In the Fellowship of His Sufferings

Fri AM...11/24/17

Our persecuted brothers and sisters have a different understanding of living in persecution. They understand what it is to lay all down for Jesus. The following story is true. This is transcribed from a video from Voice of the Martyrs.

https://youtu.be/wwm5bekBtqw

Video Transcript...

What Does it Mean to be a Christian in Syria?

We were praying for revival believing God would do a big work in Syria. Then the war came. Now the terrorists started attacking Christian homes, churches, and even our children. Their goal is to empty Syria of its Christians. We hate the spirit of Islam that is destroying our country. But we love our Muslim Neighbors. They come to us and say in the name of our god, terrorists rape and kill. Where is God? We tell them about Jesus. And many are coming to know Him. Still others say we are like living in hell.

Liena's Prayer

One day while I was praying. I asked God. What He would have me do to be His witness. But He only asked me, will you give me your life? As I prayed, I understood he wanted all of me. And I said yes. If the time came. I was willing to die for Jesus.

The next day while I was praying I asked God God again what he would have me do. This time he asked me. Are you willing to give Me your husband's life? It is not easy to be ready to die. My husband and I prayed about this together. We said yes to God.

The third day was the most difficult. On this day God asked me if I was willing to give up my children's lives. The terrorists know who we are. That we share Jesus with Muslims. It is not safe for our family. My husband and I prayed and fasted. And together we agreed God gave us our precious children. He has the freedom to take them back.

When we agreed to put our children on the altar. I knew I had to tell them the truth. I told them that it was possible men with swords may come through our door. Men who don't know Jesus. They may say bad things to us and try to force us to convert to Islam. But no matter what they say. We should not answer them. We should only tell them that Jesus loves them. That we forgive them. I told them that we might see some blood and have some pain. But it would only be for a little while. That we should just close our eyes. And that when we open them we will be with Jesus.

Am I a good mother to have to tell my children such things? I also told them that as God wants us to be safe that we will be safe. That he is in control. Even during the bloodshed. During the killing. He is carrying hour future.

This is what it means to be a Christian in Syria.

Or is this what it means to be a Christian?

ӢӢӢӢӢӢӢӢӢӢӢӢӢӢӢӢӢӢӢӢӢ

A few weeks ago I attended a Seventh Day Adventist church.  During the course of the service a mother with her young daughter beside her sang a moving hymn.  She sang it acapella so as the music to not draw away from the hymn's message.  As this dear sister sang I thought of the persecuted brothers and sisters. At the end of the service I went up to commend her sharing the hymn and what it meant to me.  This led to us sharing our hearts about the persecuted church.  This young mother told me that she spoke with her young daughters about our persecuted brethren.  She was also instructing her daughters that they may very well lay down their lives for Jesus. Listening to this mother's heart moved me tears. Before I left her I gripped her hand and we both wept.  But this does give me hope that God is raising up a remnant who will go through the fires of suffering in America.

”¢”¢”¢ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”¢”¢”¢ Phiippians 3:10-11

Let us remember dear saints like Leina in restricted nations.  Let us remember those who make the difficult choices to lay down everything for Jesus. And let the persecuted brothers and sisters be our examples that we too may lay down everything down for Jesus.  Let this young mother I described above be our example.  Let us remember to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters.

Only because of Jesus.

Blaine 

Fri. Noon...11/24/17

I have watched many powerful and heart gripping videos on the persecuted church.  But from time to time always return to the VOM video on Liena's Prayer. Every time I watch this video it rips my heart and I learn something new. This video is the true story, though reenacted, of what a mother had to lay down in Syria.

In her words Liena describes,

ӢӢӢ One day while I was praying. I asked God. What He would have me do to be His witness. But He only asked me, will you give me your life? As I prayed, I understood he wanted all of me. And I said yes. If the time came. I was willing to die for Jesus.ӢӢӢ

In essence what this dear sister was asking was what must I do to be a "martyr" for Jesus. In the Greek the word "martyr" means "witness".  I am sure in that part of the world in a restricted Nation Leina understood what she was praying.

Some background to the above story that came out of a VOM magazine.  Leina and her husband were pastors of a church in Syria.  As she mentions in the video they were praying for revival in their church and in Syria. The civil war came. They were caught in one of the most dangerous areas where the Jihadists were operating.  They were sharing Jesus with their Muslim neighbors who were coming to Christ. As a result of this they were in increased danger.

Contacts in Europe offered them sanctuary and aid.  The family could have fled Syria and lived safely in Western Europe. At least one would not have blamed Liena's husband if he had sent his wife and children away and he had continued his ministry among the Muslims. But after much heartache prayer and fasting. The family made the dangerous and difficult decision to stay and continue their ministry.

Thus one can see why Liena is asking the Lord what she should do to be a witness or a martyr for Jesus. Jesus asked her will you give me your life. After what I'm sure was a heart wrenching prayer she made the decision, if necessary, to lay her life down for Jesus. But she did it willingly to be a witness for Him.  She did it willingly to be a martyr for Him.

In Acts 1:8 Jesus tells his disciples,

”¢”¢”¢Â but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."”¢”¢”¢

Again Jesus is telling his disciples that they would be His "martyrs" even to the ends of the earth.  History records all of the disciples, save one, died horrible martyrs deaths.  And this has been the testimony of the followers of Christ for over 2000 years.

But how could the early and the present saints face martyrdom?  How could mothers like Liena choose to stay in a nation like Syria and endure persecution and possibly death for the Lord Jesus Christ?

Again looking at Acts 1:8. Jesus says but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. Often times we look at that verse as power in witnessing about Jesus in our evangelism. Well that is certainly true. The implication of the above text is that the disciples would receive power even when faced with martyrdom.  This has certainly been true from the first martyr, Stephen, up to present times.

Just as Liena we need to be asking ourselves what must we do to be martyrs for Jesus.  I am not advocating a cult of martyrdom. But we need to be asking ourselves what would God require of us to lay down our lives for Jesus. Granted we are not in Syria. But have the events of Sutherland Texas said something to us as believers in America?

As my team gathered to pray for the International Day of Prayer call on November 5th. We were crying out for the persecuted church and the global Harvest of souls.  Word came down to us about the slain saints in Texas.  Amidst tears we started praying and crying out for those dear people in First Batist Church in Southland Texas.  That day, 26 precious souls found their way into the arms of Jesus.  Many of them children. One was the 14 year old daughter of the pastor of that church. On that day half of the church's membership of 50 saints were slain.  That day the persecuted church came to America.  The blood of the martyrs was shed on our shores.

Though, heart-wrenching, the video of Liena's Prayer should prompt us to ask God. What would He do to have us be His witness. What would He have us to to be His martyr.

Only because of Jesus.

Blaine 

Fri PM...11/24/17

ӢӢӢ One day while I was praying. I asked God. What He would have me do to be His witness. But He only asked me, will you give me your life? As I prayed, I understood he wanted all of me. And I said yes. If the time came. I was willing to die for Jesus.ӢӢӢ

Our sister Liena had to ask the difficult question.  What would God have her do to be His witness?  This is a dear sister who's asking this question in the midst of a nation hostile to the followers of Christ.  So our sister is not asking a superficial question when she puts this question to Him.  Realizing the answer that comes back from Jesus may very well require that she lay her life down for Him.  It may very well require her death for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our brothers and sisters and restricted nation have a far greater understanding and apprehension of Romans 12:1 than we in America do.  Paul writes,

”¢”¢”¢Â Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ”¢”¢”¢

The persecuted saints would look at the above verse and realize that God is calling down to be his living holy sacrifices even into martyrdom.  In essence, to give themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ as He gave Himself for us.

The leader of a persevuted ministry in a restricted nation shared this.  He asked a sister what he should do if she were being raped by a jihadist.  The response of the sister floored this ministry leader. She told him if I were being raped. I would tell the Lord Jesus Christ that I offer my body as a sacrifice to Him.

Thus our persecuted brothers and sisters in the shadow of the cross understand the sacrifice to cross requires. Even the sacrifice of their own lives.  My question to myself and us would be are we prepared to ask God what He would require of us to be His witness.

William Borden, a young man who was heir to the Bordon dairy estate laid  aside everything to become a missionary to the Muslims.  Tragically he died of meningitis at a young age before He reached the mission field.  But he prayed a prayer. Below He prayed,

ӢӢӢ Lord Jesus, do with me what you please, as you please, when you please.ӢӢӢ

I ask myself. Can I pray what our sister Liena prayed.  Lord what would you have me do to be your witness.  Can I even pray what William Borden prayed.  Jesus do with me what you please, as you please, when you please.

The thing that comes into my heart and mind is if Jesus gave Himself for me. Can I do any less but to get myself back to Him.  May God grant me the grace to even lay down my life for Him when the time comes.

Only because of Jesus.

Blaine 

Fri Eve...11/24/17

ӢӢӢ The next day while I was praying I asked God God again what he would have me do. This time he asked me. Are you willing to give Me your husband's life? It is not easy to be ready to die. My husband and I prayed about this together. We said yes to God.ӢӢӢ

We have heard the story of Joseph Tsom.  The communist commander pointed a gun at him.  He said he was going to kill this brother in Christ. To which Joseph, I replied. "Go right ahead. My message will spread all the more."  The commander was not prepared to make Joseph a martyr. At least not that day.

If somebody points a gun at us and says deny Christ or die. Many of us would probably go on and say go right ahead and pull the trigger. Knowing that we will be absent from the body and at home with the Lord.

This certainly happened with Cassie Bernal.  She was the young martyr slain from Littleton High.  When the demonic crazed gunman pointed a gun at her and said do you believe in God. Knowing that her response would send her into eternity she said yes.  That day this young sister was absent from the body at home with the Lord.

In Rosebud Oregon a gunman got into a college classroom and asked the various students if they believed in God. When some replied yes,  he said you will meet Him in a few minutes. Some of the students were again absent from the body and at home with the Lord that day.

But would we have the same resolve to say go ahead and pull the trigger if the gun or pointed at our spouse. Or in the case of Liena if a jihadist threatened to slice the throat of her husband.  Would we stand strong in a resolve to not deny Christ if it meant to see our spouse slain in front of us.

In restricted nations our brothers and sisters must work through the issue of laying one another on the altar at the foot of the cross.  These discussions, though difficult, are necessary so that they will not betray Christ. And not betray their secret churches to the persecutors. And in many cases this has resulted in the martyrdom of a beloved spouse.

I have read heart-wrenching reports of wives seeing their husbands sliced by jihadists or blown up by Marxist guerrillas. All because they would not deny the Lord Jesus Christ. Many times because they continued witnessing of Christ to those who so desperately needed to hear the gospel.

In a nation like Iraq or Syria it is not unusual for a pastor to kiss his wife and say my beloved I pray I see you by the end of the day. But if not I will see you in heaven. These pastors and other persecuted brothers and sisters have had the difficult discussions to lay one another on the altar.

No doubt Liena and her husband had to agonize laying one another down on the altar. But after doing this they realized that each one would be in eternity.

The question is are we having these discussions in America? Are Christian couples talking about and praying through and even fasting about laying one another down on the altar? Are American eangelical couples talking about giving up one another to the Lord Jesus Christ?

Granted we are not facing what Liena had to face in Syria.  We are not seeing systematic persecution where a gun is pointed at our spouse with a threat to deny Christ or see your spouse die. But there are other ways that we can lose our spouses.

Elisabeth Elliot lost two husbands. Her first husband was martyred in South America. Her second husband died of cancer here in America. No doubt she had to work through the martyrdom of her first husband to lay him on the altar. Never expecting that the lesson she learned about giving her spouse up to God would be applied to a second husband.

A dear pastor in Indiana lost his young wife in a home invasion. As he left to work out. Someone entered the home. The young mother thinking that the invader would harm her child threw herself at him and started fighting the intruder. The Intruder shot her. the dear wife was in heaven that day with Jesus. Thankfully her child was safe.

One of my prayer leaders lost not one wife but two wives due to cancer. Brother Andy was widowed twice. Both of his wives went home to be with the Lord. Both were stricken with cancer.

Christian couples need to be having these discussions about laying one another on the altar. They need to be having these discussions about giving one another up to Christ. God forbid that any tragedy should come upon a loving husband and wife. But James tells us that we do not know what our lives will be like tomorrow.

Brothers and sisters in restricted nations that are hostile to Christ know the necessity of having these conversations as difficult as they are.  We in America need to do the same. Again we need to remember what occurred at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Texas. As I keep saying the persecuted church has now come to America. We need to look to our brothers and sisters in foreign lands who are at the foot of the cross. And we need to learn from their example.  For what occurred in Sutherland Texas could very well occur in our church this coming Sunday. God forbid that this happen.   But those precious saints in Southerland never thought that martyrdom would come up on them this past November 5th. Husbands and wives never thought that they would see their spouses blown into eternity.

Let us ask of the Lord grace to give up our loved ones to the Lord Jesus Christ. For Jesus has taught and commanded in the Gospels that He is to be loved even above our families.  If we love our families more than Jesus Himself, we cannot be His disciples.  

May Jesus give us grace and the Holy Spirit to do what we need to do in the days ahead.  For surely the persecuted church is now here in America.

Only because of Jesus

Blaine 

ӢӢӢ Duplicate PoatӢӢӢ

Sat a.m. 11/25/17

This is an extract from an article that appeared in the forum a few weeks ago.

”¢”¢”¢Â  I once shared at a home meeting in New Zealand about the need for every Christian to take up their cross and follow Him. To illustrate my message, I shared the testimony of Sister Yuen of Shanghai. It is a favorite story of the house church believers in China, and touches a deep chord in their hearts whenever they hear it.

Sister Yuen, a widow with two small children, was arrested and thrown into prison because of her faith. In a bid to make her renounce Christ, the guards brought Sister Yuen’s children and had them stand outside the prison gate. With their arms outstretched, they begged their mother to come home.

The guards taunted Sister Yuen by asking, "Doesn’t your God want you to take care of your own children? You can return home today if you just sign a statement declaring you will no longer be a Christian.”

Like any mother, Sister Yuen’s heart was torn at the sight of her crying children, and she asked the guards to bring her a sheet of paper and a pen. They hurriedly fetched the items, thinking they had finally found a way to break her faith in God. Sister Yuen calmly wrote on the paper and handed it to the prison warden. A moment later his face turned red with rage. She had written in large letters: "Jesus can never be replaced! Even my own children cannot replace Jesus!”

Sister Yuen was sentenced to 23 more years in prison. By the time she was released her children were adults, having been raised by the atheistic state. She spent months trying to locate them, and was finally able to reconcile with her daughter. Her son, however, had become a policeman and his heart was filled with hate for his mother and her God. He wanted nothing to do with her ever again.

As I shared this powerful testimony with the small group of New Zealand believers, a married couple, who were well-regarded in the Christian community of that town, threw their heads back and began to sigh and moan.

After the meeting, coffee was served. The couple marched straight up to me, obviously wanting to get something off their chests. "Your story is stupid!” they protested. "If we were in that woman’s position, we would have signed the paper. Of course God wanted her to take care of her own children!”

"So are you saying you would willingly deny the Lord Jesus to avoid going to prison?” I enquired.

"Yeah, we would,” they stated matter-of-factly. "God would understand and forgive us.”

I was astonished that a pair of professing Christians could openly admit they would willingly deny their faith under pressure, and they didn’t see anything wrong with it. I asked if they were concerned about the words of Jesus, who said, "Whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:33).

"God wants us to take care of our children,” they reiterated.”¢”¢”¢

In Liena's own words,

”¢”¢”¢Â The third day was the most difficult. On this day God asked me if I was willing to give up my children's lives. The terrorists know who we are. That we share Jesus with Muslims. It is not safe for our family. My husband and I prayed and fasted. And together we agreed God gave us our precious children. He has the freedom to take them back.”¢”¢”¢

Above we see two mothers who had to make an agonizing decision. The decision to lay their children on the altar. I can't imagine what this must have been like to the mothers. A mother is created by God to nurture and protect her child. I shared in a previous post about a young mother who threw herself in front of a home invader to protect her child only to be slain. In the reports I read about Sutherland Texas one or two young women put themselves in front of the children to protect them from the assailants bullets only to have their lives lost.

So for a mother who follows Christ to lay her children on the altar must be difficult. Again not being a mother I can't imagine the agony and soul-searching of having to do this.

But in the lives of our brothers and sisters in persecuted nations the cross is all but central in their understanding of following Jesus.  But Paul does warn us the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.

Consider the response of the first account above of a couple in New Zealand. They told a speaker who was telling the story that God would want them to take care of their children. They said that God would understand and forgive them if they denied Christ for the sake of their children. They said to sacrifice one's children on the altar was foolishness. One would have wondered what they would have thought of Abraham laying Isaac down on the altar to be prepared to offer as a sacrifice.

This couple was a professing Western Christian couple. But yet the attitude they exhibit is typical of a western mindset. A mindset that says God does not want us to suffer.

A few years ago I posted the video where Paul Washer spoke of persecution coming to the American church. Even in the forum there were some who objected.  One brother went as far as to say that this was outright foolishness. Though these brothers are no longer in the forum. I wonder how many who read this thread would say that what I post is foolishness. But again the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. But the cross is life to our persecuted brothers and sisters.

Our persecuted family must go through the agonizing and hard decisions of placing their children at the foot of the cross.   How many fathers and mothers in this forum are having those discussions with God that they will have to put their children at the foot of the cross.

Again some may think why should I have this discussion with God? We are in America. I don't have to worry about my children being slain by jihadists. Or taken over by Chinese communist. I gently say again remember Sutherland Texas. Many of those slain on that fateful day of November 5th were children. How many parents are now grieving over the loss of their children. Even the pastor grieves over the loss of his 14 year old daughter.

Granted that these dear children are now in heaven. But did the parents release them to the Lord. No doubt they have now. But better to have the conversation with God.  And lay everything at the foot of the cross. Even our children. Thus when the time comes that they are taken away and go back to Jesus. The pain will be more bearable with the grace and love of Christ.

Please realize that a child may be taken by God in other ways. A child may be taken away by God in illness, perhaps in an accident, or in other ways. But I would encourage all of us to have the conversations with God.  Let us say to Him you gave us these children and they are yours to take.

But some would say I cannot give up my children. It is impossible. Not so with our persecuted brothers and sisters who trust in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and do what they have to do. That grace is also available to us.

Again only because of Jesus. Only because of Jesus can we lay everything down at the cross. This is what the mother from China discovered. This is what our sister Liena discovered. This is what the saints in Texas discovered. This is what we will discover. Only because of Jesus.

Blaine 

Sat p.m. 11/25/17

Romans 8:32

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

I can't help but think that Liena was thinking of God's sacrifice to her through His Son.  The Father gave His only Son so that she could have eternal life. He did not spare His Son but willingly gave Him to save her.

As Jesus willingly gave Himself to save our dear sister.  Then Liena and her dear husband would willingly get their children back to Jesus should He require it.

I can't say that it happened the way I described it above. But knowing this young couple is in a nation that is hostile to Christ. I can't help but wonder if they were thinking on the sacrifice of God the Father to give God the Son.  Perhaps they were thinking of this as they were wrestling about laying their  children on the altar.

But then our persecuted  brothers and sisters wrestle with laying everything including their own lives on the altar.  They do this because they realize that Jesus is worth the sacrifice. Even the sacrifice of their own lives and that of their families.

Yes to the average person this is foolishness. But to those who understand Christ and His cross. This is life.

Only because of Jesus.

Blaine

Our brother Jeremy wrutes...

ӢӢӢ Liena merely came to the Spirit confronting her with word about loving Him more than her family and even her life.ӢӢӢ

Indeed my brother. You have hit the nail on the head. The struggle that Liena had to go through laying down her life, and that of her husband, and then that of her children was a heart struggle. It was a struggle in her heart of loving Jesus even more then her life and that of her loved ones.

Yet as she wrestled through these intense heart issues she realized that Jesus was worth loving more than even the things of this world. Remember the Chinese mother who said that Jesus can never be replaced. Not even by my children.

Our brother Paul articulates this in Philippians 3. Paul had apprehended a reality of Christ that he was willing to suffer the loss of all things in order to know Him better. To the Apostle Paul Jesus was worth suffering for.

And that is the question I believe that guards us from a heretical, legalistic cultic teaching that would say we isolate ourselves from our families under the guise of following Christ. Many of us are familiar with such cults.

But for those who have had an apprehension of the mercy and the grace of Jesus Christ. For those who have had a baptism of His incredible love. There will be those who say Christ is worth following. Even the laying down of all things including my life.

For those who make their way from North Korea in to South China to find physical food. Then come across the spiritual food that Jesus offers. They become believers and with just a few weeks of instruction burn with a desire to take the good news of Jesus Christ back into the darkness of North Korea. They do this realizing their life expectancy may very well be from 3 to 6 months. But they are willing to risk everything to take the gospel back to North Korea realizing that Jesus is worth it.

We have read the experiences of saints who have come to saving faith and life in the Lord Jesus Christ. And because they realize that Jesus has died for them through his atoning sacrifice. These saints burn with a love to lay everything down for Jesus to take the gospel to the Lost. Even to suffer the loss of all things including their lives to see others come to Jesus.

This was the choice that Liena agonized through. And what made it all the more difficult was that this family had an out. They could have fled the Western Europe. They had sponsors who were willing to support them. But yet Lena and her husband and family chose to stay in Syria to minister Jesus Christ. "Why"? One would ask. "Why risk the lives of your family and stay in this war-torn country?"

Ask those such as Jim Elliot, Corrie Ten Boom, the Apostle Paul, Stephen the Martyr, Dalton Thomas, and countless thousands and thousands of other Saints who have gone and laid down their lives for the gospel and even suffered martyrdom. "WHY"???

Short answer. Because Jesus is worth it. Oh that this reality was so grip my heart to lay everything down for Him as my persecuted brothers and sisters are doing. The question I need to ask myself is is Jesus worth it to me?

Only because of Jesus.

Blaine

Sun a.m. 11/27/17

ӢӢӢ
O God, accept all my sufferings, my tiredness, my humiliations, my tears, my nostalgia, my being hungry, my sufferings of cold, all the bitterness accumulated in my soul. Dear Lord have pity also on those who persecute and torture us day and night. Grant them, too, the divine grace of knowing the sweetness and happiness of your love.

From a dear sister who was imprisoned in Siberia for her faith in Jesus.
ӢӢӢ

Only God knows the story of the precious saint above who prayed this prayer. But one can certainly feel in her words the sufferings that she probably endured in the gulag. And yet her faith still rested in the Lord Jesus Christ. And she still prayed for her persecutors.

I look at the above prayer and realize the shallowness of my own faith.

Lord Jesus I pray a dangerous prayer. I pray that I may know You not only in Your resurrection power. But I pray that I may know You and apprehend You in the fellowship of Your sufferings. For I ask this in Your Blessed Name. Amen.

Only because of Jesus

Blaine

Sun PM 11/26/17

https://youtu.be/wwm5bekBtqw

Again I am drawn back to the video of Liena's Prayer.  By far this is the most powerful video I have ever watched on the persecuted church.  I can't help but think that prayer went into the making of this video. For to me it carries an annoiting that speaks to my heart.  Also this video is a reenactment of a sister who struggled to lay everything on the altar.  Who struggled to give back all to Jesus.

Each time I watch the video it seems like Jesus brings something to my heart.  Such was the case this morning.

Near the end of the video Jihadists come into Lienas home.  Her husband is immediately slain.  They demand that she confess Allah. When she refuses to say anything the jihadist immediately slices her throat.  All the while yelling Allah Akbar!

When a Muslim says Allah Akbar in the midst of committing jihad they are saying Allah is Greater.  This is not Allah as in the same God we worship. This is Allah who goes by another name as Satan. In essence Satan is saying he is greater than Jesus because he martyred a saint.  Thus when Muslims martyr the believers of Christ it appears that the devil is getting the upper hand.

But John tells a different story. And Revelation 12:11 we read,

ӢӢӢ
"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.
ӢӢӢ

Thus it is a the nartyrs that gain the victory over Satan. Even those who have been martyred by Muslims.  Those who choose to not renounce Christ but to stay true to Him gain the victory over the evil one. Even if it means their life.

One of the most difficult prayer calls I ever had to convene was on the evening when 21 Coptic believers were martyred on the shores of Libya.  The Spirit was heavy and our hearts were grieving.  But I found myself in my tears telling the saints that day Satan did not gain the victory. But the Lord Jesus Christ did.  For each of those precious saints died with the name of Jesus Christ on their lips.

History testifies that the death of the martyrs is victory over the evil one. God is glorified even in the midst of the martyrdom of the saints.  It is as if God is putting His witnesses, His  martyrs on display before the whole universe to say have you considered My followers.  Have you considered my Servants.

We read in Job  that when the sons of men came and presented themselves before God. Satan in his arrogance appeared before God. God asked Satan have you considered my servant job.  Here we know what happened after that as Satan tempted Job to curse God. But yet Job kept his integrity.

Today there are those daily who hold to their integrity in the Lord Jesus Christ. There are those who will not renounce Him even when their own life is forfeit. It is as if God is saying to Satan through his persecuted church. Have you considered my suffering servants.

I'm sure there are more insights that I can be share here.  But right now I'm overwhelmed by the things that God has showed me. I trust I will share more in the days and weeks to come. Particularly in the area martyrdom.

Only because of Jesus.

Blaine

Mon. a.m. 11/27/17

ӢӢӢ
Are you so tenacious in holding to God's Word as you hold to other worldly possessions in your life such as money or your reputation? Let all else slip from your grasp yet hold on to God's Word at all cost.
ӢӢӢ

In the thought above it's not only holding on to the scriptures themselves. Which is certainly what our persecuted brethren do. But also to hold on to and cling to Jesus. For He is the Word.

Simply because of Him.

Blaine

Mon. Noon 11/27/17

Some of the most powerful words that Jesus uttered from the cross were Father forgive them for they know not what they do ( Luke 23:34).  As I have meditated on this verse I wonder if these were the words that broke the powers of hell at the cross.

As Liena instructs her children she says,

▪▪▪
They may say bad things to us and try to force us to convert to Islam. But no matter what they say. We should not answer them. We should only tell them that Jesus loves them. That we forgive them. 
▪▪▪

In the video as a jihadist is about to martyr the little girl she says to him "We forgive you." The little girl is slain and goes to be with Jesus.  No doubt he yelled Allah Akbar as he did this. Saying that Allah or Satan is greater. Perhaps someone will look at the cross of Jesus and say Satan won the victory that day because Satan killed Christ.

The reenactment of the jihadists coming into Liena's home is only that. A reenactment. To the best of my knowledge the family is still under God's protection in Syria and still ministering Jesus to Muslims. 

Yet a child or even an adult telling their persecutors they forgive them as they are undergoing martyrdom is recorded historical fact. From the time of Jesus as he told His enemies He forgave them. Through Stephen the first martyr as he prayed that God would not hold the sin of his enemies against them. Down through 2000 years of church history. Those who truly followed Christ have forgiven their enemies even in the face of their martyrdom.

When 21 Coptic believers were martyred over 2 years ago. The loved ones of those slain by the jihadists extended forgiveness to the murderers.  Where this the so-called religion of peace came murdering those who follow Jesus, the people of the cross. It was the people of the cross who responded to hate with love and forgiveness. The live abd forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

When a demonic crazed gunman came into a church in Charleston, South Carolina and martyred 9 Saints.  The families of those slain extended forgiveness to Dylan Hunt. Whereas he wanted to foment hate and a race war. The followers of Jesus extended to him love and forgiveness which cancelled out the hate he wanted to bring. Rather Satan wanted to bring.

We have mourned and grieved over the tragedy that came out of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Texas.  Yet Pastor Pomeroy, who lost his 14 year old daughter in the slaughter that took place on November 5th extended forgiveness to the slain murderer.  

I believe it was because this brother extended forgiveness to the murderer. That he was able to preach a powerful short sermon in the service that followed 2 weeks later.  The YouTube video of that service is posted in the forum.  Through tragedy God brought forth triumph in this glorious service.

Pastor Meredith from Fort Worth had s church which suffered a tragedy.  A few years ago a young man came into a youth service where he sprayed gunfire and detonated a pipe bomb. Seven precious young people were killed.  Reflecting on the tragedy in Sutherland Texas Pastor Meredith had this to say,

▪▪▪
To refuse to forgive is to insist on drinking the poison you meant for your worst enemy," the pastor told Boyd. "You always destroy yourself.
▪▪▪

Pastor Meredith, Pastor Pomeroy, the saints in Charleston South Carolina, the loved ones of the slain martyrs in Lybia, and thousands upon thousands of others have learned the words of Jesus. When they say Father forgive them for they know not what they do.  These are the words that cancel out the hate and evil of Satan.  This is what our persecuted brothers and sisters practice daily. This is what Leina taught her children

Below is a video of a Christian sister who learned to forgive the man who killed her son. And the incredible miracle that followed.

https://youtu.be/o2BITY-3Mp4

For such is the power of forgiveness through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Only because of Jesus can we truly forgive our enemies.

Blaine 

Mon. PM 11/27/17

▪▪▪
When we agreed to put our children on the altar. I knew I had to tell them the truth. I told them that it was possible men with swords may come through our door. Men who don't know Jesus. They may say bad things to us and try to force us to convert to Islam. But no matter what they say. We should not answer them. We should only tell them that Jesus loves them. That we forgive them. I told them that we might see some blood and have some pain. But it would only be for a little while. That we should just close our eyes. And that when we open them we will be with Jesus.

Am I a good mother to have to tell my children such things? I also told them that as God wants us to be safe that we will be safe. That he is in control. Even during the bloodshed. During the killing. He is carrying hour future.
▪▪▪

Here Liena is asking  the heart-wrenching question is she a good mother to have to tell her children about upcoming persecution?  There are those parents under the shadow of the cross who deal with this question as Liena did.  A child should grow up in innocence not exposed to the horrors and the evil of this world. There are those parents who want to protect them from such. Satan does not give them that option when they are facing death daily. When they are facing death from those who would seek to take their lives.

It's my understanding that the early Anabaptists instructed their children to the realities of of upcoming persecution.  I believe Martyrs Nirror is replete with accounts of parents telling their children that they most likely would be put to death. They exhorted the children to remain strong and true to the Lord Jesus Christ. Often in the fires of martyrdom they would plead with their children to love their enemies and stay true to the Lord. I believe they instructed their children to the reality that they to may very well be called to surrender even their physical lives to the reality of martyrdom.

In places such as North Korea or Eritrea parents do instruct their children to the reality that to take the name of Jesus Christ will invite imprisonment and even death.

So what Liena did is what parents do in restricted, hostile nations to the gospel ofJesus. They tell their children that the likelihood to take the name of Jesus Christ will lead to persecution and possibly even their own death. But the children are ready to accept this when persecution and affliction come.

But we in America live in a bubble. We live in a different paradigm from our persecuted brothers and sisters.  Indeed Voice of the Martyrs has come under criticism for being graphic in their presentation of persecution.  Those who have criticized VOP have said their magazine is not suitable for viewing by younger audiences.

However this is indicative of the much larger problem that Christians in America do not believe that we should suffer. In other words the cross is only for Jesus to secure our best life now. The cross is not something we take up and expect persecution.

It's a very rare parent who will instruct their child in America to the realities of persecution. I have met a few in the evangelical church who will tell their children about upcoming persecution. I mentioned previously about a Seventh Day Adventist mother who speaks to her children about persecution and the realities thereof.  But again the majority of Christian parents feel that their children should be sheltered from the realities  that believers will undergo persecution. Even in this nation.

So the question that are dear sister posed. Am I a good mother to have to tell my children such things?  My question would be. Is she a good mother if she did NOT tell her children such things.  And my question would be to us. Are we good parents if we DO NOT tell our children about the persecuted church and upcoming persecution in America.

Again simply because of Jesus.

Blaine

Mon. Eve 11/27/17

From Open Doors

Today we share a message composed by Steve Haas for Prayer for the Persecuted Church:

To the angel of the church of the despised, incarcerated, separated, raped, and martyred; the Persecuted Church. These are the words of him who knows your patient endurance, understands your distress, and like you has been faithful to the shedding of his own precious blood.

You say you are isolated, cut off, that no one acknowledges your state. I see the terrors you face: the raids of your house churches in Laos, Indonesia, and China; the assault and murder of your leadership in Iran, India, and Chechnya… I register every tear that is cried, record each longing conceived, hear each desperate plea confessed.

I identify intimately with your plight. I have not forgotten you. Nor have many others who, although unfamiliar with the gravity of your suffering, draw hope and strength from your noble sacrifices for me. I have revealed your plight to your brothers and sisters in Christ and have called thousands of churches to pray for you and to serve you.

You say you are afraid. Recognize what you have that cannot be taken away. I have given you new life, an irrepressible joy, and an ever-present Spirit. Your transforming faith in me cannot be crushed but instead shines like a lighthouse, drawing those who sincerely search for the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

You say you are losing hope. Know that these afflictions are not the final word, that I am sovereign and just. In time, I will repay.

Although these tribulations threaten to overwhelm you, I have prepared an eternal place of peace for you, a permanent sanctuary of refreshment and true freedom that begins the moment you recognize me as Lord and serve me as King. I am with you always.

Beware of those who come from outside your fellowship, who masquerade as teachers of the church but elevate personal comfort over godly obedience. Many travel from long distances and present themselves as spiritual masters of the faith, proclaiming that temporal health and security are your due. Do not listen to them. Theirs is a false teaching, only shackling you to the unrequited masters of greed and disquiet. In the midst of your suffering, I will prove to be your only true peace and anchor…

I delight in your resourcefulness with little, your dignity in suffering, your joyful endurance in the midst of adversity. It is these things that give witness to a power above all earthly kingdoms, a source of strength stronger than the might of any human power.

Remain faithful, and I will raise you up in victory. Patiently endure, for I will not tarry long.

▪▪▪

Please let us remember our persecuted family in our prayers.

Only Because of Jesus.

Blaine

Tues. a.m. 11/28/17

The book of Hebrews says,

▪▪▪

In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety....Heb. 5:7

▪▪▪

When a brother or sister is thrown into prison, even into solitary confinement. The Bible is ripped from their hands.  Thus these precious saints find that prayer is there only comfort, their only lifeline to God.

Below is a short video clip of a brother who found that solitary prayer was that comfort through which God sustained him.

https://youtu.be/R-QJehD4A7g

Please pray for the prisoners. Please pray for those who persecute the prisoners.   For the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much ( James 5:16).

Your brother in Christ.

Blaine 

Tues. Noon 11/28/17

When one member of the body suffers we all suffer. Somehow denominational or theological backgrounds are minimized at the cross. Below a beautiful prayer offered by The Armenian Orthodox Church on behalf of those slain in Sutherland Texas. When tragedy strikes one part of the body. We realize that we all are brothers and sisters. We realize that at the cross all ground is level.

PRAYER FOR THE MARTYRS OF SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, TEXAS

For the Martyrs of Sutherland Springs
November 6, 2017

Today, with hearts made heavy by the horrifying murder of twenty-six of our fellow Christians””cruelly gunned down in a sanctuary of holiness, as they worshiped the Prince of Peace””we offer this prayer for our Lord’s love and vindication, from the Armenian Church requiem service:

O Christ, Son of God, patient and understanding, as our loving creator show compassion for the souls of your servants who are now at rest, namely your martyred children of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. Remember them on the great day when you establish your Kingdom; make them worthy of mercy, atonement, forgiveness of sins. Glorify them””reckon them in the company of your saints. For as universal Lord and creator, you are the judge of the quick and the dead””for which we honor your glory and dominion, forever. Amen.

Only because of Jesus in tearful eyes.

Blaine

Tues. PM 11/28/17 

What does it mean to be a Christian in Syria. The question is posed in the video below. The video that I have shared thoughts and reflections from.  The video where our dear sister Liena wrestles through the questions of what she must do to be a witness of Christ.

https://youtu.be/wwm5bekBtqw

Liena is an actual person along with her husband who are still ministering Jesus to Muslens.  At least to the best of my knowledge.

The last part of the video is a dramatic reenactment as she explains to her children what may be required of them if the jihadists come to their apartment.

As I think of the possibility of their martyrdom as depicted in the video. I thought of those slain whose blood is continually poured out on the altar. John records in Revelation of the vision He recieved from Jesus,

”¢”¢”¢ When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; 
and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.”¢”¢”¢ Rev. 6:9-11

Our brother Pail writes in Romans,

”¢”¢”¢Â Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."  But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

It it's estimated that every 5 to 10 minutes somebody lays down their life for the Lord Jesus Christ in the ultimate sacrifice.

Those who come to the Lord Jesus Christ for them martyrdom is a certainty. at least in nations where Liena lives.  But the events of November 5th, what transpired at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Texas, should make us realize that we to are marked for martyrdom.  We are not exempt from being slain for the Lord Jesus Christ, even here in America.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that when Christ bids a man to come to him he bids him to come and die.  Jesus said that if anyone wishes to come after Him he must deny himself. take up his cross daily, and  follow Him.  

What does it mean to be a Christian in Syria? What does it mean to be a Christian in America? What does it mean to be a Christian? It means that we come to Jesus and be prepared to die. It neans we be prepared to die so that we may live for Him.

”¢”¢”¢Â For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”¢”¢”¢ 2 Cor. 5:14-15

Only because of Jesus.

Blaine 

Wed. Morning, Nov. 29, 2017

Jesus tells us in Mat. 5:10-12

"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

▪▪▪▪▪▪▪

Some of those in Pentecostal circles speak of the double portion. A double blessing. In the last two Beatitudes Jesus gives two blessings of persecution.  The first blessing is those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness will receive the kingdom of heaven.

The Second Blessing is those who have been insulted, maligned, and persecuted because of the name of Jesus. Their reward in heaven will be great.

The great hope of our persecuted brothers and sisters is being with Jesus in His kingdom. And receiving His reward.

Let us pray our brothers and sisters in the shadow of the cross will receive the kingdom of heaven where Jesus is.

Let us pray our brothers and sisters in the shadow of the cross will receive the great reward that Jesus will give them on that day when they see Him.

Only because of Jesus.

Blaine

Wed. Eve. Nov. 29, 2017

A moving video where precious saints tell their story from Nigeria.

https://youtu.be/dYHuZnLjlyM

Let us remember them in our prayers. Let us remember those in the shadow of the cross in our prayers.

Because of Jesus.

Blaine