VOM staff members have been encouraged by the amazing response to the “I-am-N” t-shirt VOM offered last month. Thousands of American Christians have chosen to stand with our Christian brothers and sisters facing Islamic extremism in Iraq and Syria by publicly wearing the Arabic “N” shirts.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. Acts 1:8

Imagine waking up one morning to find a red spray-painted symbol on the front of your house identifying you as a Christian. The Arabic letter “N” (nun), from the Arabic word nasara (meaning “Nazarene” to indicate Christians), was recently painted on homes of Christians in the city of Mosul, Iraq, by an organized terrorist group called IS (Islamic State). Then on July 17, the terrorists gave area Christians an ultimatum: convert to Islam, pay a high tax, leave the area or die. The Voice of the Martyrs is now actively serving Iraqi Christian families forced to flee from the terrorists (some with only the clothes on their backs). You can help by making a donation to help our Iraqi brothers and sisters. VOM is also releasing a new T-shirt to allow you to show your support, boldly proclaiming that you are also “N”! Show your support for persecuted Iraqi Christians by purchasing the i-am-n T-shirt. The T-shirts cost $20 each (including free shipping), and $10 of the purchase price will be used directly to help persecuted Iraqi Christians. The front of the shirt features an Arabic “N” similar to the symbol that the organized terrorist group IS (Islamic State) is spray painting on the homes of Christians. The back of the T-shirt features the Arabic “N” along with the Web address www.i-am-n.com.

Today's guest post is from Tami Yeager, who serves as the financial administrator for Eternal Perspective Ministry in Oregon. Because of her passion for the persecuted church, she also serves as a volunteer community voice coordinator for The Voice of the Martyrs. This post originally appeared on EPM's blog.

Recently Pastor Eric Foley, President of Seoul-USA and a key coordinator for VOM’s work to support the church in North Korea, recommended a couple of books to help me better understand life in North Korea. I finished the first book this week, and was blown away by the story of a top-level North Korean who lost faith in the Kim family and chose to flee his nation.

The northern shores of Africa teemed with Christians during the second century, but all were at risk. In 180 seven men and five women were captured carrying “the sacred books, and the letters of Paul, a just man.” On July 17, 180 they appeared before the Roman proconsul Saturninus in Carthage. Charges against them were read: “Whereas Speratus, Nartzalus, Cittinus, Donata, Vestia, Secunda, and the rest have confessed they live in accordance with the religious rites of the Christians, and when an opportunity was given them of returning to the usage of the Romans they persevered in their obstinacy, it is our pleasure they should suffer the sword.”

As Americans celebrate freedom and liberty this week, it is important to remember that persecution for faith in Christ is not only a foreign occurrence that’s never happened in our own country. With that in mind, we share today the story of martyr Mary Dyer, as told in FOXE: Voices of the Martyrs:

We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:3

God’s grace arrives just as we need it, appropriate for every challenge. Even if we’re lonely? Even if we’re ill? Yes. Even if we’re tortured? Even then.

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19