In the Shadow of His Cross...Pt. 2

2 Corithians 11:25

Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned,

Galatians 6:17

From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand marks of Jesus.

The physical afflictions that the Apostle Paul suffered for his faith in Christ left scars on his body. He must have thought about the wounds that the Lord Jesus Christ also received. Those wounds that Jesus received for our brother Paul. Those wounds that Jesus also received for our salvation.

No wonder our brother Paul could declare to the Colossians that he rejoiced in his sufferings for their sake. Paul goes on to say that in his flesh he does his share on behalf of the body of Christ. He fills up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. Not that Paul is saying that what he is suffering surpasses the sufferings of Christ. But to realize that he is called to suffer for the Lord Jesus Christ as we all are.

Even now our persecuted brothers and sisters in the shadow of the cross are filling up that which is lacking in the afflictions of Christ. They are suffering for Him and count it a joy to endure hardship for His name.

A follower of Jesus shares about an attack that was made on his body. He says below,

"The attack help me get closer to God," he said. "I was away from the Lord. I was doing bad things, living a life of sin. While I was healing, I was always asking the Lord to change me, to make me more perfection in my heart."

This brother has a shattered jaw that had to be anchored with screws. His stomach is scarred from a bullet that was removed from him. Yet his heart has been transformed from the scars of sin.

Our brothers and sisters in restricted nations carry the brand marks of Jesus. Yet they rejoice in their sufferings and consider it an honor to suffer for him. The marks on their bodies or a reminder of His marks for them. For these dear saints are in the shadow of the cross.

Let us please remember our persecuted brothers and sisters and keep them in our prayers.

Bro Blaine

Double post

.
Matthew 10:32-33

Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess Him before my father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.

From the movie God is Not Dead Part 2

I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world than stand with the world and be judged by God.

This morning we learned that two brothers were found guilty for quoting the Bible in Great Britain. The verse they quoted was John 14:6 

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the father but through me."

For declaring the truth that Jesus is the only way the salvation, these two men were charged with the hate crime of quoting the Bible.

The trial went four days. Ian Jackson the prosecutor said,

"To say to someone that Jesus is the only God is not a matter of truth. To the extent that they are saying the only way to God is through Jesus that cannot be a truth."

After reading the above statement I almost want to do a duh huh???   It sounds like what Mr. Jackson is saying is that there is no absolute truth.  Thus everything is reduced to relevance. Translation would be all roads lead to God.  To declare that there is only one way to God. And that being Jesus Christ can' very well land one in trouble.

Yet down through the ages the witnesses of Jesus have always declared that He is the only way by which men can be saved.  There is no other way one can come to God except through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Because this happened in Britain this will certainly happen here in America. The issue may be Islam.  But it could also be the LBGT.  But we as believers in the shadow of the Cross need to ask ourselves what will our response be. Will we dare to confess Christ and be prepared to pay the consequences for saying such.  Or will we deny him and run the risk of eternal condemnation.

Dear saints, our persecuted brothers and sisters, face this issue on a daily basis in restricted Nations. Those in the shadow of the cross pay the price, some even with their own blood, to confess Jesus Christ as Lord. To say that He is the only true way to salvation.

It is one thing to go watch a movie like God is not Dead and cheer the hero on when they have stood up against the evil of an atheist professor or an ungodly school board.  Then we walked out of the theater and knowing that God has triumphed.  But this is Hollywood. 

Those who are in the shadow of the cross do not have a Hollywood ending. They do not have the Goodnews Boys singing God is on the inside roaring like a lion.  The victory of our persecuted brothers and sisters is found in the blood of the Lamb and their testimony in Jesus and they not loving their lives even when faced with death.

The question to us now in the Americs is this. Will we stand with God and be judged by the world or will we stand with the world and be judged by God?  Or to put it another way. Will we choose to stand with our persecuted brothers and sisters who are in the shadow of the cross.

Bro Blaine 

.
I posted this video of the story of Fatima earlier on the other thread. I thought it appropriate to post it again. The brother from Open Doors tells the story of a young woman who converted to Jesus in Saudi Arabia. He also tells the story of the price that she paid.

I wanted to post the video again in light to the discussion that is taking place regarding the two brothers who were arrested for quoting the Bible. They were daring to challenge Islam in a democratic nation. At least in a nation that once held to democratic values.  

In watching the video below you will see what happens when one dares to convert to Jesus in an Islamic country. When one dares to come into the shadow of the cross and the price that they must pay.

https://youtu.be/-C23vIl0dKw

But then brothers and sisters. Can we as Fatima say, "I am a Christian even unto death."

Bro Blaine 

.
Psalm 116:15

Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His godly ones.

Below is a link to an article which describes Fatima's journey to Jesus. This young sister was martyred at the tender age of 26. Yet her profound experience in Christ is incredible. But it does seem that those in persecution have a far deeper walk with Jesus than we do in the West.

http://www.limerickcitychurch.com/blog/sara-fatima-al-mutairi-christian-martyr-from-saudi-arabia-2008

This dear sister found her fellowship with other believers through the internet, telephone and online forms.  I mention this as there is some discussion which insist one must be a member of a local church.  In restricted nations such as Saudi Arabia this is not always a possibility. Sometimes believers are isolated in hostile environments. Their fellowship with other saints often comes via the internet.

We must realize that those in the shadow of the Cross who endure pereecution have a far different perspective than we do in the West. While we are busy debating theology. Our persecuted brothers and sisters are busy living out the reality of Jesus by carrying His cross. Fatima was one such person.

Bro Blaine 

.
Imagine you had only two hours to live. Your brother has found out that you are a follower of Jesus. He has said that in two hours he will come back and kill you. That after he has taken your cell phone and locked you in your room. What would you do?

The link below is Fatima's final poem she wrote before her brother horribly tortured and murdered her.  Her brother worked for the Saudi secret police. And he was exonerated of the killing of his sister. At least I believe I read that in a report.

Evidently Fatima have been following Jesus for only a few months. Yet her simple and pure devotion to Christ would expose the shallowness of much of our American faith.

The link below is Tom Doyle telling the story of Fatima's last hours on earth.

https://www.jashow.org/articles/islam/muslims-trusting-jesus/a-martyrs-final-poem/

The dear sister was truly in the shadow of the cross.  But then it is estimated that every 5 to 10 minutes a saint pays the ultimate price by shedding their blood for Jesus. For they truly are in the shadow of the cross.

Let us stand with our persecuted brothers and sisters and keep them in our prayers.

Bro Blaine 

.
What is it like to be a Christian in a nation such as Iran?  What does it cost to follow the Lord Jesus Christ?

The short video below is a movie based on true events.  The languages is in Farsi. But there are English subtitles. Please be advised there are reenactments of graphic events.  But the movie is a depiction of what believers in the Iranian underground church endure. But the gospel is going forth in Persia.

https://youtu.be/qY_3H7yQ5CY

After you have watch the video please do keep our brothers and sisters in the nation of Iran in your prayers. For they are truly in the shadow of the cross.

Bro Blaine 

.
Before the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran there were approximately three hundred or so evangelical believers in that nation.  As a result of the oppression and the persecution that followed the gospel begin to grow and bear fruit in Iran. But it was not without cost.

In 1984 brother Mehdi Dibaj, an Iranian Pastor was arrested. He spent nine years in jail and sentenced to death in 1993. This brother was prepared to lay down his life for Jesus.  The brother says below,

... I have always envied those Christians who are martyred for Christ Jesus our lord. What a privilege to live for the Lord and to die for him as well. I am filled to overflowing with joy. I am not only satisfied to be in prison... But I'm ready to give my life for the sake of Jesus Christ...

After much world attention and prayer brother Dibaj was released from prison and death. But the celebration was short-lived. Five months later this dear brother was abducted and murdered on his way to his daughters birthday. It was believed that he was killed by Muslim extremist.

Another brother in Christ, Bishop Haik Hovsepian, brought the attention of brother Dibaj to the world.  This brother realized to do so would be bringing great risk to himself. But though brother Hovesepian was successful in bringing about the short release of brother Dibaj. Brother Hovsepian was martyred three days after the release of brother Dibaj.  It is believed that Islamic extremists were instrumental in the martyrdom of both men. Probably at the behest of the Iranian government.

To this day we're not aware of any official executions of Christians by the Iranian government. But it is believed that a number of believers in Jesus have been hung.  Thus the country of Persia is covered by the blood of the martyrs. And out of their blood much gospel seed has been sown.  The church in Persia is considered one of the fastest growing churches in the world. Operation World ranks it number one in proportion to its population.  Whereas about forty years ago there were only 300 believers or so in Iran. Now there are tens of thousands who choose to be in the shadow of the cross and follow Jesus.

Below is a short video made by the children of brother Hovesapian.  Based on true events the video reenacts what our brothers and sisters suffer as they carry the cross in Iran. Also the end of the video describes why it was made. The video is entitled  "A Letter From Prison, Iran"

https://youtu.be/vY-JLFpWGgY

For those who are so led by the Spirit we will be praying for Iran tonight on a prayer call. Information for the call is below.

Time of call is.......
9 p.m. Eastern
8 p.m. Central
7 p.m. Mountain
6 p.m. Pacific

Call number and access code are.......

712.775.7035.......281207#

But even if you are not able to join the call please do remember our brothers and sisters in Iran in your prayers. For they are truly in the shadow of the cross.

Bro Blaine 

.
In many parts of the world believers in Jesus observe Lent.  This is a period of 40 days leading up to the cross of Christ. This is a time when saints will meditate upon the death burial and leading up to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

For us as evangelicals we often dismiss the idea of observing lent as church dogma or ritual.  Yet this can also be a good time to remember our brothers and sisters who are in the shadow of the cross.

Open Doors has put out a guide called Praying for the Persecuted Church Through Lent.  The guide can be obtained from the Open Foors website. Each day will feature a scripture selection and a country to pray for.  The countries will be drawn from the Open Doors World Watch List.

Lord willing for the next 40 days I will seek to post the 40 countries that OD asks us to pray for.  Since I'm starting a few days late. These daily devotions will not be current with the celebration of Lent. But again this is to encourage prayer for our brothers and sisters who are in the shadow of the cross.

Again you can obtain your own copy of this guide through Open Doors or you may cut and paste and share this through your social media. I would urge you to do this please. As I am about encouraging prayer for our brothers and sisters who are in the shadow of the cross.

___________________________

Praying for Persecutef Brethren Throigh Lent 

DAY 1: PRAY FOR CHRISTIANS IN NORTH KOREA

JOHN 15:20

Remember the word that I spoke to you,, "A slave is not greater than his master." If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you, if they kept my word they will keep yours also.

Worship of the ruling Kim family is mandated for all citizens, and those who don’t comply (including Christians) are arrested, imprisoned, tortured or killed. Entire Christian families are imprisoned in hard labor camps, where unknown numbers die each year from torture, beatings, overexertion and starvation.

PRAY: I pray for my brothers and sisters in North Korea. I pray that you, Lord, would encourage and support them. Protect their secret churches and encourage those in prison. Lord, strengthen my persecuted family in North Korea. ”“ Amen

My brothers and sisters please do keep our persecuted family in North Korea in your prayers this day. Please do remember those who are in the shadow of the cross.

Bro Blaine 

.
Dear saints below is a heart moving prayer video for North Korea. As you watch this short video please do remember our brothers and sisters in that nation in your prayers.

For these dear saints are truly in the shadow of the cross.

http://www.prayercast.com/phone/north-korea.html

Bro Blaine 

.
DAY 2: PRAY FOR CHRISTIANS IN SOMALIA

READ: HEBREWS 13:13

So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.

Since the downfall of Ziad Barre in 1991, Somalia has become a safe-haven for Islamic militants. Christian converts from Islam in the country have been facing a great deal of persecution, and martyrdom is very common. The mere suspicion of one’s having renounced Islam leads to a rushed public execution.
 
PRAY: Today, I pray for my persecuted siblings in Somalia. Lord, protect and provide. Meet their needs and show them Your everlasting hope. You are the God of shalom; Lord, bring peace. ”“ Amen

Please do keep our persecuted brothers and sisters in the nation of Somalia and your prayers.

Bro Blaine

.
Saints please join with this dear brother as he cries out for his beloved nation of Somalia.

http://www.prayercast.com/phone/somalia.html

Bro Blaine 

.
Dear Saints,

I can no longer cut and paste from the Open Doors prayer guide through Lent. But I believe the Holy Spirit has givien me another way to encourage us to keep praying for our persecuted family during this Lent season.

______________________________

Day 3...Praying for Afghanustan 

Christians in Afghanistan experience extreme persecution. Severe pressure on believers, resulting from Islamic oppression, is exerted mostly by families, friends and community, but also by local religious leaders. The state authorities are weak, and Islam is viewed as a welcome unifying factor, especially as society agrees that conversion away from Islam cannot be tolerated. Many who convert from Islam to Christianity are murdered once their extended families learn of their new faith. In other families, Christian converts are delivered to mental hospitals under the premise that no one in their right mind would ever choose to leave Islam. In any case, converts usually lose their rights to personal property and possessions, effectively leaving them destitute. This can occur even upon the mere suspicion of conversion ”” a fear tactic that leads family members to react all the more harshly in curbing even the slightest hints of interest in Christianity.

PRAYER POINTS FOR AFGHANISTAN

Pray for believers in Afghanistan who lack fellowship, especially new converts who fear telling anyone about their faith in Christ.

Pray for those who lose worldly possessions to persecution when they gain eternal life.

Pray that they would be able to forgive their persecutors to the glory of God.

________________________________

Please keep these Afghan believers in your prayers who are in the shadow of the cross.

Bro Blaine 

.
A brother cries out for his country of Afghanistan.

http://www.prayercast.com/phone/afghanistan.html

Please pray that Jesus will shine in the hearts of those who are in darkness in Afghanustan. Please pray that God will strengthen his little flock who are in the shadow of His cross in that nation.

Bro Blaine 

.
Day 4...Pray for Christians in Pakistan 

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

There are multiple groups of Christians experiencing persecution in Pakistan. Historical Christian communities exist openly, but have to put up with stringent rules and constant monitoring, while Christian converts from Islam suffer the brunt of persecution from both radical Islamic groups and families and neighbors. Protestant Christian communities are under close scrutiny and suffer frequent attacks, especially when they are active in outreach amongst Muslims. Violent persecution is common. Christians are targets for murder, bombings, abduction of women, rape, forced marriages and eviction from home and country. Unjust and arbitrary blasphemy laws are used to punish Christians and prevent evangelism.

Pray for both military and terrorist leaders, that they would encounter and heed conviction.

Pray that Christians being persecuted by their families will be faithful witnesses.

Pray for Christians in Pakistan, especially those who are evangelizing and risk being charged with blasphemy by friends, family and neighbors.

Pray for Asia Bibi who has been sentenced to death in Pakistan for her testimony of Jesus.

Lord Jesus strengthen your little flock in Pakistan. May they be faithful witnesses of you. Protect those who are evangelizing and testifying of you. Protect those who have been imprisoned under the blasphemy laws such as our sister Asia Bibi. Dear God bring Justice to your chosen flock in Pakistan. For I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

Bro Blaine

.
A brother prays for his home country of Pakistan.

http://www.prayercast.com/phone/pakistan.html

Let us remember our brothers and sisters who are under persecution in the nation. Let us pray that the gospel goes forth in Pakistan.

Bro Blaine 

.
Day 5...Pray for Christians in Sudan

2  Corithians 12:9 -10

And He said to me, :My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."  Most gladly therefore I will rather boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with disstresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Sudan has been on the World Watch List since 1993 and has almost always been ranked in the top 20 over the years. Persecution in the country is systematic and reminiscent of ethnic cleansing. Under the authoritarian rule of al-Bashir and his party, there is no true rule of law in Sudan; freedom of expression has been almost entirely curtailed. The ethnic-cultural landscape is complicated and divisive: Arab versus Ethnic Africans, Muslims versus Christians. Historically, Islam is deeply embedded in Sudan’s society and the government is strictly implementing a one-religion, one culture and one language policy, which results in the persecution of Christians. Arrests, attacks and murders plague all Christian communities in the country, particularly those living in the Nuba mountains.

My Lord Jesus may your sweet grace rest upon our dear brothers and sisters in Sudan.

Please dear saints.......

Pray for Sudanese Christians who risk all for the sake of the gospel, evangelizing and preaching to those around them in spite of the risks.

Pray for Sudan’s leaders, that their hearts would be radically changed by the gospel.

Pray for Christians who could face the death penalty if their conversion from Islam is discovered.

For Him who was slain.

Bro Blaine 

.
A sudanese brother prays a fervent prayer for Sudan.

http://www.prayercast.com/phone/sudan.html

Bro Blaine 

.
Day 6...Pray for Christians in Syria

Psalm 82:3

Vindicate the weak and fatherless.
Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.

The overall situation in Syria is characterized by heavy persecution of all types of Christians in areas held by IS and other Islamic militants. Many Christians have already fled areas that are held by Islamic militants (including IS) or that were destroyed during the conflict. The Syrian opposition is becoming increasingly "Islamized” and the civil war is morphing into a form of jihad against the Syrian government. The geographical concentration of remaining Christians in strategic areas is an important factor in their vulnerability to attack, as is their alleged support for the government. Most churches are in ruins, yet some Christians make a deliberate choice to stay and reach out to their fellow countrymen with the gospel.

My Lord Jesus may those on Syria know your all embracing love.  May your peace rule and reign in the hearts of those who are in Syria.

Please.......

Pray for believers in Syria who haven’t fled the country.

Pray that they would be used as strong witnesses of Christ’s love to fellow Syrians.

Pray for the justice of Christ to draw the oppressed people of Syria to Him.

Bro Blaine

Day 6...Praying for Christians in Syria

What does it mean to be a Christian in Syria?

Liena and her family turned down offers of asylum in Western countries after the civil war broke out in Syria.  They knew the cost that might be required , but they chose to remain as witnesses to their Muslim neighbors and as an encouragement to other Christians.

Liena was a dedicated Christian, faithful wife,, and mother of two.  In her prayers, she asked God to use her to reach more people.

Watch the dramatic testimony of Liena's prayer, as she struggles with a difficult decision of how much she can offer, God.

You may never pray the same again after watching this video.

Though reenacted, some parts of the video will require viewer discretion.

https://youtu.be/ceJ9Emobfow

After watching the video, you see the answer to the question of what it means to be a Christian in Syria. But then the question needs to be asked of us. Is this what it means to be a Christian?

I do not know lf Liena and her dear husband and her children are still alive.  But they did choose to lay it all down for God.

...No man is a fool to give up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose...Jim Elliott

... If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake, he is the one who will save it. But what is a man profited if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?  For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the father and of the holy angels...Luke 9:23-26.

For truly, these are the ones who are in the shadow of the cross. Please let us remember brothers and sisters in Syria. Please let us remember our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world in our prayers.

Bro Blaine