"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt  

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25 I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.

26 I recounted my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.

27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts;
then I will meditate on your wonders.

28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.

29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me through your law.

30 I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set my heart on your laws.

31 I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD;
do not let me be put to shame.

32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have set my heart free.  

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To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. 1 Corinthians 4:11-13

CHINA — Student Expelled for Confirming Faith in Christ — China Aid Association

Psalm 140: 12–13

I know that the LORD will maintain The cause of the afflicted, And justice for the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; The upright shall dwell in Your presence.

On Oct. 20, Chen Le, a high school student, was expelled from Xinjiang High School for refusing to denounce his faith, according to China Aid Association. The High School Division of the Huashan Middle School expelled Chen after he signed a document confirming he was a Christian. ChinaAid reported that Chen Le does not regret signing the document confirming his faith in Jesus Christ. He continues to stand courageously for his faith, even though his expulsion means he is barred from college entrance exams. The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to pray for Chen and his family during this challenging time. Praise God for his faithfulness. Ask God to protect and encourage him.

INDONESIA — Police Use Force to Evict Bible Students — VOM Contacts

Matthew 5: 10–12

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “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.

On Oct. 27, The Voice of the Martyrs contacts reported nearly 1,000 students at the Arastamar School of Theology face eviction from a West Jakarta former Mayor’s office, where they were living temporarily. The day before students received the eviction notice from the High Court of West Jakarta, local government authorities cut off electricity and water to the site, leading to student demonstrations. “That day … a thousand students were demonstrating outside of the building and making [a barricade with their bodies] to prevent the police troops, local government security troops and High Court officials from going into the building and destroying the building,” VOM contacts said. “ The riot began when some people from the back row of police troops [threw] stones against the students; then the students repelled it by throwing plastic chairs and stones against the police troops,” VOM contacts added. Local government authorities have told the students to leave the building by Nov. 9 because the building will be destroyed. In July 2008, Muslim extremists destroyed the Bible school campus with Molotov cocktails. They also attacked the students with acid and machetes as they were being evacuated from the burning buildings. The staff and students from the Bible school’s campus were forced into temporary shelters all over the city including a camp ground in Kampung Pulo village. Pray for the students’ encouragement and protection. Praise God for their unwavering witness.

INDIA — Christians Targeted in Violent Attacks — VOM Contacts

Hebrews 10:32–39

“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. “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “ For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

 

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“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. “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Matthew 5:11-13

PAKISTAN — Imprisoned Believers Appears in Court — VOM Sources

2 Timothy 3:10-12

But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

On Oct. 14, Asia Bibi’s husband, Ashiq Masih, her daughters and VOM contacts met her for 15 minutes before her court appearance. “Asia is in strong faith. Her eyes were hopeful. Praise God,” VOM contacts said. Asia told VOM contacts she prays everyday at 3 a.m. “I thank God that the jail administration has good behavior with me,” she said. “I don’t have trouble from them, but I miss my daughters and family. Please arrange my soon release from this jail.” Asia’s daughters were visibly upset when they met her. “The little daughter was continuously asking her mother ‘Mama when are you coming back home?’” VOM contacts said. Isha, the eldest daughter, cried and hugged her mother and would not let her go. Isha pointed to the veil on her mother’s face and said, “I want to see your face, remove this cover.” It was a sad scene. The court rescheduled another hearing for Oct. 27. On Oct. 17, Sandul and Gulsher Masir had a court hearing, but again the investigating officer did not appear. Another hearing was scheduled for October 26. Continue praying for these believers. Call on the Pakistani government to insure that the rights of Christians like Asia, Sandul and Gulsher are protected.

UKRAINE — Church Bombed in Ukraine — VOM Canada

Psalm 140:12-13

I know that the LORD will maintain The cause of the afflicted, And justice for the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; The upright shall dwell in Your presence.

On Oct. 14, a homemade bomb was thrown into the Calvary Chapel church building in Kaharlyk, Ukraine. The building is also the residence of Pastor Wayne Zschech and his family. At 7 a.m., Pastor Zschech's wife awoke to the smell of smoke. Fire officials were called to the scene the blaze which caused minor damage to the building. The six people asleep in the church at the time of the attack escaped without injury. The assailants spray painted "Out with Sects" and "OYH," an abbreviated name for a Ukrainian Nationalist movement, on the church wall. Pastor Zschech later said, "We pray that the Lord would call people to salvation and that he would build up his body. We rejoice in being chosen worthy to suffer for the sake of our Lord and His Gospel. We do also pray for safety but hold this prayer out with open hands." Thank God no one was hurt in this attack. Pray that the perpetrators of this attack will be brought to justice and come to faith in Christ.

CHINA — Update: Chinese Pastor Released — China Aid Association

Matthew 5:11-16

“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. “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Praise God! On Oct. 12, Pastor Hua Huiqi, was released from prison, according to China Aid Association. Pastor Hua was arrested by Chinese officials on Sept. 17 and thankfully, he was not physically mistreated during his detention. Upon his release, however, officials reportedly threatened to harm his 13-year-old daughter if he "caused any trouble." Pastor Hua, who is recovering at home, has urged the international community to continue praying for his ailing Christian mother, Shuang Shuying, who has also faced imprisonment. He has also requested prayer for his dying brother, Hua Huilin. Thank God for this family’s faithfulness and ask God to heal those that are sick. Pray the Holy Spirit will encourage and minister to them.

 

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While teaching the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made a series of remarkable statements.  They are remarkable because Jesus did not agree with any measure of deception - He spoke only what was true because He Himself is Truth, (i.e. Jesus was referring to Himself when He made the statement that: "You will know the truth, and the Truth will set you free.").  Yes, my reader, truth is a Person.  The reference point for the things that are true and right and pure and lovely are found in an exclusive, unique place.  Truth has a Name and a Face.  And these like no other!

Among the riveting declarations Jesus gave men among those Beatitudes was that the pure in heart will see God, (Matt. 5:8).  It begs the question then as to what constitutes "pure in heart" because if we have some basic grasp of the mercy and desire of God to reconcile men to Himself then we will WANT to see God.  If God is seen as something less than desirable then we don't see God as He is.  If thats too big of a leap for you to take reading this then you need to start at square one, right now, and begin to ask God yourself for evidence and assurance that He wants you to know Him.  Its just that simple: seek Him out.  Ask for Him to reveal Himself to you in such a way that you can feel safe in your beginning pursuit of Him.  For some of you, simply finding this web page is one such evidence.

Moving beyond that to where you are in active, deliberate pursuit to find God it behooves you to have hope that you can see God.  Man was made for communion with God like nothing else we were made to experience.  Nothing fits into your life as importantly and as pleasurably as knowing God.  But we all start when we begin to grasp how fallen we are.  By fallen, I mean that we are actually blind and deaf when it comes to spiritual truth.  We cannot generate our own light to even begin to seek Him.  No man is "smart enough" to find God, or "good enough" to assume fellowship with Him.  Man's best and brightest cannot close the distance between us and Him.  He is truly that Glorious and Wonderful, and we are truly that broken and poor.  Man by himself seeks for himself.  The warmth of love and the pleasures of His Beauty are vacant in our experience as well as from among what we desire.  Is humanity that desperate without God?  Yes.  What we build for and hope for and dream about is so much less than what God offers us.
"OK, Greg Burnett", you say.  "If thats the state of my existence then how can I ever hope to be pure in heart?  How can I ever hope to see God?"  Good questions.  Critical ones.  I'll address those in a follow up post.

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In a personal note, I'm yet waiting for the next season.  To everything there is a season, and its clear we are done in the local context.  I moved my family to Charlotte 11 years ago, and God sent us to build prayer here.  He has exceeded my expectations in that regard and for that I am forever grateful to be a part of His work on the earth in my generation.  I remember in the first several years while we were waiting on the Lord here a friend called me and described me as "shipwrecked".  I was rather intrigued by his observation, which I recognized came from Acts chapter 27.  The apostle Paul was shipwrecked during his missionary pursuits.  (There is even an inlet on the island of Malta called St. Paul's bay which legends holds was the place Paul landed as depicted in the scriptures).  Reflecting upon it for some time, I saw some validity to his statement in that God leads us into difficulty to grow us into greater Christlikeness.  Through such circumstances the temptations to get bitter are great, like the reefs around such an island.  The only way through them is to worship and pray, to find God in His word.  Oh to be more impressed with God Himself than our circumstances!  (Even in the blessing, and times of increase and favor!)
So I'm waiting again.  I would quickly state here, friend, that God's best is worth waiting for.  Let Him lead you in His triumph, don't lean on your own strength or understanding.  Instead, get lower!   As singers have sung, the river of God's Spirit rushes to the lowest place!
As for me, I'm watching and worshipping.  I'm listening and looking for glimpses of His beauty!  I bear witness that a man can only accomplish the works of God when he is sent by God.  And so I wait.  Find me watching, O God.  See my weak heart which desires You and strengthen that which must remain!

 

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This happened once before,
When I came to your door,
No reply.
They said it wasn't you,
But I saw you peep through your window. 
I saw the light, I saw the light. 
I know that you saw me,
'Cause I looked up to see your face.

I tried to telephone,
They said you were not home,
That's a lie. 
'Cause I know where you've been,
And I saw you walk in your door. 
I nearly died, I nearly died,
'Cause you walked hand in hand
With another man in my place.

If I were you I'd realize that I
Love you more than any other guy. 
And I'll forgive the lies that I
Heard before when you gave me no reply.

I've tried to telephone,
They said you were not home,
That's a lie. 
'Cause I know where you've been
And I saw you walk in your door. 
I nearly died, I nearly died,
'Cause you walked hand in hand
With another man in my place.

No reply, no reply.
 

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