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God Pursues His Children – Part 2
Yesterday we heard Tursun’s story. Although he has not yet accepted Jesus, God is not letting go. Today, Jun, an Open Doors contact in China, tells us about former Muslim converts.
“There was one lady who could have stayed
in the relative safety of a big city, but God called her back to her
village. The police immediately went after her. Fortunately, she had not
taken Christian materials with her and had cleaned her computer of any
‘suspicious files’. The police told her they would be watching her. Open
Doors helped her start a business, giving her a reason to stay in the
village and to travel and meet other believers. By engaging in business
activities, she was able to operate more freely.”
Jun continues, “One Christian woman was held at the police station for an entire night. The atmosphere was initially hostile, but she eventually won the trust of the police officials and ended up giving marriage counsel to them. Another woman I know is afraid to tell anyone about her faith in Jesus, especially her father. He will definitely beat her and she will quite possibly be disowned. Because people gossip; the family cannot take the risk that anyone may learn of an apostate family member.”
“Some say that converts should boldly
declare their new status in Christ, and face the consequences of
persecution, potential bodily harm, even jail,” Jun continues. “Others
claim the best approach is to remain quiet, carefully sharing with those
who show a hunger for more.” In both approaches the questions remains
for converts, “Is persecution the price we need to pay for revival? Will
my family ostracize me? Will I spend the next 5 years in a jail? How
can I demonstrate Kingdom lifestyle without jeopardizing the other
believers I meet with? Am I denying my Lord if I don’t boldly declare
Him?”
“It doesn’t matter if we are in a village, a
city or a prison cell,” Jun adds, “We need to realize who we are in
Christ, and be His light wherever we are.”
One With Them
Be One With Muslim Background Believers today by using your freedom to boldly proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ to those around you, and pray that God would give divine wisdom to our brothers and sisters as they seek to shine the light of Christ in the face of persecution.
4/30/2013
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Tuesday, April 30, 2013
God Pursues His Children – Part 2
God Pursues His Children – Part 1
God Pursues His Children – Part 1
“Is this your birthday?”
“Is this your birthday?”
Tursun (alias) was taken back by the
question. Thinking it was a sort of birthday… it was exactly ten years
ago that he had met a Christian girl who shared the gospel with him.
After reading the Bible, he decided that the cost of following Jesus was
simply too high. A seed had been planted, though, and God continued to
pursue him.
Eating with friends in a restaurant, Tursun shared that not long after the encounter with the Christian girl, he had cried out to God to know the truth. To his amazement Jesus came to him in a dream, not once, but on three occasions! In each dream Jesus wore brilliant white clothing and was surrounded by sheep. Jesus beckoned him to come and follow Him. Tursun still believed that the cost was too great and instead chose to follow his Muslim friends.
Turan shared with the men in the restaurant until late that night. Around 2:30 a.m., they joined hands and gave thanks for the divine appointment. They prayed for God to shine the absolute truth of Jesus into Tursun’s heart.
Around 25 million Muslims reside in China; most belong to ethnic Turkish groups. Among them are several thousand secret Christians. The central government allows ethnic Han Chinese believers more freedoms, and generally does not interfere with local traditions and majority religious groups. China’s government has recently adopted a softer approach toward the Church, but opposes conversions. Christians from a Muslim background face fierce opposition, not only from the government, but also from their family and community.
Eating with friends in a restaurant, Tursun shared that not long after the encounter with the Christian girl, he had cried out to God to know the truth. To his amazement Jesus came to him in a dream, not once, but on three occasions! In each dream Jesus wore brilliant white clothing and was surrounded by sheep. Jesus beckoned him to come and follow Him. Tursun still believed that the cost was too great and instead chose to follow his Muslim friends.
Turan shared with the men in the restaurant until late that night. Around 2:30 a.m., they joined hands and gave thanks for the divine appointment. They prayed for God to shine the absolute truth of Jesus into Tursun’s heart.
Around 25 million Muslims reside in China; most belong to ethnic Turkish groups. Among them are several thousand secret Christians. The central government allows ethnic Han Chinese believers more freedoms, and generally does not interfere with local traditions and majority religious groups. China’s government has recently adopted a softer approach toward the Church, but opposes conversions. Christians from a Muslim background face fierce opposition, not only from the government, but also from their family and community.
One With Them
Be One With Tursun and Chinese Muslims like him, praying that the chains of Islam will be broken, and they can enjoy freedom in Christ. Pray also for the many secret believers in China, as they struggle to decide whether they should openly declare their faith in Christ, or keep their faith hidden.
Be One With Tursun and Chinese Muslims like him, praying that the chains of Islam will be broken, and they can enjoy freedom in Christ. Pray also for the many secret believers in China, as they struggle to decide whether they should openly declare their faith in Christ, or keep their faith hidden.
4/29/2013
“...for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
(Luke 19:10)
(Luke 19:10)
God Healed – The Door Opened
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God Healed – The Door Opened
The Pamir Mountains, a remote area of Tajikistan, is home to various tribes. These groups, separated from one another for centuries, speak their own languages and have their own customs.
One day, a pastor came to a village of
about 30 families. Immediately the leaders grabbed him. At knife point,
the leader questioned him about his intentions. Had he come to convert
them? “I am a Christian,” he replied, “but my only intention is to help
you in any way I can.”
He was invited into a large room, where the
heads of the families were sitting, and was allowed to speak. While he
was witnessing about God’s great love, one man stood up to leave the
room. “Excuse me,” inquired the pastor, “but have I said anything that
offended you? Please tell me.”
One of the men started to explain that the
man who was leaving the room had a paralyzed wife at home, and he had to
go home to take care of her. The pastor immediately asked permission to
pray for her and he followed the man to his house.
Soon after praying for the paralyzed woman,
she began to move her neck and her arm! The local mullah invited the
pastor to come again. “I cannot help these people! Your God can! Please
take care of them!”
One With Them
The door opened for the gospel in this village because of the willingness of this pastor. As you stand One With Them, pray for more people to go, even to the remotest places on earth, and share about the saving grace of Jesus.
4/27/2013
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“I Begged Them to Leave My Girls”
“I Begged Them to Leave My Girls”
Deborah’s life will never be the same,
following the traumatic events of 2012. Within a few months time, Boko
Haram, an Islamic extremist group, killed her husband and son, and
kidnapped her two daughters.
The horrific evening began like any other, Deborah’s two young girls raced up the path to greet her as she returned from a long day at work. Inside their home, her husband, Shettima, was preparing a children’s Bible study for the evening prayers at church. Setting down her belongings, she took a bucket to draw water from the village well for the evening meal.
While she was gone, armed young men arrived at the entrance to the compound and waited for her to return. “They followed me inside the compound. I tried to alert my husband, but they overpowered me and forced me to lie on the floor. I heard my husband who was watching through the window praying, ‘Father, today I will come to you, please receive my spirit.’” The attackers fired four shots, killing Shettima.
Deborah, convinced that her last moments on earth had also come, asked the Lord to receive her spirit. As she prayed, her daughters, who had been hiding, came running towards her. Deborah was helpless to stop the men as they grabbed the girls, aged 7 and 9, and dragged them from the compound. “Looking up to the heavens, I cried for help at the top of my voice, but did not get a reply.”
Three months later, the nightmare took another horrific turn as extremists forced their way into Deborah’s home and murdered her son, her last remaining child.
The horrific evening began like any other, Deborah’s two young girls raced up the path to greet her as she returned from a long day at work. Inside their home, her husband, Shettima, was preparing a children’s Bible study for the evening prayers at church. Setting down her belongings, she took a bucket to draw water from the village well for the evening meal.
While she was gone, armed young men arrived at the entrance to the compound and waited for her to return. “They followed me inside the compound. I tried to alert my husband, but they overpowered me and forced me to lie on the floor. I heard my husband who was watching through the window praying, ‘Father, today I will come to you, please receive my spirit.’” The attackers fired four shots, killing Shettima.
Deborah, convinced that her last moments on earth had also come, asked the Lord to receive her spirit. As she prayed, her daughters, who had been hiding, came running towards her. Deborah was helpless to stop the men as they grabbed the girls, aged 7 and 9, and dragged them from the compound. “Looking up to the heavens, I cried for help at the top of my voice, but did not get a reply.”
Three months later, the nightmare took another horrific turn as extremists forced their way into Deborah’s home and murdered her son, her last remaining child.
One With Them
It was one year ago, on April 25, when Deborah’s life was turned upside down. Still struggling with the trauma, devastation and grief, she longs to know if her daughters are still alive, and holds onto hope that she will see them again. Be One With Deborah as you pray this prayer:
Father, we know that You are the God of all Comfort. Please wrap Your arms of comfort and peace around our sister, Deborah, especially today as she relives the terror, grief and devastation that began one year ago, today. Bind up her broken heart and bring her the joy of Your presence in the midst of her pain. Nothing else can bring comfort; she needs to experience Your presence today. Please protect and rescue her little girls from the extremists who took them. Nothing is impossible for You, so we ask that the Boko Haram rebels would release them today. Restore this remaining part of Deborah’s family to each other, we pray! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
It was one year ago, on April 25, when Deborah’s life was turned upside down. Still struggling with the trauma, devastation and grief, she longs to know if her daughters are still alive, and holds onto hope that she will see them again. Be One With Deborah as you pray this prayer:
Father, we know that You are the God of all Comfort. Please wrap Your arms of comfort and peace around our sister, Deborah, especially today as she relives the terror, grief and devastation that began one year ago, today. Bind up her broken heart and bring her the joy of Your presence in the midst of her pain. Nothing else can bring comfort; she needs to experience Your presence today. Please protect and rescue her little girls from the extremists who took them. Nothing is impossible for You, so we ask that the Boko Haram rebels would release them today. Restore this remaining part of Deborah’s family to each other, we pray! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.
One With Them CHALLENGE
Please write a message to Deborah today. Assure her that you are praying for her and that she is deeply loved.
Please write a message to Deborah today. Assure her that you are praying for her and that she is deeply loved.
4/28/2013
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
(Psalms 147:3)
(Psalms 147:3)
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Arabs Find Christ Through Books
Arabs Find Christ Through Books Throughout
the Arabian Peninsula, sharing the gospel comes with extreme
difficulties. Importing or printing non-Islamic religious literature is
almost universally restricted or forbidden. Still, God opens doors.
Somehow, Christian books find their way to the Peninsula. A bookseller
shares how these books have changed lives:
One day, Adeeb, an active member of the
mosque, entered the bookshop and discovered books with crosses; “I have
been looking for these,” he explained to the bookseller, “tell me about
the person this book is about.” After their conversation, Adeeb’s
curiosity grew stronger. One night, while playing the radio, he stumbled
upon a station that was broadcasting Bible readings. Though he did not
fully understand what he heard, he still gave his heart to the Lord.
Returning to the bookshop, the bookseller then began to teach Adeeb
about Jesus.
Adeeb’s brother-in-law began to suspect
that he had converted. Adeeb brought him to the bookshop, and asked the
bookseller to talk to him. Presenting him a book, the bookseller said,
“It’s about Gods love.” The brother-in-law angrily shouted, “It’s a
dirty book, why do you give this to me?” The bookseller then carefully
began to explain the gospel to him. The message was so beautiful, that
the brother-in-law’s heart was changed immediately and he accepted
Jesus. Embracing Adeeb he cried, “I didn’t know, I didn’t know,” with
tear-filled eyes, he added, “Forgive me, my brother!”
Another time, the bookseller remembered a
boy who visited the bookshop with his mother. As the boy lingered near
the books with crosses, she informed him, “These books have nothing to
do with our beliefs!” The young boy seemed oblivious and began to leaf
through them. When he asked her to purchase one, she grabbed him and
dragged him out of the shop. To the bookseller’s surprise, within
minutes he was back; somehow he had broken free. Alone with the
bookseller, away from the ears of his mother, he quietly asked to know
about Jesus.
One With Them
Stand One With Christian booksellers in the Arabian Peninsula. Our brother has requested our prayers saying; “We earnestly need you to pray for each and every visitor; that they would have the chance to read the scriptures and know the Lord.”
One With Them CHALLENGEConsider becoming a World Bible Sponsor. For just $5.00 a month you can send a Bible to a believer…opening many doors for people to read His Word.
4/25/2012
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Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Never Give Up Hope – Part 2
Never Give Up Hope – Part 2
Yesterday we met Salina*. Now living in hiding with her mother and brother, we continue her story.
Salina stared at her laptop. Her father,
Pastor Quornelius*, had been missing for a full year. She had since
learned that he was kidnapped while delivering supplies to a secret
church in remote northeastern Pakistan.
Mentally drained, Selina wanted to check
her email to see if her good friend, Hanna, had sent any news. “But this
puts you at risk,” a church elder warned. “They will not stop looking
for you, and if they find you and your brother it will uncover
everything your father has worked to protect. Not only that,” asserted
the elder, “they will force you to marry a Muslim man.”
Selina peered deep into her cold cup of
tea, numb with disbelief. She longed to hear from Hanna. It had been six
months since they last communicated. As she desperately searched past
emails, Selina hoped that her friend might have secretly interwoven
clues of her father’s whereabouts into the sentences.
“Does Hanna even think of me?” Selina
muttered to the elder. He assured her that, “Yes, she does, and so does
your father.” These words brought comfort, but not relief. None could.
As the elder departed with a blessing, he promised Selina and her
mother that he would return soon to their hiding spot.
Once out of sight, he felt tears well up in
his eyes. With heavy heart, the elder did not have the courage to share
that he had contracted hepatitis the last time he was in police
custody. “They had enough problems of their own, and cannot lose hope
that their beloved father and husband will soon return home safely.”
One With Them
Even when the stress and sorrow of Pakistani Christians reach such depths, these courageous believers endure, and carry on. Become One With Them. Walk side-by-side with them, praying in the precious name of Jesus for comfort, strength and support.
Even when the stress and sorrow of Pakistani Christians reach such depths, these courageous believers endure, and carry on. Become One With Them. Walk side-by-side with them, praying in the precious name of Jesus for comfort, strength and support.
One With Them CHALLENGE
Join in praying aloud this prayer:
Father God, keep them strong, knowing that their perseverance is not in vain. Give them hope, as they consider that their present sufferings are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed. Help them fix their eyes, not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. (Romans 8:18) In the name of Jesus, who reigns victorious even over our trials on this earth. Amen.
Join in praying aloud this prayer:
Father God, keep them strong, knowing that their perseverance is not in vain. Give them hope, as they consider that their present sufferings are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed. Help them fix their eyes, not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. (Romans 8:18) In the name of Jesus, who reigns victorious even over our trials on this earth. Amen.
*Pseudonym
4/24/2013
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
(Isaiah 43:2)
(Isaiah 43:2)
Healing Is Coming
Healing Is Coming
Like a flower that stood alone in the rain, the pressures of life have beaten down on you. You feel fragile and you do not understand what lies ahead of you. You feel naked and alone. But my child you do not see that above you, my hand is covering you and already preparing for a new way to open up.
Just as strong as the rain was, so will the sun be just as strong. As difficult as it was for you to go through these things, when my sun begins to shine on you again, you will feel the life that you are looking for.
You will not find that life in yourself. You will not find the joy in your works or in your striving. Instead you will find it only in me. So let me cover you child. Give up your striving and your pushing. Give up trying to make everything right and let me come into you life and situation.
Give me complete control of every part of your life. Let me take this broken flower and breathe into it once again. When you look around, all seems lost and you cannot see the way ahead. But I do see the way ahead and I have the power to bring real change. So rest now child. Run into my arms a rest for a while as I heal and restore you.
Then as quickly as the rains came, the clouds will open and the sun will shine through. I will shower you with my joy and my life again. Where there was death, I will bring life. Put your life in my hands. Trust me. For I have not forsaken you and I will not let you go. Look up my child and run to me quickly and watch as I do the impossible.
Like a flower that stood alone in the rain, the pressures of life have beaten down on you. You feel fragile and you do not understand what lies ahead of you. You feel naked and alone. But my child you do not see that above you, my hand is covering you and already preparing for a new way to open up.
Just as strong as the rain was, so will the sun be just as strong. As difficult as it was for you to go through these things, when my sun begins to shine on you again, you will feel the life that you are looking for.
You will not find that life in yourself. You will not find the joy in your works or in your striving. Instead you will find it only in me. So let me cover you child. Give up your striving and your pushing. Give up trying to make everything right and let me come into you life and situation.
Give me complete control of every part of your life. Let me take this broken flower and breathe into it once again. When you look around, all seems lost and you cannot see the way ahead. But I do see the way ahead and I have the power to bring real change. So rest now child. Run into my arms a rest for a while as I heal and restore you.
Then as quickly as the rains came, the clouds will open and the sun will shine through. I will shower you with my joy and my life again. Where there was death, I will bring life. Put your life in my hands. Trust me. For I have not forsaken you and I will not let you go. Look up my child and run to me quickly and watch as I do the impossible.
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