Persecution Blog

Extreme Statements

ROME: THE APOSTLE PAUL

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me— the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.  Acts 20:24

Paul wrote to Timothy, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you have been called” (1 Timothy 6:12). He was familiar with the fight.

He described some of his experiences to the Corinthians: “In great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger . . . dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything” (2 Corinthians 6:4–5; 9–10).

While in jail with a death sentence, Paul wrote to the Philippians, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me . . . I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:21–25).

Some years later, however, he wrote Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). In Rome at the age of sixty-four, Paul was beheaded by the order of Emperor Nero and went to be with Jesus.

If ever we need inspiration to continue on in the face of suffering, we need look no further than the life of Paul. Paul’s endurance race began with trouble from the get-go. He coursed through a myriad of hair-raising experiences recorded in the book of Acts. Yet he considered all that he endured nothing compared to knowing Jesus and making him known. Are you able to say the same thing as Paul when it comes to suffering? Is nothing able to deter you from your goal of knowing Christ and making him known? If you fear you are on you last lap of faithful service, take heed of Paul’s encouraging words and get your second wind.

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 or read them each day in VOM’s Pray Today App for your smart phone or tablet.

What If You Had Nothing

For more than two years, many ISIS victims have lived in dusty refugee centers without basic hygienic and medical necessities. Some live in tents, others in broken or makeshift buildings. Because of their forced relocation, these families often suffer injuries and unsanitary living conditions, but we have found a practical way to help during their time of great need. Imagine families like this receiving a care package from fellow Christians that included bandages, soap and other necessities. This is a concrete way we can serve our brothers and sisters.

The Voice of the Martyrs has collected more than 5,000 Family Med Packs this year to help meet the needs of Christians living in refugee camps in places like Iraq, Syria, Sudan and Nigeria, but the demand from the field is still great. Family Med Packs filled with simple items such as medical tape, gauze, soap, bandages and toothbrushes do more than meet physical needs. They serve as a tangible reminder to our persecuted brothers and sisters that they are not forgotten.

SEND A FAMILY MED PACK

Fleeing Christians have little time to gather supplies when they are forced from their homes by terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS). Some arrive at refugee camps with little more than the clothes on their backs.

When you provide a Family Med Pack, you are sending much-needed help to persecuted Christians in refugee centers. You can order bags to fill yourself or sponsor packs that VOM will fill for you. Show your love for the body of Christ to those who have sacrificed all to follow Him.

SPONSOR A FAMILY MED PACK

Hear a VOM Radio interview about delivering the first Family Med Packs to Christians in the Middle East.

Love Always Takes The Initiative

“Brother Mark” works among Christians in the Middle East and North Africa, training new believers and equipping them to reach out and win Muslims to Christ. This week he’ll share stories of what new believers face after leaving Islam—often starting with persecution from their own families.

He’ll talk about witnessing to Muslims and equip listeners to answer some of the questions Muslims may ask about Christianity and the Bible. Finally, Mark will talk specifically about some of the nations of North Africa, including updates on Christians in Egypt and Mauritania, and how we can pray for Christians all across that region.

 

Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the VOM Radio podcast on iTunes or Google Play Music.

 

VOM's Jason Peters on National Radio Program - Part 2

VOM’s Dr. Jason Peters appeared this week as a guest on The Dr. Meg Meeker Show on Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk. The discussion involved VOM’s book project, I Am N, and how Christians facing Islamic extremism are serving Christ boldly in hostile and restricted nations around the world. Here is part 2 of their discussion:

Listen to the program here.

VOM's Jason Peters on National Radio Program - Part 1

VOM’s Dr. Jason Peters appeared this week as a guest on The Dr. Meg Meeker Show on Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk. The discussion involved VOM’s book project, I Am N, and how Christians facing Islamic extremism are serving Christ boldly in hostile and restricted nations around the world. Here is part 1 of their discussion:

Listen to the program here.

Wonderful!

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? ....If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” – Psalm 139: 7, 11-12

“Isn’t it wonderful?” The chapel speaker’s enthusiasm was infectious as he moved from one side of the stage to the other. He was excited about the work in his country, passionate about reaching the lost, and beaming with the joy of the Lord. If we did not hear his words, we might completely miss that he was talking about our persecuted brothers and sisters.

As we interns prepare to leave VOM, I worry that I will lose the enthusiasm I’ve picked up from being around believers who as fervent about serving the Lord as the chapel speaker. If my enthusiasm is for ministry itself, grounded on people with and for whom I work, then yes, it will fade. People will disappoint me and forget me. I will fail them and forget them. The positive outlook on life that this internship has helped me develop will die when I am separated from the people I have met at VOM. That is, it will if I base my enthusiasm on them.

If, however, I base my focus, energy, and confidence on Jesus, my enthusiasm may wane, but it will never die, as Christ never dies. The hope of a living Savior dispels fear of losing the intimacy with Him and the passion for Him that He has blessed me with this summer. Although I will leave VOM, my Savior is always with me. Since the only proximity and interaction necessary to continue my enthusiasm for Jesus comes from Jesus Himself, I will never lose it so long as I cling to Him.

We interns will return to our colleges after a summer that surpassed our expectations and hopes. We’ll leave the VOM office, but we will continue to approach the throne of God. The nearer we come, the greater He becomes. The joy of knowing Him increases as He draws us closer. Firmly grounded in Jesus Christ, we take with us the stories of our persecuted brothers and sisters, awe-inspiring evidence of the Lord dwelling among His people, to share who our God, Creator, Sustainer, Savior, and Friend truly is: He is our hope and He is our love.

And isn’t He wonderful?

–Soli Deo Gloria: glory to God alone.

J.G. Spires is a college student studying English and Broadcast Media on the east coast. She grew up in a Christian family and came into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ while in middle school. Over the years, the Lord has developed in her a passion for His people and His Word. Her goal is to write for the edification of the Church and the evangelization of the lost. She loves being outside, writing fictional short stories and serving the Church.

Meet Your "I Am N" Family Members

"This [I Am N] book changed my life. It’s changed how I am raising my two boys.

It’s changed how I read and value the Bible! The Bible has come back to life for me!"

-Ashley, Oklahoma

The Voice of the Martyrs’ I Am N curriculum is changing lives. When your persecuted family members become real to you and you realize what they face every day, it changes how you read the Bible and how you live your faith.

Have you met your “I Am N” family members yet? With VOM’s new six-session DVD curriculum, you will see the Christians who are experiencing persecution every day and hear their stories in their own words.

VOM’s I Am N video curriculum helps you get to know your Iraqi brothers and sisters who have been displaced by ISIS. By experiencing their dramatic stories, you will be following Christ’s mandate to unite with His body as you learn more about the intense persecution occurring today.

Our brothers and sisters have given up everything to proclaim that they are followers of Christ.

Take the challenge. Are you N?

ORDER THE KIT

"I'm Willing to Die"

Her husband was the village police chief, the man responsible to make sure no more people in the village became Christians. And now she had chosen to follow Christ! Her husband pressured her to renounce her faith; then he beat her. Then he threatened her life. "I'm willing to die," she answered.

That's just one of the stories you’ll hear this week from Brother Sionh, the voice of the Khmu Christian radio broadcast in Southeast Asia. He'll also share the great need for leaders within the rapidly-growing Khmu church and how VOM is helping equip and train new leaders to meet that need. Finally we'll hear how we can pray for Laos and for our brothers and sisters there.

 

Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the VOM Radio podcast on iTunes or Google Play Music.

If You Aren’t Ready, Then Run

Poor Elijah. We’re always kind of down on Elijah, aren’t we? After his stunning victory on Mount Carmel, he flees Jezebel when she threatens to kill him after he put to death her 300 prophets of Baal.

Jonah also finds his way into the “Hall of Shame” for deciding a sea voyage over the Mediterranean sounded better than bringing the word of the Lord to the Ninevites.

In comfortable Christendom, we often hear things like, “the safest place you can be is the center of God’s will,” and “the will of God won’t lead you where the grace of God can’t keep you,” and other snappy sayings. I think such trite phrases can warp the lens we read these Bible accounts through.

Would God have Elijah call down fire from heaven, lick up every water-soaked piece of the altar, and then let him be slayed by the evil queen of Israel? Surely God wouldn’t ask Jonah to be impaled on an Assyrian spike in Nineveh if the Ninevites didn’t like his message.

But maybe God would.

Cynics ask, “If God is good and loving, why would He let bad things happen to His people?” The inevitable answer is, “Sometimes He does.”

Sometimes He allows evil people to have their way, but that doesn’t negate His goodness or His loving-kindness. In the end, there are two things we can rely on: God’s ways are not our ways, and Jesus Christ is ultimately worth whatever happens to us in this life.

Maybe the reason Jonah and Elijah ran wasn’t that they didn’t have enough faith in God. Maybe they knew, more than I ever will, the cost of that faith.

Maybe our sermons on Elijah shouldn’t focus on the reasons why he ran, but instead on why we should.

Yes, that’s right. For once, I’d like to see a pastor stand up in the service, open the text to 2 Kings 2 and say, “Elijah ran. And if you think God’s ‘will’ will keep you from harm, you’d better run too.”

There is, within what seems like His capricious harshness, a great love and kindness. “For it was fitting that he [God], for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation [Jesus] perfect through suffering.” (Hebrews 2:10 ESV).

Jesus suffered in order to bring about God’s will. We could ask ourselves why Elijah and Jonah would run from God’s calling. More importantly, though, is the question for us: are we willing to follow God’s will, even if it means suffering?

Leah Grant has worked at The Voice of the Martyrs for the past year and is drawn to helping those that cannot help themselves. She has done missions work in the Dominican Republic and Colombia, but believes her main purpose is to glorify the Word, Jesus Christ, through the written word. She is a word nerd, a history geek, and enjoys discussing theology with anyone willing to listen to her long-winded ramblings. She ties those three together as often as she can in the stories that she writes in her spare time.

Pray for Eugenia, Who Ministers in a Difficult Area

Eugenia's son was also injured in an attack where she was seriously injured by a man attempting to kill her for sharing the gospel in Chiapas, Mexico.

Eugenia and her husband have endured a series of hardships over the past few years while leading several house churches in rural Chiapas, Mexico. Their car was stolen at gunpoint, a man attacked Eugenia with a machete as she returned home from a church meeting, and their house was burned to the ground by arsonists trying to run them out of the area.

They continue to trust in the Lord for protection and say they have no ill feelings toward those who have tried to hurt them.

Please pray for Eugenia and her family as they continue to share the gospel in this difficult and dangerous region.

Sign up to receive new, specific prayer requests from our persecuted family each week by email at www.ICommitToPray.com.