INDIA — Pastor and Family Attacked — VOM Sources
Psalm 119: 161-162
Princes persecute me without a cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your word. I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure.
On June 14, a pastor and his family were brutally attacked after Hindu extremists barged into their church during a prayer meeting, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. At 11 a.m. more than 40 Hindu extremists belonging to the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak and Bajrang Dal fundamentalist groups, barged into Beersheba Church and asked for Pastor Kulpeep Daniel. The group accused the pastor of forcible conversions. When the Pastor told them who he was, the extremists immediately started beating him. The extremists also assaulted Pastor Daniel’s wife, brother and his two-and-a-half and one-year-old children. The attackers also destroyed the family’s property in the parsonage and musical instruments and other equipment in the church. The pastor and his wife suffered internal injuries. Pastor Daniel has filed a police report. The Voice of the Martyrs actively supports persecuted believers like Pastor Daniel. VOM provides legal assistance to pastors and Christians who are arrested and falsely accused by Hindu extremists.VOM encourages you to pray for this family. Ask God to protect and encourage them especially the young children. Ask God to heal their injuries and bless them.
YEMEN — Christian relief workers abducted and killed — VOM Canada
Philippians 4:7
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
On June 12, nine Christian relief workers were abducted and three killed, reportedly because they were suspected of being involved in evangelistic work, according to VOMCanada. The Christians left the city of Sa'ada without an armed escort to visit a doctor who lived nearby, according to reports. The believers left the doctor's home after two hours and eyewitnesses saw a group of armed men stop them. Investigators believe the kidnappers executed three of the hostages a short time later. At last report the other relief workers are still being held hostage and have been handed over to tribesmen. Two suspects have surrendered themselves to Yemeni authorities and have been arrested. It is also reported that local imams in the area were concerned that some of the relief workers were involved in evangelism while providing medical aid. Pray for the families of the deceased believers and protection for those who have been kidnapped. Thank God for the faithful lives and work of those killed. Pray that the remaining hostages will be released. Ask God to fill those in mourning with a peace that surpasses understanding in the midst of their grief. Pray for endurance and wisdom for those serving the Lord in Yemen.
PAKISTAN — Christian woman facing blasphemy charges —
Psalm 91:1-5
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day.
Asia Bibi, a 37 year-old Christian woman was recently arrested by police on allegations of blasphemy in Punjab province, Pakistan. On June 19, some of the Muslim women who work with Bibi on a farm owned by a local Muslim engaged in a heated discussion with Bibi about Islam. Bibi told them that Christ died on the cross for their sins and asked them what Mohammed had done for them. "Our Christ is the true prophet of God and yours is not true," Bibi said. The Muslim women became angry and began to beat her. Some men then locked her in a room and she was later arrested. At last report Bibi was being held at a police station and local Christians were urging the police not to file blasphemy charges. However, police claim that they must go forward due to pressure from local Muslim leaders. Pray that Bibi will be released. Pray for strength for Bibi's family. Ask God to give boldness to Christians in Pakistan as they witness to their Muslim neighbors.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
LAOS — 13 Christians Arrested — VOM Sources
Lamentations 3:21-24
This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “ The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “ Therefore I hope in Him!”
On June 12, 13 Christians were arrested by plain clothes police, after visiting Christian villages in Laos, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. The visiting believers met the police when they were in the village for their routine daily work. The police questioned them about what they were doing in the village. The police have not disclosed why they arrested the believers and at last report the Christians are still being held at a provincial police station. The Voice of the Martyrs supports persecuted believers in Laos. VOM provides money to translate Bibles into multiple Laotian languages. Through this project, thousands of Christians will have access to the full Bible for the first time. VOM encourages you to pray for the release of these believers. Ask God to protect and encourage the believers in the villages. Pray God to bless Christians in Laos.
CHINA — House church leaders arrested in Sichuan — China Aid Association
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell[a] in the house of the LORD Forever.
On June 9, several dozen Chinese officials from the Domestic Security Protection Squad barged into Pastor Li Ming’s home in Langzhong city, Sichuan province, where more than 30 house church leaders were gathered, according China Aid Association. Pastor Li's home was searched and all of the believers arrested. Thirteen leaders were sentenced to 15 days of administrative detention. Five other leaders, including Pastor Li, were placed under criminal detention and are likely to face formal criminal indictment or up to three years of "re-education through labor." The remaining leaders have been released. Ask God to give wisdom and guidance to the imprisoned leaders and their families. Pray for an end to crackdowns against believers in China.
BELARUS — Pastor receives hefty fine — Forum 18 News
Philippians 4:7
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
A court in the eastern town of Osipovichi has fined Pastor Nikolai Poleshchuk 2,100,000 Belarusian rubles (US$ 739) for running a Christian street library, according to Forum 18 News. The fine, according to local Christians, is the equivalent of nearly three month’s wages. Locals say this is the largest fine ever issued for religious activity in Belarus. In January, Poleshchuk and another believer were approached by the head of the Osipovichi District Ideology Department and told that they had no right to run the street library since their church is unregistered. At a hearing in March, Poleshchuk was given an official warning and the confiscated Christian literature was ordered to be destroyed. At the trial, Poleshchuk was charged with "violation of the procedure for organizing or conducting mass events or pickets." The court also amended their decision regarding the literature and ruled that the books instead be handed to the state. Pray that Pastor Poleshchuk will find peace in Christ in the midst of pressure and opposition for his faith. Pray that God will embolden him and other Christians in Belarus to continue spreading the Gospel in their nation.
Been up for a while, can't sleep since about 3:30. But its 8AM somewhere, right? We're having a great vacation break but I feel somewhat stirred by a noble theme. I feel Divine permission to write down this part of our journey, for the glory of God's name.
Vast stretches of my life with Jesus have been rather atypical, late-20th-century(plus)-Americana. By this I mean marriage, children and strings of professional accomplishment. But I've also had some sudden, left-turn right-turn bursts into stretches of profound and unusual jaunts into visibility and influence that can only be described as God-ordained. When those have happened I hope to have been consistent to not attribute it to any particular personality trait or political manipulation that I cleverly accomplished. However, there is one simple standard to which I have aspired, and one to which I have yet to master: doing whatever Jesus says to do. Sounds simple, maybe. I understood early in my post-salvation encounter with the Risen Christ that the prospect of leaving behind everything was something God could say to any person, (cf. Matthew 19:29 where Jesus says, "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life").
Its not inevitable for everyone, but its wisdom and actually basic Christianity to be willing. Every one who hears the Master's voice, who treasures His Word, who understand we all can only gain our life by losing it (cf. Matthew 16:25 where Jesus says, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.") has this standard. Its not 'heroic'... its the only way into His life and His will. Jesus did not flinch when He said this, nor was He tired and having a bad day. He was (and is) Love breaking open the news of His Kingdom, a journey where every inch is paved with love.
In December of 1989 I was sent a book called Taking Our Cities for God, written by John Dawson. Our friends, Wes and Sandi Tullis, sent the book to us with a newspaper printing (about 8 pages) called the Kansas City Fellowship Newsletter. Both were implosive and riveting, being escorts into a change of worldview concerning several things: 1) God's perspective of His Church, 2) the authenticity of God speaking profoundly to His Church today, 3) God's desire for none to perish, 4) that prayer is the only way to bear fruit. In this last point my understanding has continued to deepen and widen in the unfolding years since; I am absolutely convinced by the precedence of the early Church, by the prophetic testimony in God's salvation history and by the teaching He has available in His Word that prayer is the way we gain entrance into God's mind and heart, and find grace to accomplish the invitations He offers us as He makes His will known.
I'm expanding here beyond what I intended but I'll not delete this backdrop for 'Eleven Twentythree'. In the early 90s the Lord shot my family and I (Matthew was just a little dude, born January 1, 1989 in Austin) into missions with YWAM, briefly. Then He called us out of that to wait in transition back in Austin. In some ways it was truly a glorious time as He was speaking and showing us things to come in some jaw-dropping ways. One of those was this, which is the specific backdrop for 'Eleven Twentythree':
In that transition we had developed relationship with the Harvest Evangelism team... to the point that we had applied for and been accepted as missionaries. Caryn and I had met with Ed Silvoso and with Dave Thompson (and the H.E. board) and we agreed this was God's will to join in (there is a ton more to this part of our story but thats for a different time). On August 30 of 1994, the Lord gave me a word cryptically that 'the ark was hidden at Obed-Edom's house for 3 months'. I was fascinated and watching for His word. Other confirmation comes during this time that change is upon our family. One thing in the mix was that we meet the Yuba City/Marysville pastors, a gathering of whom Ed had been teaching and bearing witness to the move of God in Argentina concerning the advancing of the gospel in cities there. We met them and I confirmed to the lead pastor of the group that we would move there to help them reach their cities if they chose to invite us. So I was literally waiting for a red light or green light and by all means it was unconfirmed for a number of weeks.
In early December we come home to a message on our answering machine. The lead pastor had called and said they had been in prayer and thought they should go for it and would like us to move there to help reach their cities entirely with the gospel. Caryn and I sat on our bed and listened to the message and I was moved to prayer. We held hands and I said, 'Lord, this is not by the will of man. Only you have brought us to this place and opened this door. You are a great and awesome God. This is a defining moment in our life, is there something You would say to us?' To me, it was a moment pregnant with promise and overflowing with Divine unction and it just seemed right for Him to speak if there ever was a moment when I should expect Him to speak. As we waited briefly, an unfamiliar scripture reference popped into my mind: Numbers 11:23. I said, excitedly, 'Caryn, I think the Lord says Numbers 11:23'. We grabbed a bible and read the verse: "The LORD answered Moses, "Is the LORD's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you." It was a holy moment with the Living God. As the scripture says in Isaiah 53:1 - "Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?" After we moved to California and began working with the pastors we learned that on November 30 (3 months after the Obed Edom scripture came to me) the pastors had met and prayed and decided to invite us to work with them.
OK, fast forward to our sojourn in Charlotte. We had moved from California and lived in Charlotte for a handful of years, then had started our harp and bowl prayer meetings in October of 2002. The Lord tells me 3 years of weakness then He will build 24 hour prayer in Charlotte. In October of 2005, unaware of the date, Kirk and Dee Bennett are blessed and released at the IHOP in Kansas City to move to Fort Mill. It was exactly 3 years to the day. They lead a group of young people from the midwest and in January of 2006, ZHOP is formed and begins 24 hour prayer.
Three years ago Caryn and I took steps to sell our house in Charlotte and move to Fort Mill. I understood that the safety of the house of prayer lies in drawing close together, so I felt compelled and we were excited to make the move. The realities of being part of such a community was so attractive, and God was answering prayer in clear and tangible ways. In that lingering little step between the old house being sold and the new house not quite ready, we rented a room with some new friends in Regent Park. The first morning we were there was on August 30 (of 2006 for those of you keeping track). That morning when we sat with our friends, the husband of the couple said he felt he had a scripture for me. Curious, I asked what that might be. He answered, "Hebrews 11:23". We opened the bible and read this verse:
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command."
Upon hearing this and then beginning to think it through, my mind began reeling. I remembered a '3 month' promise before. Then it got clearer and it dawned upon me: 12 year before, to the day, the Lord had given me the 3 month marker. Further, at the end of the time, he had given me a unique 11:23 verse. As I pondered this I became incredulous. How many verses are there in the bible about something being 'hidden' for 3 months'? And to do so in a way that intersected both times with an 11:23 reference into my experience? My mind was boggled, I felt so small. And that I was a part of something God was doing that was bigger than we could completely see and being led in a way that was beyond our ability to bring to pass.
I wondered at that time if the '3 months' was again literal, and if the Lord might again release me into a destiny and position to see prayer intensified and a city reached. The 3 months came and passed without such a door opening, though ZHOP was engaged and flourishing. So I continued to work and lead my family, and to watch and to pray. But now we are approaching the 3 year mark. And we watch, and pray. Watch, and pray.
Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him? - Isaiah 40:13
6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God. 8 And David became angry because of the LORD’s outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day. - 2 Samuel, chapter 6 (NKVJ)
Points of background to this scripture: 1) God has always desired to dwell among men; the strength of His desire for us is forever burning and has been more than we can understand. 2) God does not need man's help to accomplish anything. 3) God has never been surprised by anything. Ever.
If you have issues with any of those points feel free to email me, I don't want to expand those points here this morning. Otherwise, lets examine the word of the Lord.
We should dwell on the lack of understanding that was suffered here in that the ark was supposed to be carried by priests on poles that would touch the ark directly. The biggest issue here is that the 'event administrators' (David and whoever) thought they could make the transition simply by their zeal and the process that accomplished the movement was secondary (if that). Oxen could not 'trouble' the ark if the way of God had been followed. (Its an intriguing question as to what would happen if one of the priests carrying the ark stumbled. As long as they were walking in God's ways, there would always be mercy for man's weakness... I have confidence that there would not have been judgment.)
Men still wrestle with God in their zeal... presuming it to be a righteous thing to 'help' God rather than following His ways. Not everyone gets to carry the ark. And to those appointed to do so, its not a privilege they have earned. They do qualify by their lifestyles to do so in the moment, but the calling is not given by man. Same thing with a real, breathing apostle or prophet. Their appointment is not by their own "goodness" or "academic accomplishment" or anything we can safely assume is righteous. Moses stuttered. Paul killed Christians. Charisma and strong personality actually can cloud the issue. Saul had the physical qualifications of what the nation wanted in a king. David was the lovesick worshipper whose greatest accomplishments were in the spirit as a worshipper, far away from the observant and people looking for a leader.
I've strayed a bit but had to unload this. God is building a house of prayer in our day that no man starts or carries. The reality is that we are invited to join Him. Don't touch the ark. Let the joy of God's availability through the death of His Son be enough. If He calls you to bear weight, do so trembling... because its outrageous that men like us would be called to such glory. If not, don't derail what God is doing by helping Him out. John the baptist said it well when he declared: 'A man can receive nothing except what is given to him from heaven.' And I tell you what I heard in the court of heaven personally: "The ark is coming." Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
2 Samuel 14:14 (The Message) - "Water spilled on the ground can't be gathered up again. But God does not take away life. He works out ways to get the exile back."
2 Chronicles 15:7 (NIV) - "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."
- Matthew 10:21-25
- “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!"
- Matthew 5:11-12
- “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
- Romans 5:3-5
- And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
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There is much to deliberate over but it has to be internal, as promises are remembered and the cost is weighed. We will never pass this way again so I pray, "Jesus, my Lord and God. Risen One, show Yourself again as my leader as I wait on You."
A friend recently gave me Andrew Murray's publication called 'Abide in Christ'. It begins with the call Jesus makes to both "Follow Me" and "Abide in Me". I was riveted by his exhortation: "You have done well to follow. You do better to abide."
I hasten to wait. I yearn for Your voice. Teach me Your ways. Show me Your glory. Help my weak, distracted heart... that I might be more impressed with You than with anything You have made. I have no good thing in me, and I have seen no good thing but You. Hear me, I am poor in spirit. Further, I am blind and deaf unless You give light and unless You speak.
Psalm 73:
25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Read more here.
Now Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.”
The 1980s were a time of great formation for me and my wife. Much of our worldview was constructed and changed through a number of things that happened through relationships and the sovereign outworking of God's purposes. Early on, Caryn and I aimed at going to Turkey and participate in church planting. The Lord clearly and gently closed the door, saying 'Wait'. So I started a 'career path' with Information Technology and then as we segued into the 1990s we began to be thrust into prayer mobilization and learning about high-level spiritual warfare and the release of the lost (who are blinded by the god of this world) into faith in Jesus. We learned a ton, man the stories I could tell. (God spoke to us in the early 90s as well about the coming of night and day prayer and of its importance in seeing the gospel advance and the church maturing into Christlikeness.)
One of those men we met in the 80s was Ralph Winter, who headed up the US Center for World Mission in Pasadena, California. Dr. Winter died on Wednesday... a hero in the faith who impact on our understanding of biblical missions was profound. Ralph and Roberta (his wife) were ordinary people who sacrificed and loved in amazing ways. I bless the Lord for His grace and kindness in touching their lives and, through them, us as well. Here is a Youtube video of Dr. Winter:
The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com
Wait on Him, I emphasize Wait On Him. Those who look to Him will not be put to shame. He is dealing with His bondservants in many nations in this hour so that the power will not destroy them. The platforms and the titles of men is not to be sought, but lovesickness and a silent determination to be completely His. The rigors of the testing in this hour for many are great, but greater is He who is in You.
Isaiah chapter 51:
You who seek the LORD:
Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.
2 Look to Abraham your father,
And to Sarah who bore you;
For I called him alone,
And blessed him and increased him.”
3 For the LORD will comfort Zion,
He will comfort all her waste places;
He will make her wilderness like Eden,
And her desert like the garden of the LORD;
Joy and gladness will be found in it,
Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
4 “ Listen to Me, My people;
And give ear to Me, O My nation:
For law will proceed from Me,
And I will make My justice rest
As a light of the peoples.
5 My righteousness is near,
My salvation has gone forth,
And My arms will judge the peoples;
The coastlands will wait upon Me,
And on My arm they will trust.
| When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes, |
| I all alone beweep my outcast state |
| And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries |
| And look upon myself and curse my fate, |
| Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, |
| Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd, |
| Desiring this man's art and that man's scope, |
| With what I most enjoy contented least; |
| Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising, |
| Haply I think on thee, and then my state, |
| Like to the lark at break of day arising |
| From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate; |
| For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings |
| That then I scorn to change my state with kings. |
