Persecution Blog

Christians Intentionally Neglected by Government

    This story is heartbreaking and not only because Myanmar (aka Burma) has neglected some of the Christian communities after a devastating earthquake, but it would bother me if they neglected any segment of the population that needed help.

Mission Network News is reporting about how the government in Burma has neglected these communities. "John" from the wonderful ministry of Vision Beyond Borders relayed the following information:

Out of more than 40 affected villages, close to 20 are Christian villages, reports "John" with Vision Beyond Borders. These 20 have received little assistance, if any, despite their extreme conditions.

Recently, John traveled to a few Christian villages suffering from the natural disaster. He discovered that they had received no government attention whatsoever.

"[The government has] set up some tents just to look nice, but when you really go up there, you don't see any help or any organizations to help there--to meet the needs of the people," explains John. "There are a few ethnic groups called ‘Akha' [and] ‘Lahu.' Mainly those ethnic groups are Christians, and there is no help going there at all."

Interestingly, the government has done a great deal to help Buddhists in the quake aftermath. Buddhists have historically taken priority over Christians in a regime which John says is against Christianity.

"In Burma, it is indeed kind of persecution. It is not just the first time. Even last time, when we had the Nargis Cyclone in the Delta region, [the government] never handed out help to those Christian families and villages in the Delta region. They only sent out first to the Buddhist villages and towns," remembers John. "So, the same case is happening here."

You may learn more at Mission Network News.  Please pray for the Christians in Burma and ask the Lord to provide all of their needs, even if the government is not helping them.

Afghan Christian Convert Released Who Was in Jail at the Same Time as Said Musa

I love to share good news and I know you enjoy reading it, so I'm very happy to share with you that Shoaib Assadullah, 23 was recently released from jail and is now in a safe location.

The Christian Post is reporting...

Shoaib Assadullah, 23, was threatened with execution for charges of apostasy after giving a Bible to a man who later reported him to authorities. Assadullah was in prison for five months before he was released on bail on March 30. But it was not until April 14 that the Afghan convert to Christianity from Islam received a passport and was able to leave Afghanistan to an undisclosed safe country.

The article goes on to say...

The young Afghan convert’s release comes about a month after fellow convert Said Musa was released after international outcry, including from evangelical leaders such as Rick Warren and John Piper.

Musa’s case set off unprecedented advocacy by evangelical leaders, who engaged in a Twitter campaign to demand Musa’s release, perhaps because he was a 45-year-old amputee and father of six who refused to renounce his faith in Jesus Christ despite facing death for his religious belief.

“My body is theirs to do what they want with. Only God can decide if my spirit goes to hell,” Musa had wrote in a letter sneaked out of prison and made public to the Western world.

In both the cases of Musa and Assadullah, months of aggressive international diplomacy is credited for their freedom.

Please let this story be a reminder to continue to pray for Christians in Afghanistan.  We see the Lord's hand and favor on our two brothers in this case, but there are many others who need deliverance also.  Thank you for being faithful in your prayers.

Getting A Bible In Our Churches Is Like Getting A Kilogram of Gold

If you are not a fan of The Voice of the Martyrs yet on our Facebook page, may I invite you to join today.  Currently we have over 92,200 fans and we would love for you to join us.  Click here to join the VOM Facebook page.‎

This morning on the Facebook page the following quote was posted...

"Getting a Bible in our churches is like getting a kilogram of gold." -pastor in Nepal who received Bibles to distribute through our Bibles Unbound program.

If you're like me, this probably convicts you and makes you compelled to read your bible.  I know when I read statements like this, my first thought is when was the last time I read my bible and the second thought is that I am so blessed to have more copies of the Holy Bible than I will ever need, while many of my brothers and sisters don't even own one copy!  It truly compels me to pray and to remain thankful for the blessing of the scriptures I own.

However, it also reminds me to be faithful in my giving to the Voice of the Martyrs Bibles Unbound program.  We have shared this great program with you a number of times, but let me share it with you again.

As one astute Facebook commenter said this morning...

It's amazing that there are around 20,000 bible sent out each month by VOM, yet the number of people waiting stays over 50,000. Praise God that so many are thirsty for truth.

Great observation and we see that right now, as of the time of this writing, the Bibles Unbound website lists 1, 633,735 bibles that have already been sent and 63, 840 individuals still waiting for a bible.

So I would like to ask you to put your faith in Jesus in action.  Consider the joy your brother or sister in Christ is going to receive when they receive their very own copy of God's word.

Consider that this bible will no doubt touch more lives than the one person it will be mailed to.

Consider how affordable it is to bring the living words of eternal life to someone who is thirsty for that living water.

For a tax deductible donation of only $30 a month, you can sign up and send 5 bibles to someone in need.

Step out today and deliver what is way better than gold!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP AT BIBLES UNBOUND TODAY

Christian Convert Murdered -- Example to Other Muslims

Somalia (MNN) ― The Christian community continues to be targets of anti-Christian violence in the African nation of Somalia. The home of increasing amounts of piracy on the seas, the home-grown terrorism from al Shabaab continues to be a source of concern for Christians there.

Greg Musselman with Voice of the Martyrs, Canada says 21 year old Hassan Adawe Adan was gunned down by two Muslim extremists connected to the terrorist group. "He had converted from Islam to Christianity several months ago. And it was found out that he was a Christian. He was dragged out of his house, and he was shot and killed."

According to Musselman, this is a planned killing. "When they do these murders they want the publicity. It's very much used as a fear tactic to any Muslim that might even consider becoming a Christian. It also puts fear into the hearts of believers there in Somalia."

According to Compass Direct News, area Christians said they suspected someone had informed the Islamic militants of his conversion. One source said that a relative who belonged to al Shabaab had told Adan's mother that he suspected her son was a Christian.

The good news, says Musselman, is that this proves one thing. "When these kinds of situations happen, it also reminds us that God is at work. And because He's at work, persecution is happening because the Gospel is active; things are happening [people are coming to Christ]."

READ MORE AT MISSION NETWORK NEWS

VOM Prayer Calendar Now An Apple App for iPhone & iPads

The Voice of the Martyrs is pleased to announce the brand new release of our Apple Prayer Calendar app.

Christians around the world all share one request: "Please pray for us!" This app will update each day with a new prayer request for hostile and restricted nations around the world.

Features include:
*365 days of prayer requests
*Daily prayer alert alarm
*Restricted and hostile nation information
*Persecution news and information
*Prayer sharing via Facebook, Twitter, and email

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NOW!

The Silent Extermination of Iraq's 'Christian Dogs'

Raymond Ibrahim has written a very impacting article over on the Middle East Forum about how Christians in Iraq are being persecuted.  This is a very sobering article and posits that Christians have been more persecuted since 2003 in Iraq since the United States ousted Saddam Hussein.  Here are a few snippets...

Last week an Iraqi Muslim scholar issued a fatwa that, among other barbarities, asserts that "it is permissible to spill the blood of Iraqi Christians." Inciting as the fatwa is, it is also redundant. While last October's Baghdad church attack which killed some sixty Christians is widely known—actually receiving some MSM coverage—the fact is, Christian life in Iraq has been a living hell ever since U.S. forces ousted the late Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Among other atrocities, beheading and crucifying Christians are not irregular occurrences; messages saying "you Christian dogs, leave or die," are typical. Islamists see the church as an "obscene nest of pagans" and threaten to "exterminate Iraqi Christians." John Eibner, CEO of Christian Solidarity International, summarized the situation well in a recent letter to President Obama:

Read the full story here.  As you read, please pray for Christians in Iraq today who are living under these conditions.

 

 

Demeter's Christlike Attitude Never Wavered

Demeter suffered for many years in Communist prisons. He had remained strong in spirit during his confinement, but his body was beginning to wear down. There was a certain prison warden who amused himself by beating on Demeter’s spine with a hammer, which permanently paralyzed him. But Demeter’s Christlike attitude never wavered, and he was eventually released from prison.

    Twenty years later, he heard a knock at the front door of his home. He was shocked to see the same prison warden who had so cruelly beat on his spine and paralyzed him years before standing before him. Still, Demeter did not waver in his expression of faith.
    

Even before Demeter could offer a greeting, the former warden said, “I realize I can never be forgiven for what I have done to you. It was too heinous. But please just listen to my words of apology and then I will leave.”

    Demeter paused only for a moment as he gazed with compassion and wonder at the man. He replied softly, “For twenty years I have prayed for you daily. I have waited for you. Twenty years ago, I forgave you already.” If we are willing to show love and forgiveness to everyone—even those who have hurt us—then the love of Christ can conquer all.

Most people will never suffer deliberate physical torment. However, the wounds that others inflict upon us emotionally can be just as devastating. Memories of unkind words, a betrayal by a friend, a bitter divorce, can stay with us for a lifetime. We are tempted to hold a grudge, or even perhaps to exact revenge against the offender. Forgiveness does not come naturally to us, but it is inseparable from God’s nature. If we have tasted God’s grace, then we can allow others to share in God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness does not depend on the offender’s asking for it first. It is an act of obedience, as well as an act of faith. Ask God to open your heart to the miracle of true forgiveness.

If you enjoyed this devotion, please buy the book Extreme Devotion and get all of the other devotions we have written to encourage you.

Good Friday is the Christian Example of Persecution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today is the day that Christians all over the world remember the tremendous and holy sacrifice of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  We call it Good Friday and it's interesting to me because for some reason there are many people who do not understand why it is called "Good Friday".

Afterall, what is good about a sinless man who claimed to be the Christ that Israel was waiting for, being scouraged and beaten beyond recognition?  What is good about the mother of Christ having her heart broken and the disciples of Christ being scared out of their minds that even they ran away and denied who He was?

This is not some pretend story that religious people all over the world just believe because it's interesting.  No, it's a historical fact that the man Jesus, who was known as the Christ, willingly walked a dusty road and bore the cross, where He would die for the sin of the whole world.

But the story is even greater than that, for Jesus didn't merely take up his cross and willingly stay put so that men could nail him on the cross, but He endured so much more.

Isaiah 53 tell us the whole story.  But let's highlight a few things so we can remember what Jesus did.

Isaiah 53:3-5

He was ^(D)despised and forsaken of men,
         A man of sorrows and ^(E)acquainted with grief;
         And like one from whom men hide their face
         He was ^(F)despised, and we did not ^(G)esteem Him.

Have you ever felt despised?  How about forsaken of men?  Have you ever cried, wept, and mourned and felt like it would never end?  Have you ever wanted to hide?  Have you ever been despised and hated?

Jesus knows.  He has too.

    ⁴Surely our ^[b]griefs He Himself ^(H)bore,
         And our sorrows He carried;
         Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
         Smitten of ^(I)God, and afflicted.

Did you know that your griefs and your sorrow Jesus, Himself, carried alone?  No one helped him.  No one ever cared to offer help.  Many mocked him because He loved that much.  Yet, Jesus did it.

Have you ever been smitten of God or afflicted by God?  Smitten means to be struck, as with a hard blow.  Afflicted means to be troubled greatly with mental or bodily pain...has God ever done that to you?

It's one thing to be attacked and hurt by man, but what if GOD did that to you...would you stand?

Jesus was and He took it...for you.

    ⁵But He was ^[c]pierced through for ^(J)our transgressions,
         He was crushed for ^(K)our iniquities;
         The ^(L)chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
         And by ^(M)His scourging we are healed.

Jesus was also pierced through ... punctured...through his skin, his heart, his very soul...for OUR transgressions.  Our sins, our choice to violate the law, to break the rules, to disobey His commands.  God pierced HIM...

But not only that, He was crushed for our iniquities. Our wicked acts, evildoing acts, crushed Christ.  And then the chastening...in other words, the suffering...for OUR well being, fell on JESUS...

And by His scourging....whipping, lashes, torture....WE are healed.

JESUS endured all of these horrific things, that words cannot even remotely begin to express, so that you and I could receive forgiveness and be pardoned for all of our wretched sin.

Good Friday is remembering that. 

Good Friday is honoring the One who loved you so much that He stepped in your spot and received all the punishment and payment for sin that YOU truly deserve from God.

See, contrary to popular psychological teaching, you are NOT a good person. No, you are a sinful, wretched, bad, bad, BAD, person.

Romans 3:12 tells us that there in NONE who do good, no not one.

But Jesus is good.  Jesus knew that if he paid the price for your sin, that you and God could be in complete fellowship forever.

In fact, Jesus wanted that so much that He actually endured separation from His Father while he was on the cross when He cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

He knew what abandonment was like because He experienced it.

Jesus knows everything you have ever gone through, because he has experienced it a zillion times more than you ever will.

And HE LOVES YOU with a LOVE so real, so tender, so sacrificial, that He considered it worthwhile to endure such hostility from men and be nailed to a cross so that we could all be forgiven.

All you have to do is receive what Jesus did.  John 1:12 declares,

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become ^(A)children of God, even ^(B)to those who believe in His name."

Do you believe on the name of Jesus who is the Christ?  If not, why?  Jesus did all the things we've listed here and so much more so that you could be forgiven of your sin, and be with Him forever as you live eternally with Him.  That is what He wants.

To be honest, that is what I want from you too.

There is nothing more important in your life than coming to the place where you accept what Christ did on what we call Good Friday.  It is vital to your future.  It is vital to your eternity in heaven.

Jesus died in your spot so that you would not have to go to a place, we call hell, that was literally created for the devil and his angels.  Hell was not made for the human soul to go to, it was made for the devil.

And I can tell you that the devil would like all the company he can get in hell.  But Jesus doesn't want that...

No, Jesus endured all the torture, scourgings, beatings, spit, piercing, etc, so that you do not have to.  His love is real.  His love is pure.  His love is holy.  His love was poured out in blood for you.

That is why today is Good Friday and that is why today we remember Jesus who is our best example of persecution.

Hindu Extremists in India Beat Pastor Unconscious

This news on Compass Direct today is simply heartbreaking.  In this news item we read of a pastor who was attacked by a few, apparently drunken, Hindu extremists who decided to beat this pastor, simply for the sake of beating him.

Unfortunately, the pastors sons were a witness to the beating and were screaming in horror and for help.

“They were angry at me and were threatening to kill me and were warning me not to come to their area again,” he said. “My sons were screaming at the top of their voices, and they were afraid. One of the men hit me on my forehead with a big bamboo stick, cracking my skull. The others were also beating me on my body, especially my back with bamboo sticks.”

Full story here.

Please pray for the safety of all believers in India and for the emotional healing of these little boys and his father.

VOM-USA Prayer Update for April 22, 2011

James 5:16b says, "The prayer of the righteous man avails much."

AZERBAIJAN--Unregistered Churches Banned from Worship
VOM Canada

Hebrews 5:7

Three religious communities in Gyanja, Azerbaijan, have been banned from meeting for worship. The worship bans were imposed in mid-March because the communities do not have state registration. Local sources said one of the religious communities was warned that "if they met for worship on the following Sunday or at any future date they would all be arrested." Two buses full of police and riot police later arrived to prevent them from worshiping, but the church had already reluctantly canceled the Sunday service that day. The government, however, continues to deny its involvement in religious oppression. Babek Sadykov of the Gyanja Police said, "No one is being prevented from worshiping." And President Ilham Aliev told a government-initiated World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue that "freedom of religion and freedom of conscience have been fully established in Azerbaijan." Pray that believers will be encouraged to continue worshiping together despite opposition.

EGYPT--Copts "Terrorized" by Gang
Release International

1 Samuel 14:6

Since late January, Copts in Minya province have suffered repeated attacks from a large gang of thugs who target Christians. The first attack on a Coptic family occurred on Jan. 28. The family reported the assault to police but withdrew their allegations after receiving death threats from the gang. Then, on Jan. 29, the gang leader raped two Coptic women, threatening to kill their children if they took the matter to police. In another assault, gang members kidnapped a 30-year-old man and a 12-year-old boy; their families were forced to pay ransoms to secure their release. The gang has also reportedly imposed a nighttime curfew on Copts. Copts in Minya are dismayed that the police and army have not taken more decisive steps to detain gang members and their leader. Pray that authorities will take action to apprehend the gang members in Minya province.

CHINA--Pastor Arrested in Inner Mongolia
VOM Sources

Joshua 1:5-7

VOM contacts in China report that one of their dear friends, a pastor, was arrested in Inner Mongolia Tuesday, April 12. The pastor, Jesse, was arrested along with four other leaders. His "offense" is that 1,000 university students attend his church. About 100 of the university students are also Bible school students who are taught by a VOM worker. Police have detained Jesse five times over the last year, and they had warned him and let him know they were watching him. Pastor Jesse and the four others are being held in a detention center where prisoners are usually held for at least 30 days. It’s not known whether he will be formally sentenced. A friend wrote, "We sent some clothes [to Jesse] but were not able to meet and talk to him. Please pray. The situation here is so bad." Ask the Lord to encourage Pastor Jesse, and pray for his release. Pray that his church members will not falter in their faith but will grow stronger.