VOM Prayer Update 08/14/09

VOM–USA Prayer Update for August 14, 2009

The Voice of the Martyrs USA: www.persecution.com

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

PAKISTAN — Christian Attacked, Eight Believers Killed — VOM Sources

2 Corinthians 12:9-11

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.

On Aug. 1, a mob of angry Muslim extremists attacked Christians in Gojra district, Punjab province. The mob killed at least eight believers, including a seven-year-old child, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. Dozens of homes and a church building were looted and burned. Reports indicate the violence resulted from rumors Christians had desecrated pages from the Quran several days earlier at a wedding in a nearby village. This was the second attack resulting from the rumor.. On July 30, Muslim extremists attacked Christians, burning more than 50 homes and animals in Korian village, Faisalabad. In both attacks, Muslim leaders encouraged the violence, using mosque loudspeakers to call on the faithful to defend Islam. According to witnesses, the attackers used a fuel that is particularly difficult to extinguish to set the fires. Government officials have condemned the attacks with unusual severity and have criticized security forces for their slow response. They said there is no truth to the allegations of blasphemy and promised to rebuild the homes destroyed and financially assist those who have lost family members in the violence. Recent reports estimate that more than 200 had been arrested for their involvement in the violence. Pray for the families of deceased believers, those who lost their homes and the pastor and members of the church. Ask God to provide for and encourage them. Pray false accusations by Muslims will draw believers closer to the Lord and for their faithfulness to draw others into faith with Christ.

UZBEKISTAN — Children’s Camp Attacked — Forum 18 News

Romans 8:34-36

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “ For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

Uzbekistan’s Baptist Union is facing criminal charges for allegedly unlawfully teaching children about Christ, and for “supposedly misusing their property as a summer camp,” according to Forum 18 News. Baptist Union Chair Pavel Peichev faces huge fines, the confiscation of the church property, imprisonment, or some combination of these penalties. Baptists have vehemently denied the allegations. The authorities have also launched an investigation into tax and other obligatory payments made by the Baptist Union. The first sign of trouble for the Baptists were two articles published by a government-sponsored news agency. It is believed the agency is sponsored by secret police, and the author may be a member of the secret police. Pray these charges against the Baptist Union are discharged. Pray for the children who were in the camp when it was attacked. Pray this incident and the testimony of faithful believers will draw others into fellowship with Him.

CHINA — Imprisoned Christian Tried in Court — 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 July 28, imprisoned Uyghur Christian, Alimujiang Yimiti was tried at Kashi District Intermediate People’s Court in Xinjiang, China, according to China Aid Association. His family was not allowed to attend the trial. The verdict is still pending. Yimiti has been in prison since January 2008. It is believed he was arrested because of his Christian faith and witness among the Uyghur people. Pray Yimiti is released from prison. Ask God to encourage and protect him and his family and for his courageous testimony to draw non believers into fellowship with Christ.

Add the PrisonerAlert.com application on Facebook by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/prisoneralert/

(Posted by T.A.)

For Luke

Hate speech is one thing that is often debated.  Whether there should be laws against it, legistrating freedom of speech of any kind, etc..  Many times a day I am reminded of the evil heart of human kind, even my own.  Some who would be for a Constitutional Ammendment forbiding “Hate Speech” also call for tolerance.

Trial of Faith received a comment a few days ago from “Luke” on one of the articles concerning a Voice of the Martyrs Prayer Update.  He signified laughing at the suffering of Christians in foreign lands.  Tolerance is fine for everyone else, except those who will be honest, bold and brave enough to tell the world that there is only one way to God.  Do whatever you will to those Christians, and that’s okay.

The following is the comment approved by this moderator:

Luke said,

July 3, 2008 at 3:49 pm

hahaha look at you christian dogs. now you have to susffer like foul dogs. first you killed people in the days of colonialism. hahaha foul rats. i’m happy you rats are killed. hahahahahaha for killing for you dogs jesus was a gay

Now, tell me who is using “Hate Speech”.  There were a few other comments from “Luke” and other names with similar sounding words.  It was the decision of this moderator that these did not belong on this site, so they were deleted.

We Christians do not enjoy suffering in serving the Lord, but if suffering comes we do not quit because it comes.  Suffering for the cause of Christ gives Him glory, and strengthens our faith.

It angers me to think that there are members of the human race that laugh at the suffering of others.  By there laughing they would participate in the torture and killing of others.  I forgive them, but they need His forgiveness for their salvation.  I left a responding comment to “Luke” concerning his comment:

T. A. Blankenship said,

July 4, 2008 at 8:17 am

Luke,
I would be the first to tell you that as a Christian I am not perfect, however, I do know that I have the assurance of standing before my Creator forgiven and cleansed because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Christians have always suffered and died for our faith, and our suffering in this life is not unlike the suffering of all people. Through our suffering, though, our faith is strengthened.
Luke, Jesus died for your sins, and in His burial He carried the guilt, shame, and reproach and condemnation of them away; and He rose bodily from the dead. One day He is returning, and I pray you will be right with Him before that day.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Believe in Him Luke and be saved.
I forgive you.
T.A.

“Luke” and to any who come here with a hate filled heart for Christians and God’s Son Jesus Christ; I do pray for God to open your eyes, and your heart, and that you will look upon our Lord and Savior, call on His name and be saved, from the terrible wrath and judgment of sins that is going to come upon you.

May God help those of who love Jesus Christ to love as He loved those who nailed Him to His cross, when He said, “Father forgive them; for  they know not what they do”.

-Tim A. Blankenship

From Israel, India, Maharashtra, and Columbia

This Sunday November 11, 2007 is International Day of Prayer for the persecuted church.  Every church, and every child of God should endeavor to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their faith.

The phrase, “No man is an island” is especially true of the Christian.  We are not alone, and we cannot stand alone.  We need Jesus Christ most of all, and we need to build up and encourage one another.  Letting the persecuted Christians of the world know that we are praying for them is an encouragement to them.  Their lives of faith should be a great encouragement for you and I.

The following is the weekly Prayer Update from Voice of the Martyrs:

VOM News and Prayer Update: November 6, 2007

“Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth in Him. “(Ephesians 1:9-10)

ISRAEL
Church Set on Fire – Compass Direct News
On October 23, suspected arsonists set fire to the Narkis Street Baptist Church, in Western Jerusalem. According to Compass Direct News, the arsonists forcibly entered the building through a side door and set three fires in the sanctuary. The fire damaged 60 chairs and also caused smoke and water damage in the building. Compass News reported that although the police had not yet determined those responsible for the attack, it was suspected they were Jewish militants. According to Pastor Victor Blum, the leader of a Russian Messianic Jewish congregation that meets in the building, an anti-missionary organization named “Yad L’Achim” has threatened him and his congregation over the past few years. The group opposes the church’s local evangelistic work and claims that the believers are members of a “dangerous sect.” Pray God gives these believers boldness to stand against this attack. Pray the testimony of Christians in Israel will draw the attackers and other nonbelievers into the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Joshua 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:7

INDIA
Five Nuns Beaten; Militants Attack Church Service – VOM SourcesMADHYA PRADESH – On October 25, five nuns were beaten by 20 Hindu militants in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The militants surrounded the house of a local believer, where the nuns were attending a prayer meeting, and accused the nuns of forcibly converting local Hindus to Christianity. When the meeting was over, the militants attacked and beat them until the police arrived and took the nuns to safety. All five nuns were injured, and one is in serious condition due to head injuries she sustained in the attack. Pray God encourages them as they heal from their injuries. Psalm 107:20MAHARASHTRA – On October 23, Pastor Victor Periera and a group of local villagers were beaten by Hindu militants. The militants were angered because the pastor had organized prayer meetings attended by Hindu tribes in the Thane district of Maharashtra state. Pastor Periera was conducting a prayer service at a local church when the attackers stormed the building. The attackers shouted curses at Christianity and beat the pastor and several believers. The pastor’s rib was broken in the attack. Pray for Pastor Periera’s healing. Ask God to give believers in India boldness to share Christ with nonbelievers, despite persecution. Psalm 91:16

COLOMBIA
Evangelical Pastor Killed – Associated Press
Pastor Diego Armando Bejarano, 27, was killed recently in the region west of Bogotá. Witnesses say hooded men took Bejarano by force and stabbed him. The motives for the killing are unknown; however, it is common knowledge guerrillas groups view Protestant pastors who encroach on territory under their control as military objectives. In the last 10 years, guerrillas have assassinated 133 pastors, Protestant missionaries and Catholic priests, according to the Evangelical Council of Colombia. Ask God to encourage and minister to the pastor’s family and church as they mourn. Pray his testimony draws his attackers and nonbelievers into the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Matthew 5:4

We the Christians of the United States of America best be able to stand.  We may one day face these same types of persecution; if in fact they have not already began.

Youth In Sudan

The following is an urgent prayer need for Christians in the Sudan:

SUDAN
Suicide Bomber Kills Youth, Wounds Others in Sudanese Church – VOM Sources
On September 27, a suicide bomber in military clothing detonated a grenade, killing five youth and critically wounding four others, in Sudan’s Upper Nile state. According to The Voice of the Martyrs’ contacts in Sudan, “A pastor was having an overnight service in Khorfullus town, when an unidentified man walked into the service and detonated a grenade, killing himself, five children and critically wounding four others, including the pastor and his wife.” VOM contacts added that the bomber was dressed in full military clothing, normally worn by government officials. VOM is assisting families affected by this tragedy during this difficult time. Pray God comforts and encourages the families of those killed. Pray for a speedy recovery for those injured. Psalm 118: 17, Isaiah 40:31

Let’s remember to pray for all who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ.  We here in the USA cannot begin to imagine what suffering is like compared to those who are experiencing it right in the field where they are white unto harvest.

Conduct Yourselves in Fear

 Conduct Yourselves in Fear

In this first chapter of First Peter we looked last at being holy.  It is God’s command that His people, even Christians, and maybe should say, especially Christians be holy.  We are called apart, set apart, so we are to be apart from the wiles, wickedness, and ways of worldliness.

Looking now at verses seventeen through twenty one we see what is required of us to be holy:

“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;  knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.   He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” 1 Peter 1:17-21 (NKJV).

To be holy is to be set apart from the society in which we live.  Not as monks, or as though a world of our own, but apart in the sense of not participating in the world system of greed, debauchery, lust, uniformity, etc.. 

Being holy, and since we as Christians call on the Father on a quite regular basis we also know that He is One who judges us justly, and  fairly according to our works, and knowing that we will conduct ourselves with the utmost respect of Him who holds our hearts and each breath we breath in His hands.  We will live with the fear, knowing that the time of our lives is in His hand.

Knowing the Father as we do; we also know that we have not been redeemed with material things.  Our redemption is not founded on how much gold or silver we possess, or how much we give away.  It is not based on any form of material wealth.  It is not gifts given for the fulfillment of the traditions of men.  Our redemption is not dependent upon someone else paying our way out of a fictitious purgatory.  The price of our redemption was paid to God our Father by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  Our sin debt was owed to God. 

Jesus Christ, the precious lamb of God, paid our sin debt to the Father for us.  The price of our redemption was His life.  He laid it down, and no man took it from Him.  As a matter of fact; the Father took His life (Read Isaiah 53:4).  Jesus was that sacrificial Lamb who was without spot, and without blemish.  There was no sin in the life of Jesus Christ, but He became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), and the wrath of Almighty God was poured out to the max upon Him.

This was “foreordained” even before the foundations of the earth were laid, and it was fulfilled in that day when Jesus died on the cross for our sins.  It is only because of this wondrous gift than anyone can call on the name of the Father, and He will hear us, save us, and give us life eternal.  No one can come to God except it be given of the Father, through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Because of the resurrection of Jesus from death He has been restored to the glory He had with the Father from the beginning.  His glory renewed we can now have faith and hope in God.  Without this there would not be much of a point in our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering for His name.  Because He lives we live.  Because He died for us, we can die for His name’s sake, and give Him the glory.

May God bless our brothers and sisters who are suffering for the name of Jesus.

The Persecuted

For several years now I have read the Newsletter of the Voice of the Martyrs ministry to the persecuted church in the world.  It is encourageing to know that there are believers with conviction, courage and boldness to stand on their faith in Christ Jesus.

The church in the United States would do our Country much more good if we would stand up on Biblical convictions, and not let politics, politically correct language, and fear dominate our thinking.  This Country needs the truth of Christ.  If we will not stand for Christ we will fall into bondage of fear.

To use a  very pertinent passage from God’s Word for the thought of persecution we read in 2 Timothy 3:12:

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (KJV).

I applaud every Christian around the world who is standing for Christ no matter what the attitude of their government, religion of the area, or other obstacles that may stand in the way of freedom to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Those who are persecuted by being jailed, beaten, losing family or possessions, and even killed are in the company of many wonderful saints of God.  Paul the apostle to the Gentiles is one.  He was lowered over a wall by friends to protect his life from those who wanted to kill him because of his preaching Christ (Acts 9:20-25).  And, this was not his only time of being persecuted.

Let us who are living in the freedoms of the USA be always diligent to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering for Him who suffered for us all.  Let us also remember to pray for Voice of the Martyrs that their ministry will continue to grow in strength and support from others.  Let us, also as Christians, be diligent to be faithful to God, His Word, His Son, and to walk in His Spirit daily.

You may find more on the Persecuted Church at VOM’s blog. It is called PersecutionBlog. God bless you all and be faithful to Him.

Standing In The Fire

Standing In The Fire

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 (KJV)

Considering that we are Christian by faith in Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection, and promised coming again; and that there are going to be trials and tribulations; which our Lord warned us of; how then should we live in this world? We are given guidance, counsel, and commandments as how we should live. It is really summed up in one short sentence – “Be ye holy, for I am holy”.

Peter addresses this matter beginning with the mind. The mind is the place of our thought processes. The mind is full of imagination both good and evil. There must be a “Girding up” of the mind. That is, bring it under control. A picture can be given concerning the ancient men of Bible days. When they were in a hurry and had to run; for an emergency, to get a message to an important person as quickly as possible, or even when defending one’s home – the men of that day wore robe type garments – they would take the bottom of their robes and tuck them into their belt, shortening the robe, and giving their legs room to move.

The “Gird up of the mind” would be just taking control of your thinking. Directing your mind toward wholesome thinking, pure thinking, godly thinking. You could even say, “Pull in all the loose ends”, so as not to leave something that will cause you to stumble later. Keep the mind on the things of God. Even for the Christian man or woman the mind can be a playground for evil. We need to guard the mind and keep it for God. If we do not do so, then, when evil temptations approach us, we will not be able to stand. None of us are without temptations.

The second thing we are told by Peter is “Be sober”. Those of us who do not drink alcoholic beverage may think, “Well, I don’t have anything to worry about there”; O yes we do. This has nothing to do with alcohol. It does have to do with the ability to think clearly. It would involve not allowing any substance influencing our thoughts; be it legal or illegal drugs, and that does include beverage alcohol. You will not be thinking clearly, or soberly when you have been influenced by the world’s drink, and other drugs. The MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE note for this verse, and this word states, “Be sober. Spiritul sober-mindedness includes the ideas of steadfastness, self-control, clarity of mind, and moral decisiveness. The sober Christian is correctly in charge of his priorites and not intoxicated with various allurements of the world.” These allurements can be an intoxication with finances, sports, technology, etc., anything that will lure the thoughts away from clear thinking.

Our hope should rest upon the promise of the return of our Lord and Savior. This is a teaching which is becoming less and less taught in some churches. It is called the “Blessed hope”, and that should be a light that brightens our eyes and our lives. When our Lord instituted the Lord’s Supper, He said, “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29 NKJV). Jesus also said; concerning this Supper, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19), and 1 Corinthians Paul writes, “For as often as you eath this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (11:26). The revelation of Jesus Christ is much more than Him coming into your life to live. He is coming again with that same body He was raised and glorified through, in the resurrection.

When we go to a home where children are running about without a disciplinary hand, and there just seems to be chaos in the home we usually do not think to highly of those parents parenting skills. When you see them in the stores shopping they will be the children screaming for this toy, that game, or that particular set of clothing. Sometimes they will scream and carry on until they get it. No discipline in the home. Parents who allow that will usually not be looked upon as good parents. They will usually be ones who will say things like, “Kids will be kids”, or “We just can’t do anything with them”. However, when you go into a home and there are children who listen to their parents, and Mom tells them to sit and be quiet and they obey, or Dad tells them to put their toys away and they do it without fuss, you know you have come into a well disciplined home. We, as Christians, are the children of God. How does the world view the household of God? Are we obedient, well behaved, showing forth the good name of our Father? With girded up loins of the mind, having a sober mind, and having our hope firmly upon the promise of the coming of Jesus we will be obedient children. Obedient children will be putting away the former lusts which we practiced in our ignorance of godliness. It is from the hand of the loving Father who gave His love and paid the price for our sins, that we are able to love Him in return and know that we have everlasting life and His love forevermore.

The conduct of the Christian is to be in holiness. For some reason there are many who profess Jesus as Savior, but will not submit to His Lordship. Some of these call themselves “Free Grace” believers. I have a word for them. Grace is not free – It costs God the best that He had, and that was the life of His Son. If you have not submitted to Him as your Lord, then, He is not your Savior. Some one said it like this, “If He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all”. His commandment is to be holy. “Be holy, for I am holy”. Jesus Himself said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name,a nd done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Matthew 7:21-23 (NKJV). Will He know you by the change that has taken place in your life by grace, through your faith that works?

Somewhere around the latter part of the sixth century B.C. there were three Hebrew young men who literally stood in the fire. They were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Daniel 3). They stood their ground in faith. No matter what may come – they stood by faith. They are forever remembered for the stand they took. They stood in the fire of Nebuchadnezzar, and we can stand in the fires of our testing only as we yield to Him our body, soul and mind. These three young men had girded up the loins of their minds, they were thinking clearly; they were not under the influence of any drug, but under the influence of the Spirit of God. They were remembering a greater purpose and Being than themselves. They knew it was not about them, but about God, His plans, purposes, and His glory. They chose to be holy. They chose to live and die if need be, for God. That is what the Christian must be and do.