Pray for Christians in the village of Te’egbe, Nigeria

While we begin our Christmas holidays, our brethren around the world suffer for the name of Jesus Christ. Let's not forget to pray for them and remember them. 

https://www.theepochtimes.com/terrorists-promise-christmas-massacre-in-nigeria_4173219.html?slsuccess=1

You can't read the New Testament and not understand that suffering in this life is part of normal Christianity. I'm not looking for suffering, but when it catches up to us, let's embrace it as a badge of honor and trust ourselves to the grace of God. Read Acts chapter 5 and see how the followers of Jesus Christ lived under persecution:

"And they (the Apostles) departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."  Acts 5:41

Look, this world hates Jesus Christ and will hate you if you identify & embrace him, his gospel, and his word the Bible. Just come to grips with that, and live boldly and unashamedly for Jesus remembering your brothers and sisters in the Lord are facing these trials as well.

"Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach." Hebrews 13:12-13

Steve Mitchell of FBC & Persecution in the Life of a Christian

I found out today that a brother in the Lord Jesus, Pastor Steve Mitchell, passed from this mortal life on Friday, September 25 into the joy-filled and glorious presence of our Lord (1 Peter 1:7).

Steve was an Elder and teaching Pastor with Fellowship Bible Chapel, and his teaching ministry was an encouragement to me. I have to exercise daily to help manage my COPD and keep my lungs functioning as well as possible, and I try to redeem that time by listening to Bible teaching and preaching via the internet. 

I stumbled upon FBC 3 or 4 years ago, and I typically watch their teaching videos a couple of times a week. This summer, Steve along with Dr. Tim Kennedy started a video discussion series, 'The Last Hour "Entities and Effigies"' that I found really interesting, and was looking forward to the next installment in the series. God had other plans.

I saw today that Steve's next-to-last message on the FBC YouTube channel was on the topic of persecution. I'm putting the link here, and I hope you listen to it and are strengthened by it for the days ahead, however many or few they may be:

https://youtu.be/C0MmVFUkWw0

Persecution came up in my daily Bible reading today as well. I am in Acts 4 in the New Testament, where we see how the Apostles of Jesus Christ were persecuted for teaching and preaching about Jesus and the good news of the gospel. Steve commented on this in the video teaching above.

Over the years of reading through this historical account, specifically vs. 15 through the end of the chapter, I have come to believe this about what happened:

Acts 4:15-21 

15) But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16) Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

17) But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 

18) And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 

19) But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 

20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 

21) So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 

I can't be dogmatic, but I wrote this in the margin of my Bible: "They probably threatened them with the same fate they bestowed on the Lord Jesus...crucifixion!"  

These religious leaders had just scored a "victory", they thought, although the missing body of Jesus, the curtain in the Temple being rent asunder, and the reports of dead saints being raised put a little rain on their victory parade. How better to threaten Jesus' followers than with his fate? Whatever it was, this persecution of the followers of Christ led them to cry out to God for safety, good health, prosperity.... No, they cried out for boldness to do what he had commanded them to do: proclaim the word of God with boldness! For the power to obey God's will in the face of persecution. Oh how we need that today, and as Pastor Steve mentions in the video, how we will need that in the very near future.

Steve Mitchell has run his race. Amen. I will miss his Bible teaching. Pray for God's comfort for his wife, children and church family. 

We who have trusted in Jesus Christ and are still in this world are still running our race. Paul says "run to win" (1 Corinthians 9:24). As a Christian I pray I may finish well. I want to finish well. But so often I stumble and fall, and I am weary of stumbling and falling. Jesus Christ deserves so much more from my life. But I get up, by God's grace, and get back in the race, following our Shepherd. I think that is a good way for us to pray for one-another especially now: pray for God's children to run the race and finish well. 

Let's do that, and we'll celebrate around the throne of God one day, with Steve and all our other brothers and sisters in Jesus who've gone on before. Paul.

All Who Live Godly in Christ Jesus

Mary just showed me an article from The Daily Caller, and the headline is, 

"Allegedly Transgender Woman Gashes 79-Year-Old Man's Head With Stiletto For Preaching On Subway: Report"

https://dailycaller.com/2019/11/03/transgender-attack-elderly-man-subway-religion/ 

Here's a screen shot of him holding his head after the attack. You can access some short videos through the link above from the article, and I also put another link to an Instagram account below.

It goes on to say that this brother in Christ was preaching the gospel and singing gospel songs. There are some video links in the article, and the person who took the video says:

"This old man right here was just singing some gospel songs and sharing the word of God to people on the train, he didn't say anything to hurt anyone, he wasn't even loud, you could barely hear him talk but this is what he got in return...."

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Ia3UhFN_e/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_mid=Xb9megABAAE69DTNL6GCkma0eFn3 

I don't know this brother's name, but if he was speaking God's word and singing gospel songs to the subway riders in New York City, God bless him! He's my kind of man. Not knowing the details, let me say this: we who engage in public ministry don't go out and proclaim Jesus Christ because we hate people. We love them, as fellow human beings. We want to make sure someone loved them enough in this life to point them to the One who alone can give them eternal life, even if that means not everybody likes us. We strive to make sure that is the message of the cross, and not ourselves, that is the offense, if there is one.

And so this brother in the Lord has experienced what the Bible says we will experience:

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12)

A Challenge from Pastor Umar Malinde

Pastor Umar Mulinde was raised Muslim and trained to be a Da'i, which is an Islamic missionary that propagates Islam. Instead, he became a Christian pastor. In this Tel Aviv hospital interview, he recounts how he was burned with acid at the hands of Muslim persecutors. His scars and pain will endure, but his faith is greater than these. Nothing the world can throw at him or us will quench our love for Jesus.

Please watch Pastor Umar Mulinde tell his story in this short video:

Jesus says this to His disciples: 

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 

But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. 

John 15:18-22

Stay strong in the Lord, brothers and sisters, and boldly share the glad tidings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the one-and-only Savior of sinners, and the one true God of the Bible, of whom to know is eternal life (John 17:3)

2015 World Watch List: Top 50 Countries of Christian Persecutors

Welcome to 2015:
Today the world is mourning the deaths of 12 people in France at the hands of Islamists. (I don't qualify this with "radical", because this is Islam...these are people who read & believe the Qu'ran. Period. You don't have to like it, but you need to realize this is what it is.)

But did you know that Boko Haram, a violent Islamic terrorist group in Africa, kills an average of 10 Christians every single day? 

Open Doors USA released the 24th World Watch List, which lists the 50 nations most fiercely persecuting Christians. If you go to their website (link is below), you can download the 2015 World Watch List map & report, as well as fact sheets for all 50 of the countries on the List.

Will you pray for your persecuted brothers & sisters in Christ?

Hebrews 13:3 

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. 

Here's the article. Once you're there, scroll down and listen to the Radio America interview with Dr. David Curry.
Top 50 list of Christian persecutors


Click here to go to Open Doors USA and view the Top 50 List
The List

Saeed Abedini: 1 Year in Evin Prison for Jesus Christ

Thursday, September 26, could be the 1-year anniversary of the imprisonment of Saeed Abedini, the Iranian American Pastor held prisoner in the infamous Evin Prison outside of Tehran, Iran, for the crime of being a Christian. I say "could be", because many have been praying for his release, and if the Lord brings this about, we could well all be rejoicing on that day. Until then, I encourage all believers to lift up this brother and his family before the throne of grace. And not him alone, but all of the persecuted Church around the world.

Here in Iowa, there will be a prayer vigil on Thursday in Des Moines, at the State Capital Building on the Westside Steps from 1-2 PM.  Click HERE for a link to an article by Saeed's wife on John Piper's "Desiring God" website. There are links near the bottom of the article on where you can locate prayer vigils throughout the US and the World.

What more can I add to what many have written? For us to live in Christ. Suffering for the name of Jesus is not foreign to the body Christ. Our brother is in the mighty hand of our Lord and our God, and it is to him that we cry, and may God's will be done in his life. And in ours....

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
John Newton, Amazing Grace, verse 3

"...and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." Acts 5:40-41


1 Peter 4:12-14
Hebrews 13:3
John 16:33
2 Timothy 3:12
James 1:2-4
2 Corinthians 4:17
Romans 8:28

Hebrews 13:3

Our Christian brothers and sisters in Iran continue to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ. May the Almighty pour out His grace, mercy, peace, and protection upon them as they suffer for the name that is above all names. As our brother Saeed Abedini testified, may the joy of the Lord be their strength  Let us lift them up in prayer before the throne of grace. See the link below for details and names. Leave a comment if you will commit to pray for these dear ones.

http://morningstarnews.org/2013/07/eight-converts-in-iran-sent-to-prison-for-threatening-national-security/

Remebering Pastor Saeed Abedini

This brother continues to suffer in Iran's notorious Evin prison.

His crime: preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Saeed: I never met you, and I don't know you, but I love you brother!

 

From the Internet....

RECENT PRISONER UPDATE
IRAN: Pastor Saeed’s Faith Remains Strong Despite Inhumane Treatment
Source: The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ)

American Pastor Saeed Abedini, who is serving an eight-year prison term in Iran because of his Christian faith, has been suffering from internal bleeding for months. The injuries, which are causing him frequent fainting spells, are the result of repeated beatings in prison. Sources state that the physical abuse and psychological torture are intensifying…an inhumane and gross violation of Iran’s
international obligations. These troubling developments are of grave concern to Pastor Saeed’s wife, Naghmeh, who lives with their two young children in the United States. Prison officials want one thing: Pastor Saeed to recant his faith in Christ. And while they continue to try, his faith remains strong; a faith that is clearly sustaining him in his time of great need. For more about his story, check

http://www.persecution.net/ir-2013-03-21a.htm

Please continue to uphold Pastor Saeed and his very concerned family in prayer. Plead the blood of Jesus over his life, as well as the lives of other believers and human rights defenders there in Evin
Prison. May the Lord send His angels to minister ongoing strength and encouragement to them. And in cases such as Pastor Saeed’s, where required medical help is not being provided, may the Great Physician personally and supernaturally bring healing to their every wound.

The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of:
The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, P.O. Box 608, Streetsville, Ontario, L5M 2C1
Tel. (905) 670.9721. Website: http://www.persecution.net

Pray for Persecuted Christians in 2013

Please pray for our brothers and sisters who suffer for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is a list (below) of the top 50 countries as of 2013 that persecute our Christian brethren, and comes from a You Tube video from Mark (ProclaimHisWord) - see Mark's video embedded at the bottom of this post....

Please leave a comment if you will join with us in praying for your persecuted brothers & sisters in these countries, and for those who are doing the persecuting, that they may come to Jesus Christ.

2013Top 50 Countries Persecuting Christians

May the power of Almighty God and the love of Jesus Christ be magnified in the lives of these suffering believers who live out their faith through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
 

Hebrews 13:3 
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

1 Peter 4:12-16 
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

2 Timothy 3:12 
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Romans 8:35-39
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 thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanks for the video, Mark!