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This morning I was reading through one of my favorite bible study sites, StudyLight, and I saw this quote...
So I am justified, that is, “I'm just-as-if-I'd never sinned.” - Richard Wurmbrand (1909-2001)
I always wondered who coined that...now I know.
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Earlier today I noted that Concerned Women for America did a 14 minute interview with Dr. Carl Moeller from the ministry of Open Doors. In the interview Martha and Carl discussed the plight of Christians in Iraq, Iran, North Korean, China, and Africa.
The interview was very encouraging and I want to encourage you to check it out if you can. Click here to listen now.
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On January 26, 2007, Hua Huidi and his 76-year-old mother were attacked and wounded by seven police officers while walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing, China.
According to China Aid Association (CAA), Hua, an active house-church member in Beijing, and his mother were kicked on the ground and later taken to the Olympic Police Station for questioning. “When Hua asked the police to release his sick mother and explain the legal ground for the detention, he was beaten repeatedly. While the temperature in Beijing was in the 20s, cold water was poured on him. He was later taken to a detention center,” CAA said.
Hua’s family learned that he was sentenced to one month of criminal detention.
"Brother Hua is a faithful Christian seeking only to serve the Lord in accordance with his conscience,” said Todd Nettleton of The Voice of the Martyrs. “The Chinese government says they ensure freedom of religion, but this case clearly shows the truth. We urge Chinese leaders in Beijing to release our Christian brother immediately.”
Pray God will protect Hua and his mother in the midst of this difficult time. Ask Him to comfort their family and for Christians in China to remain steadfast in their relationship with Christ amidst great persecution
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Christians in Iran are showing resilience amidst escalating persecution by the government. The underground-church movement is growing and the church is expanding.
The Voice of the Martyrs recently received information from an Iranian contact that the government is increasing pressure on Christians to leave. “The government of Iran wants Christians to leave. They are increasing persecution and want them out of the country. They think driving out Christians will stop the spread of Christianity,” the VOM source said.
He added believers have lost their homes, jobs and property as a result of converting from Islam to Christianity. The Iranian government uses, fear, threats, harassment, “staged” accidents, jail and the death penalty against Christians.
VOM is helping Christians in Iran. This past summer VOM published a book called, Iran: Desperate for God with testimonies from the underground church. Many believe Iran has the fastest growing Muslim-convert-to Christ “church” in the world. Pray God gives Christians in Iran boldness to be faithful and share the gospel for Him.
Why not buy the book today for only $8 - you can learn more about Iran and also support VOM at the same time.
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Pastor Norbu Promila was pleased with the service as he preached to the tribal people in the mountains of Bhutan. Those gathered seemed especially attentive and open to the Good News. Then in the middle of the sermon, police rushed in through every door, stormed the stage, and forcibly grabbed Norbu.
Pastor Promila was thrown in prison and tortured, and the authorities ordered him to forsake his call to preach the gospel. He received massive head injuries, and when authorities finally let him go, there was permanent damage to his body. He returned home, where his wife and children were shocked at his bruised and bloodied face. Ten days later, he died as a result of his wounds.
Pastor Promila’s congregation in this militant Hindu kingdom refused to give up his mission. Shortly after his death, they met together and called for volunteers to continue Norbu’s work among the tribal people. Five hands went up, one of which belonged to his wife. She answered God’s call to missions while also caring for her five children.
She ministered faithfully, and she and the other workers have seen many tribal people won to Christ. God provided for her needs and her children’s. Mrs. Promila held fast to the knowledge that one day she would see her husband again and be rewarded for her faithfulness to Christ.
What we do for the Lord is not just a job—it’s a mission. A mission is never about a single person’s responsibilities. It is singly focused on Christ and his kingdom. Therefore, someone at the helm of God’s work in a particular area may leave, but the mission itself never dies. God’s work is never left undone. It goes on forever to its completion. Those who are willing to undergo persecution for their faith teach us about the meaning of mission. They recognize that there are only two things that last for eternity—God’s work and human souls. When we are willing to invest our lives in these things, we are involved in a mission with eternal significance.
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Earlier this week I asked for entries for this weeks persecution blog round-up. I received two entries and now you get the blessing of reading the words of the ones who love the persecuted church.
First, we have Supply the Word giving us a post called The Persecution Continues to Spread. Michael took the time to compare a few news stories about Christian persecution. I think you'll find what he wrote very interesting. Be sure to check it out.
Our second, and last entry is from The Pen of the Wayfarer who writes about Opening Your Heart to the Persecuted. I love this entry because the post talks about Anne Frank and also describes the thoughts of the writer as if it were them. Please read it.
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Earlier this week I was writing a column for my newsletter and I wrote about asking. I was trying to convey that for Christians to be active Christians one of the things we need to do is ask God for things and also ask others for help or information or whatever it is we need. I then shared a story about how God answered my prayer and awarded me a grand prize at an event I was invited to. And not because I asked to win the prize, but because I had asked God to "pick me" to do something great for Him.
Which brings me to the title of this post - When Was the Last Time You Gave to VOM? Seriously...when was it? I'm wondering because I've found in the few years I've worked with people and especially many ministries people often say they pray, but I rarely hear people say they actually donated also. In fact, I was talking to a friend of mine who has another persecution ministry and they told me that usually what happens is that people who pray are the ones who give.
I know for me, the Lord has really convicted me about blessing the ministries that bless me. And I highly recommend you give to your local church first, and then to the ministries that you know and love. Personally, I hope VOM is one of them, because I can assure you the blessings you give, are directly used to minister to our family who is suffering. They need bibles, clothes, and many other things that we have and they don't. Would you give something today to help out? You will be blessed because you gave, and those who will benefit will also be blessed. To me, that's the best investment.
You can donate online through the VOM bookstore. Check it out, I think you may even find something you like.
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This is breaking news straight from VOM Media...
A team of Pakistani Christian evangelists supported by The Voice of the Martyrs was attacked and beaten after handing out more than 13,000 Christian tracts at a Muslim festival in Pakpattan, Pakistan on Friday, January 26th.
Three members of the four-member team were roughed up by radical Muslims then taken to the police station, where they were detained and questioned before being released.
However, the fourth evangelist, the, leader of the team was badly beaten by a mob of more than 100 angry Muslims, who then dragged him through the crowd before taking him to the police station. He was beaten so severely that he reported blood in his urine and his stool. VOM contacts are taking him to a hospital for medical care.
Tens of thousands of Muslims gather for similar conferences each year, where they are lectured to stand up for their faith and follow the Koran’s instructions on how to handle apostates.
“We are thrilled to stand with such courageous Christians,” said VOM’s Todd Nettleton. “These men bravely carried Christ’s message of love to some of those who need it most, even though it was costly to do so. We are blessed to be able to provide medical care for them, and to continue to provide gospel materials to Pakistani Christians who risk so much to live for Christ.”
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This is an amazing testimony of God's faithfulness and the faithfulness of two of His persecuted followers. As you read this, pretend it was you in that situation and imagine how you may react.
PAKISTAN – On November 15, 2006, Shahzad and Saraj Bashir, 18 and 20 years old respectively, escaped bondage and torture at the hands of their brick kiln owner. Shazad and Saraj told a VOM worker in Pakistan, the brick kiln owner had kidnapped them and kept them in a secret location where they were tortured and beaten in an attempt to force them to convert from Christianity to Islam.
“When Shahzad and Saraj refused to convert, the brick kiln owner took them away. He put them in a small empty room with a mud floor without a bed, chair or mattress. He kept them there for a month. He gave them food once a day and beat them with a stick when they refused to convert back to Islam. He also threw acid on their arms, but they remained true to their Christ,” the VOM worker said.
When Shahzad’s family started working on the kiln, they were paid between 200 to 300 rupees for one thousand bricks. After a month the owner stopped paying them, but instead told Shahzad’s family they owed him 45,000 rupees ($744). “What angered the brick kiln owner more were the prayer meetings conducted by Pastor Emmanuel. Christians attended the prayer meetings and refused converting to Islam,” the worker added.
Throughout Shahzad and Saraj’s captivity, they prayed daily and asked God to rescue them and He did. “On November 15 when they discovered the door was open, they bowed before God and thanked Him for the miracle and then escaped,” the worker said. The brothers ran for eight days, without food, until they reunited with their family.
The brothers are still fearful of the kiln owner and have moved from the area close to the brick kiln. The owner is still looking for Shahzad and Saraj to repay their debt. Pray God protects them as they relocate to new areas. Ask God to give them strength and resilience to remain faithful. Pray God will use their testimony to draw other Muslims in Pakistan to Himself.
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This week I learned, in detail, the plight of Christians in Iran . Even though I had “some” knowledge of what is happening to our courageous brothers and sisters around the world, hearing about Iran led me to ask myself what I would do if I were placed in their situation?
Christians in Iran are losing their jobs, end up homeless and are pushed out of the country by a government that does not want Christianity to spread. I felt empathetic about their circumstances, but I knew there was more required of me. There are times we hear something and get overwhelmed, feel empathy and move on. This was not one of those times for me.
I asked God to show me how I can pray for our persecuted family. I am challenged and amazed at the strength and resilience these believers show. They know the Living King because such strength to endure prison, torture, and beatings can only come from God. My hearts desire is for God to give me strength and resilience, so when I am faced with challenges, I can stand for Him, in all circumstances – bringing glory to His name - Philippians 3:10. I challenge you to pray for our family in Iran . We many never know what they face, but God will watch over them. He will allow their testimonies to draw Muslims in relationship with Him.
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