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.

 

 

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. Romans 5:3-5
NEPAL — Extremists’ Warn Believers — VOM Sources
Revelation 12: 10-11
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
UPDATE: On June 10, The Voice of the Martyrs received a copy of a letter from the Nepal Defense Fund (NDF), threatening to bomb 10 Christian homes in Nepal, if believers did not leave in 30 days, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. The letter written by R.P. Mainali, the supreme commander of the NDF, published in a local newspaper, said the Nepalese government should not have released 62 Christians, in 1989 and 1990, who had been jailed for actively proselytising. The letter warned that these Christians, who have continued their work, were threatening Hinduism. “We are giving these unholy elements who are grabbing the authority of the people of the country under the cloak of religion, a notice of one month to leave the country, otherwise we will explode 10 bombs in the homes of the 10 Christians in Nepal, for which we take responsibility in advance,” the NDP letter said. The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to pray for believers in Nepal who are living under these threats. Ask God to protect them and for their courageous testimony to draw non believers into fellowship with Christ.
CHINA — Bookstore Owner Sentenced — China Aid Association
Psalm 5:11
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.
On June 10, a Chinese court sentenced Christian bookstore owner, 38 year-old, Shi Weihan, to three years in prison for “illegal business operations,” and fined him US$21,975 , according to China Aid Association. Shi Weihan operated a legal bookstore and only sold books with the government’s approval. His Holy Spirit Trading Company printed Bibles and Christian literature and distributed then freely to local house churches. Weihan was arrested in November 2007 for printing and distributing Bibles and other Christian literature. He was released in January 2008 due to insufficient evidence, but was arrested again in March and held indefinitely. China Aid reported his sentence will run from November 2007 to November 2010. Believers hope that Weihan will be allowed to appeal his sentence because of medical reasons. While in prison his diabetic condition has worsened. The Voice of the Martyrs has been actively involved in ministry in China for the past 30 years. VOM supports persecuted believers like Shi Weihan, who are paying a great price for their faith in Jesus Christ.VOM encourages you to pray for Weihan and his family during this difficult time. Ask God to encourage and protect them and for Weihan to be released from prison.
PAKISTAN — Imprisoned Christian Strong in Her Faith — VOM Sources
Psalm 91:1-10
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[a] 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, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
Imprisoned Christian, Sandul Bibi, remains strong in her faith and is concerned about her family’s faith despite being in prison for the past eight months, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. Sandul has been encouraged by the prayers of other believers and her spirits are high even though the prison is hot and she has been suffering from allergies. Her family has provided her with medication for the allergies. In spite of these challenges, Sandul is concerned with her family’s faith and encourages them to remain strong in the Lord. VOM encourages you to continue praying for Sandul and her father Gulsher who are both in prison. Ask God to protect and encourage all believers in Pakistan.

 

 

Eleven Twenty-three

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



 

 

Follow The Lines
1 Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the LORD of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. 3 So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill, accompanying the ark of God; and Ahio went before the ark. 5 Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the LORD on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals.
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)

When things are moving and God is setting up a new thing (or new level of an old thing) its a time frame that is replete with temptations and challenges.  Read the scripture above from 2 Samuel as an example of God's moving and of the demands God makes in such a time.

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."

 

 

Depiction of the Trinity on the portal of the ...
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12
NEPAL — Hindu Extremist Threaten More Bombings — VOM Sources

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!"
UPDATE – The leader of the Hindu extremist group, Nepal Defense Fund (NDF), has threatened to bomb the homes of all Christians if they do not stop spreading the gospel within one month, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. In a letter received by local newspapers in Nepal, R.P. Mainali, the supreme commander of the NDF, demanded that Nepal be declared a Hindu state and Christians should not be allowed to worship freely. He said Hindu groups would not allow foreign missionaries and if the government did not comply, “they would fight the government.” NDF was responsible for the May 23 bombing of a Catholic church in Kathmandu that killed three believers and wounded 15 others. VOM is assisting six injured believers with medical treatment through VOMedical. Ask God to heal those who were injured. VOM encourages you to pray for believers in Nepal who face increased persecution and uncertainty. Ask God to protect and encourage them. Pray their testimonies will draw others into fellowship with him.
IRAN — House Church Raided by Police — VOM Sources

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."
On May 21 five newly converted Christians were arrested in Karaj, Iran after plain clothes security officers raided a house church where they had gathered for a Bible study, according to Farsi Christian News Network. Javad Abtahi, was among those arrested and his house was searched during the raid. … [He] was given no arrest warrant by the security officers and his house was searched without any court authorization,” FCNN said. “In this search and seizure, several Bibles, New Testaments were confiscated and all the participants were handcuffed and taken to an unknown location.” The families of the arrested believers have tried to ask the government where their loved ones are being held, without any success. FCNN added that the government has always refused to disclose where it holds arrested believers. The Voice of the Martyrs supports persecuted believers like the five recently arrested. VOM encourages you to pray for these believers and others in Iran who risk their lives daily because of their faith.
CHINA — Pastor banned from church in Tianjin province — China Aid Association

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.
On May 16, the Office for Religious Affairs in Jinghai county, Tianjin province, China issued a notice abolishing the Immanuel Church and banning Pastor Han Changxu from serving there, according to China Aid Association. Pastor Han, an ethnic Korean and native of Heilongjiang province, has been the pastor of the church since 2004. During the 2008 Olympics, authorities in Tianjin province placed Pastor Han under surveillance when they discovered he had contacts with missionaries from South Korea. Authorities have also tried to prevent him from maintaining contact with churches in South Korea. Ask God to give encouragement and guidance to members of the Immanuel Church. Pray that Pastor Han will be free to continue his ministry without opposition. Pray that Christians in China will find comfort in knowing that endurance in trials leads to godly character and hope that does not disappoint.



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Into the fray

Good morning Brandenburg
Summer, what a phenomenon.  Longer days, humidity.  Sprinklers whirlling their trade.  Fields green, promising gold.

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.
 

 

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12
CHINA — Christians Released From Prison — China Aid Association
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."
On May 9, 16 Christians from the China Gospel Fellowship were released early from administrative detention in Xinye, Henan province, according to China Aid Association. The Christians were released before serving their 10 to14 day sentences and without paying the 1,000 Yuan (US$150) fine. The released believers were part of a group arrested on April 30 and accused of “harming the society by falsely using the name of religion and Qi Gong.” Public Security Bureau officials raided the meeting and arrested the Christians. Two Christians were released days later, but 16 were held until May 9. Praise God these believers were released without restrictions. The Voice of the Martyrs has been supporting and encouraging believers in China for more than 30 years. VOM encourages you to pray for these and other believers who risk their lives for the sake of the gospel. Ask God to protect and provide for Christians in China who risk arrest every time they meet for worship.
INDIA — Pastor Brutally Attacked — VOM Sources
Psalm 9:13-16
Have mercy on me, O LORD! Consider my trouble from those who hate me, You who lift me up from the gates of death, That I may tell of all Your praise In the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in Your salvation. The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made; In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught. The LORD is known by the judgment He executes; The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.
On May 2009, Pastor Ramesh Mandevey was brutally attacked and left for dead by 10 Hindu extremists while he was returning from visiting a believer’s home in Tundavata, Madhya Pradesh, India, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. The extremists questioned the pastor and another believer about their evangelistic activities. “Before Pastor Ramesh could answer, they started beating him severely using their fists, clubs and rods,” VOM contacts added. “Thirsty, tired and severely injured, Pastor Ramesh started crawling towards a nearby tree. Before he could reach the shelter of the tree, the extremists returned and snatched his mobile phone, [his] wallet that had Rs. 500 (US$10) and [his] camcorder.” The pastor was later taken to the hospital with severe injuries on his right arm, leg, head and jaw. The injuries on his jaw are so severe that he is unable to swallow food. Before the attack, Hindu extremists lodged a complaint with the police accusing the pastor of forcibly converting Hindus. VOM encourages you to pray for this pastor who is risking his all for the sake of the gospel. Ask God to heal him and use his testimony to minister to his persecutors.
NEPAL — Three Christians Killed in Church Bombing — VOM Sources
Psalm 119: 161-168
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. I hate and abhor lying, But I love Your law. Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments. Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble. LORD, I hope for Your salvation, And I do Your commandments. My soul keeps Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly. I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways are before You.
On May 23, a bomb killed three Christians and wounded 15 others at the Assumption Catholic Church, in Kathmandu, Nepal, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. During Mass attended by more than 250 people, a young man and woman entered the church and placed a bag on the floor of the church. “A few minutes later a bomb exploded sending shrapnel and nails flying into the congregation, “VOM contacts said. A 15 year-old girl was killed instantly and a 30-year-old newlywed who was visiting her family from India, died on the way to the hospital. Fifteen others were injured including one of the priests. Three remain critical. A second bomb was later disarmed by police before it detonated. Pray for the families of the deceased. Ask God to heal those who were injured and to protect believers in Nepal. Ask God to use the testimonies of believers to draw non believers into fellowship with Him.

 

 

G3 is blogging!

I added a link to a new blog on my blogroll over to the right: Guyathri is online!

 

 

September 11th 2008 - It's not great art unles...
I read much from the Harvard Business Review.  Not because they are the be-all and end-all in regards to business leadership, but I do find them notable and even exceptional at times.  They have a proven history of calling leaders to lives of integrity and in many regards ping true in regards to recognizing even noble motivations that should be at play within the mind and hearts of leaders.  Here is a case in point:

There are three little words that extraordinary leaders know how to say, and I'm not thinking of "I love you" (but those are pretty good). The magic words are "I was wrong." Husbands and wives know that saying those words to each other can be even more endearing than endearments. When leaders say them to their teams in a timely fashion, they build confidence and can move on to a better path.
The simple sentence "I was wrong" is the hardest for leaders to utter and the most necessary for them to learn.

Read more here.
 

 

Numbers 10:29

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
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
INDIA — Churches Attacked, Believers Beaten — VOM Contacts
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In recent weeks, The Voice of the Martyrs has received several reports of violence against Christians. On May 5, Hindu extremists attacked approximately 200 Christians gathered together for a meeting in Mumbai. Extremists forcefully entered the building, blocked the exits and ordered the believers to chant "Jai Shri Ram" (Praise Lord Ram). Those who refused were beaten. Several were injured, including a 5-year-old girl and a pastor who required five stitches in his head. Meanwhile, on May 5, a church building was set on fire by Hindu extremists in Andhra Pradesh state. Neighbors alerted the pastor and church members of the fire and by the time they arrived on the scene the furniture, pulpit, carpet and audio equipment had been destroyed. Also, on May 7, Hindu extremists disrupted a prayer meeting held in a home in Madhya Pradesh state. The extremists shouted abuses and assaulted the believers present. One believer suffered a broken arm. Five of the believers were arrested and taken to a police station. All were granted bail the next day. Pray for peace in India. Pray for healing for injured believers. Ask God to strengthen Christians in India to continue to be salt and light in the midst of oppression.
TURKMENISTAN — Formerly Imprisoned Christian Under Fire — Forum 18 News
2 Thessalonians 1:5
which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
Authorities have threatened to seize the property of a formerly imprisoned Christian man unless he pays a large sum of money they claim he acquired illegally in 1995, according to Forum18 News. Shageldy Atakov was imprisoned in 1999 on charges of swindling another individual out of US$12,000 during a car deal. Atakov and other local Christians maintain that the charges were fabricated in order to stop his Christian activity. While in detention at the Seydi Labour Camp, Atakov was beaten repeatedly, received inadequate medical attention, poor diet and given psychotropic [mind-altering] drugs for refusing to abandon his faith. He was released in January 2002. He served the full prison sentence, thus he is already cleared of the alleged debt now being demanded by authorities. On April 29, a local official visited his home in order to assess the value of their property and examine ownership documents. Pray that all false allegations against Atakov will cease. Pray for strength and protection for Atakov and his family. Pray that Christians facing trials in Turkmenistan will remember that they will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which they are suffering.
INDONESIA — Christian Families Driven Out of Their Villages — VOM Sources
Psalm 29:11
The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.
Two families were driven from their villages in West Java, Indonesia, in March after they converted to Christianity from Islam, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. When one family returned home from a mass baptism, their landlord asked them to vacate his property they were renting. He was angry because they were now Christians. “The Muslim leaders [in the village] supported the land owners to drive out the family,” VOM contacts reported. “The husband and father [was] also fired from his job because they had converted to Christianity.” Meanwhile, on March 19, another family in a different village in West Java was also evicted from their home after being baptized. “They were summoned by a Muslim leader [in the village] and told they should leave the village because Christians make the village unclean,” VOM contacts added. Pray for these families and many believers in Indonesia who face persecution because of their faith.
 

 

I sense a new wind has begun, albeit very gently.  The coming of power with the gospel will be on the increase in coming months.  To those who heed the need to tack their sails and adjust, as they continue to follow Jesus they will see God's Spirit doing new things.  The temptation will, again, be to leave Him in presumption as to what He is doing in the bigger picture.  It might not be quickly visible when this occurs, but the evidence is the diminishing of His voice in the work even though He would continue to manifest His power for a while so as to heal the wounded, the outcast and the broken hearted.

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:

1 “Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness,
      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.
 

 

Shakespeare Sonnet 29

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.