIST." The ropes were cut, and they plunged to the rocks. Some sang as they fell to their deaths. One young girl was spared and declared insane. She later founded a large Church. ( WOW!! I love that)
In most countries, defendants are presumed innocent until they are proven guilty. The underlying principle is that there must be a substantial amount of evidence to convict a person of a crime. Expressing one's faith in CHRIST is often a government offense in many countries where the roles of the justice system are reversed. Believers are guilty until proven otherwise. One would have to reject CHRIST in order to be innocent... in a human, earthly courtroom. However, in HEAVEN'S courtroom, the guilty verdict is actually a victory. "Extreme guilt" means providing so much evidence of one's faith in CHRIST that there is no way to be acquitted of the charge! The familiar paradox is worth repeating: IF YOU WERE ON TRIAL FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN TODAY, WOULD THERE BE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVICT YOU?????
MMMMMM?? I hope so friends!
A Vietnamese Christian Pastor imprisoned for his faith said this, "We have learned that suffering is not the worst thing in the world...disobedience to GOD is the worst.
WOW!!!
I hope this article blesses you as it has blessed me!
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD JESUS CHRIST,
I want to thank you for the sweet responses for yesterdays post. I have felt GOD's love blanket over me through you. I am so in awe of HIS SWEET LOVE!
As I was laying down my burden from Sunday, The LORD recalled the story of Moses to my mind. Do you remember when Moses was a baby and his family tried to hide him from the soldiers who were ordered to kill every male child two years old and younger? After some time Moses became harder to hide from the soldiers, so his mom made him a little wicker basket and place her precious wee one inside and pushed it down into the reeds. As a mother how could she have just put him in the water like that? Well, I believe she had faith in GOD, and she trusted GOD completely with her burden.
Was it difficult for her to do that? Yes, I bet it was! It takes incredible faith to place your child into a basket and send it down stream into the unknown. Wow! That is faith my friends!
Well, we all know what happens, the baby is found by the Pharaoh's daughter, and she wanted him for her own, so she had Moses sister go get their mother to nurse him until he was at an age to be taken...and the mother got paid to nurse her own child...LOL!!! I just think that is great!
Moses was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter and he grew to be used by GOD to set the captives free from Egypt.
Wow! I wonder what GOD has in store for my children. What exciting things they will do in the name of GOD! I am so excited!!!!
It starts out first by trust...trusting in the ONE and ONLY TRUE LIVING GOD, who is waiting and ready to forgive sins of any who will cry out to HIM. If you have burdens, lay them in the basket and send them down the river of forgiveness for GOD to take care of. GO ahead, lay them down, and let GOD give you rest. Then watch out, there is always an adventure when you serve the LORD.
Whoever says that being a Christian is boring, certainly has never been a Christian!!! LOL!!
I am not sure if any of this makes sense to you all, but it is what is on my heart at this moment. LOL!!
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