Persecution Blog

Where Will the Track Lead?

God used my recent visit to Enid, Oklahoma, to remind me of a deep spiritual truth.

Like many American towns, Enid is divided by train tracks. I took this photo on a beautiful evening, as I walked near the tracks. What you can’t see in the picture is that the tracks make a sharp left-hand turn ahead, and then they disappear into the trees.

From my perspective, this prompted several unanswered questions.

What was around the corner? Where will this track end? Is there a bridge ahead, perhaps a railroad crossing, or maybe a railroad switch?

I was quickly reminded that life feels like this sometimes, especially during times of struggle.

Scripture teaches that the Lord’s timing is perfect. There is a profound peace that our faith provides. There is also a distinctive joy that we experience when we rest in His timing.

Many of our persecuted family members experience peace and joy in spite of incredible pressure.

They believe that the Lord is in control of our tracks, and even our timing on the tracks. The key for us, and for them, is to learn to trust him for each portion of the track that He has placed us on.

Isaiah 55:12a reminds us that when the Lord leads us, our journey will be marked by joy and peace: “For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace.”

Historically, many believers have met death with peace and joy that was remarkable. John Oldcastle was arrested for his faith in England in September of 1413 and brought to trial. He knew that if convicted, he would be put to death.

When asked to ascribe to beliefs that were contrary to Scripture, John replied assuredly: “I will none otherwise believe in these points than I told you afore. Do with me what ye will…though ye judge my body…yet I am certain that ye can do no harm to my soul. He that created that will of his infinite mercy save it; I have therein no manner of doubt. Concerning these articles, I will stand to them to the very death by the grace of my God.”

John Oldcastle was convicted and sentenced to death. Interestingly, he escaped from the Tower of London and evaded capture for four years. But, following his recapture, he was hanged and then burned.

John’s unflinching response in the face of death points to the authenticity of our faith, and it cannot be explained away.

We can’t see the future, we can’t see around the bend, but we can rest assured that our Lord is in control of the tracks and that everything we encounter is cleared by Him!

YOUR TURN: What are some practical ways that we can remind ourselves to depend on God when we don’t know what the future holds? How have you seen the Lord faithfully provide for you in the past when you couldn’t see where the tracks were leading? Share your thoughts in the comments to this post.

Dr. Jason Peters serves in VOM’s International Ministries department, traveling frequently to meet with our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. He has ministered in 35 countries, as diverse as Cuba, India, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Burma, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia and Nigeria. Before joining VOM’s team, Jason was a faculty member of the US Air Force Chaplain Corps College, where he directed Crisis and Trauma training. Jason, his wife, Kimberly, and their five children are actively engaged in standing with their persecuted sisters and brothers.

Extreme Disobedience

JERICHO: RAHAB

There is no authority except that which God has established. Romans 13:1

When Joshua sent two spies to view the land of Jericho, they hid in the house of Rahab the harlot. Rahab’s house was built along the wall of Jericho, a wall constructed to prevent illegal passage of unwelcome visitors. When the king heard the Israeli spies were in town, he immediately sent word to Rahab. He instructed her to bring forth the spies, who had entered her home.

Rahab disobeyed the command of her king and hid the spies, even lying to protect their whereabouts. Later that evening, she secretly smuggled the spies out of the city by lowering them with a long chord through her window and down the wall.

Rahab knew little of the God of Israel, but she was prepared to help his people. She disobeyed her pagan authorities and even placed her life in danger. As a result, her life was spared.

A similar act of smuggling is found in Acts 9:25. Soon after Paul’s conversion, he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus, preaching and teaching in the synagogues. The Jews were so baffled by the change in Paul that they considered him a threat. The disciples lowered him down a wall to clear the city gates and spare his life from the Jews who were conspiring to kill him.

Some Christians believe that disobeying the governing authorities in restricted nations warrants persecution. Are Chinese Christians who refuse to register with the official church deserving of the beatings they endure? In Islamic nations, do Muslims who convert to Christianity deserve to be stoned to death? While certain passages may be interpreted differently, all Christians agree that we cannot allow government to force us to disobey God’s laws. Of course, this does not permit Christians to exercise personal vendettas against the state. Disobedience is only warranted when we are forced to decide between loyalty to Christ and loyalty to the governing laws. Where do you stand on the issue? Study the Scriptures and decide for yourself, then share your thoughts in the comments to this post.

This is one of the readings from the book, Extreme Devotion, available from VOM’s online bookstore. You can also receive devotional thoughts daily via email. Sign up here.

VIDEO: A Letter from Prison

If you've been to a VOM regional conference this year, you may have heard one of the members of the Hovsepian family speak or sing. This family is an amazing part of the legacy of Pastor Haik Hovsepian, the leader of the Assembly of God church in Iran who was martyred for his faith and his outspoken call for religious freedom in his country. It's now been more than 20 years since Pastor Haik was killed, yet the ministry of his family into Iran continues each week via satellite television.

The Hovsepian family partnered with our sister mission in Canada to produce a video calling Christians everywhere to remember Christians suffering in prison for their faith. You'll be blessed as you watch the video and listen to the music, and then as Joseph, Gilbert and others explain the mission behind the song and the video.

 

You can meet members of the Hovsepian family and hear more of their amazing testimony at upcoming VOM Regional Conferences in Oostburg, WI (Gilbert), Huntley, IL (Gilbert),  Butler, PA (Joseph), Ocean Springs, MS (Gilbert), Williamstown, NJ (Gilbert), Bay Village, OH (Gilbert), Leominster, MA (Gilbert), Fort Pierce, FL (Gilbert) and Northern Indiana (Gilbert). There is no charge to attend a conference, though we do ask you to register ahead of time online at www.VOMMeetings.com.

Five Ways to Exploit Evil

The age old question of “Why suffering?” cannot be adequately answered for anyone facing pain. However, the Bible and the Christian faith are full of the testament that as believers we can do more than just get through suffering, we can actually exploit evil for our benefit.  Romans 8:28 says that “We are MORE than conquerors through him who loved us.” This is not an exhaustive list, but below are five ways that you can exploit evil in your own life:

1. Use Difficulties to Increase your Dependency on God

Unfortunately when our lives are going smoothly, it’s easy to think we have things covered on our own. There is the old saying that you don’t know God is all you need until God is all you have. Exploit evil by leaning on Christ’s strength when you face difficulties. This may help you realize all the things you leaned on before didn’t matter in the first place. C.S Lewis in his book The Problem of Pain says, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Romans 5:3

2. Use Others’ Suffering to Increase your Mercy and Compassion

The pain and suffering of others can allow us to experience what it means to be the body of Christ. Heroes wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the need of sacrificial love. If you have ever been to a third world country or even an inner city project in the USA, you know that after seeing the suffering of another person, our heart is changed and we are able to see the world with a renewed perspective and a renewed drive to share with people the hope we have in Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:7

3. Use your Trials to Point the Lost to Christ

Saved or unsaved, we can’t escape death, suffering, or pain in this fallen world. The lost need to see Christians suffer well. Everything in the world’s culture tells you that the accepted response to suffering is un-forgiveness, revenge, bitter resentment, self-pity or disillusionment. In Christ, we still experience pain but we have a resilience that they do not. As they see you walk through your trial, yet still full of peace and joy, they will be drawn to the hope you have. 1 Thessalonians 4:13

4. Use Pain to Produce Courage

Pain can give us clarity like nothing else. Why does the bible say we are blessed when we suffer or are persecuted? It is because of the Holy Spirit’s ability to exploit the evil, and use what was meant to destroy us as a tool to refine us.  VOM founder Richard Wurmbrand, after spending fourteen years in a communist prison, wrote “…Persecution has always produced a better Christian—a witnessing Christian, a soul winning Christian. Persecution has backfired and produced serious dedicated Christians such as are rarely seen in free lands. These people cannot understand how anyone can be a Christian and not want to win every soul they meet.” (From Tortured for Christ) Mark 16:15

5. Use Adversity an Opportunity for God to do a Miracle

Allow adversity to produce in you a faith that believes God for the impossible. It’s difficult to pray a prayer full of faith when we see another ‘out’ that we can accomplish on our own.  Exploit evil by believing for the healing, the salvation, the deliverance, knowing that the same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you. (Romans8:11) Place your trust in the goodness and love of God and watch what He does. Mark 5:34

YOUR TURN: What other ways would you suggest that a Christian exploit evil to bring about good? Share your ideas and thoughts in the comments to this post.

"Why Persecutest Thou Me?"

“And he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Acts 9:4

How can Saul, one earthly creature armed only with a letter from another, be said to “persecute” Jesus of Nazereth who sits at the Father’s right hand? The Lord did not say, “Why do you persecute my people?” Instead he asked, “Why do you persecute me?” Christ was certainly in the glory, but the Christ whom Saul persecuted was somehow also on earth.

This is of the greatest significance. Here at once, by implication, Saul of Tarsus is confronted with the Body of Christ—the Head and his members united in one. The oneness of the Body of Christ is not just a future reality in heaven. Were that so, we could only speak of his splendor. But he can be persecuted, so it is also present fact on earth. Indeed, it links heaven and earth, Head and members, with a unity that God demands shall find a real practical expression down here.

From: “The Joyful Heart: Daily Meditations” by Watchman Nee

Watchman Nee (倪柝声, Ni Tuosheng) (November 4, 1903 – May 30, 1972) was a church leader and Christian teacher who worked in China during the 20th century. In 1922, he initiated church meetings in Fuzhou that may be considered the beginning of the local churches. During his thirty years of ministry, Nee published many books expounding the Bible. He established churches throughout China and held many conferences to train Bible students and church workers. Following the Communist Revolution, Nee was persecuted and imprisoned for his faith and spent the last twenty years of his life in prison. (source: Wikipedia)

Extreme TV Preacher

VIETNAM: BROTHER K’BE

This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 2 Timothy 2:8-9

The first time Brother K’Be’s children saw him on Vietnamese television, they were excited. Their excitement disappeared when they heard the announcer say that their father was a criminal. They claimed he was guilty of many “crimes” against the Vietnamese government.

Brother K’Be’s “crimes” were preaching the gospel at unregistered house-church meetings. The government put his face on TV to shame him and to warn others to watch out for him. They also played police interviews with him on TV and radio, but this only helped to spread the gospel message further. It gave him a platform to reach many others for Christ. Those who saw him on TV asked about his faith, and he was able to tell them about Christ.

He explained, “They put my face on TV so people can identify me. My neighbors say, 'Why leave your family?’ I tell them that God will take care of that. I must go. The harvest is ready, and there are few workers.”

Seeing that the public shame was not deterring K’Be’s ministry, police have threatened to arrest him the next time he is caught preaching. “My wife rejoices that our names are in the Book of Life and that my face is a witness on television. The police are helping to spread the gospel. They can close the church, but not our witness.”

Believers may be nailed to a stake, chained in a prison cell, or locked in stockades. Believers may even die. Yet the gospel lives on. K’Be reminds us that the gospel is not about a church building, a meeting, or any one believer. A church building can be closed. A meeting may be disbanded. A believer can be imprisoned or killed. Is your understanding of Christianity tied to a certain pastor or church building or activity? Would your faith still thrive (as it does in restricted nations) if all of these outward forms were taken away? God’s Word would yet remain, despite these restrictions. Would you still find a way, like K’Be did, to live out your faith?

This is one of the readings from the book, Extreme Devotion, available from VOM’s online bookstore. You can also receive devotional thoughts daily via email. Sign up here.

IDOP VIDEO PREMIERE

God Asked. Could She Answer?

Liena and her family turned down offers of asylum in Western countries after civil war broke out in Syria. They knew the cost that they might be required to pay, but they chose to remain as witnesses to their Muslim neighbors and as an encouragement to other Christians in Syria. Liena was a dedicated Christian, faithful wife and mother of two. In her prayers, she asked God to use her to reach more people. And then God asked her to make one more commitment.

Watch the dramatic testimony of Liena’s Prayer, as she struggles with the diffcult decision of how much she can offer God. But be warned: you may never pray the same again after watching her story.

 

Share VOM’s free IDOP DVD, Liena’s Prayer, with your church on the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

CLICK HERE to request your free DVD and to order additional materials to share with your church on November 2.

Asia Bibi Appeal Hearing Postponed—AGAIN

A court hearing for Asia Bibi was postponed again last week (Sept. 9, 2014), but this time reportedly at the request of her husband, Ashiq Masih.

Ashiq submitted the application for adjournment because his private attorney was not present, though Asia’s legal team was present in the court room. Though the judge was ready to hear the case, the hearing was postponed until Oct. 16, 2014.

The Pakistan Christian Post reported that the judge issued an order saying that the Oct. 16 hearing would be final and there would be no other adjournment.

This is the sixth time that a hearing has been announced in Asia Bibi's appeal against her death sentence and has been postponed or delayed. Reasons so far have ranged from judge's illness, to attorneys not present and other reasons.

Please continue to pray for Asia Bibi, as well as for Ashiq and their daughters. You can also voice your support for Asia's release by signing the online petition at www.CallForMercy.com and by writing letters to her in prison at www.PrisonerAlert.com.

"My Only Gadget!"

A couple of weeks ago, we taught at two conferences for pastors in Mindanao, a Muslim-dominated region of the Philippines. We were there to equip and encourage leaders in this very difficult area to stand strong under intense pressure.

Following one of the sessions, we chatted with one of the pastors and offered to share our teaching notes with him.

We said, “Sure, we can email you a copy.”

He replied with a nod that expressed he was both grateful for our offer, but had no idea what we were talking about.

“We can send all these notes to you on a computer. How many pastors do you think have internet and a computer?”

“I think not many,” he told us. He pulled out his cell phone (a minimal feature “dumb phone”).

“This is my only gadget!” the pastor proudly exclaimed. “Do you want to know how I got it?”

Of course we did.

“My sister owns a gas station. One day she had a customer who didn’t have the money to pay for his gas, so he offered his cellphone as payment. Then, my sister gave the cellphone to me!”

You could see the excitement in his face as he told us about his phone:

“I get to use it for my ministry! I can call other pastors with it, and they can call me. And I can call my church when I’m away from them like at this conference.”

Here are two ways that our faith is attacked:

1. Persecution. The Voice of the Martyrs team works tirelessly to stand with those who are experiencing this type of attack. Our staff has been “sprinting” recently to keep up with the pressing needs of our sisters and brothers in several hot-spots around the world. Please pray for wisdom and endurance for us. But there is another way we are threatened…

2. Preoccupation. This tactic is more subtle, but still extremely effective. When we heard our brother sharing about his sole “gadget,” we were reminded that our enemy has thousands of devices at his disposal to pull Americans away from our singular, essential focus.

What was most striking to us was not the clichéd reminder that other pastors do not have as much as we do, but the singular, utilitarian focus this pastor had with his “only gadget.” For him, it was truly a tool assisting him in his ministry to advance the Kingdom of God.

We thought about our iPads, smartphones, laptops, and VGA cables. We were using them for teaching, connecting with other pastors and field workers, showing PowerPoint presentations and persecution videos. But, we have also been sidetracked many times when they failed to work exactly how we want them to.

Our Filipino pastor friend was able to use his “only gadget” as a tool for ministry. Ironically, the tools we have to help our ministries can sometimes be used to hinder our ministry. Ephesians 6 reminds us that our enemy uses many “schemes” to attack, and distraction may be one of his favorite tactics.

YOUR TURN: What are some ways that you find yourself getting distracted from the calling God has for you? How have you seen “distractions” hinder ministry in your experience? Share your story in the comments to this post.

Anthony H. serves with VOM’s International Ministries department. He has ministered in 5 countries and was recently a guest speaker at two conferences for persecuted pastors serving on Mindanao Island in the Philippines.

Dr. Jason Peters oversees Global Partnerships and travels frequently to meet with our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. He recently joined Anthony as part of the teaching team for the conferences in Mindanao.

A Former Muslim Responds to President Obama

The eyes of the world turned this week to the White House, where President Obama gave a speech outlining his plans to battle against the Islamic State (IS). While VOM is not a political organization, VOM staff do monitor how the United States government responds to religious freedom issues overseas, and we work to educate and provide resources for government personnel tasked with understanding and speaking out against the persecution of Christians.

Several times in recent weeks we have blogged about the advance of IS and how Christians are responding, including Five Truths to Keep in Mind, Reading Hebrews 13:3 with Mosul In Mind, and Understanding IS Teaching in order to show love as Christ commanded.

Today we offer additional insights from a former Muslim with an in-depth understanding of the Quran and how radical Muslims read and interpret it. While VOM is not a political organization, in this video Brother Rachid addresses his comments directly to President Obama. His comments are his, and do not come from VOM, but we believe that all Christians—and all Americans—can learn from his insights: