We here in the United States have no idea what it is like to live within a country where we have no freedom to openly express our Christian beliefs. We can freely attend church, buy and read Bibles, read and publish Christian writings on the inter net, attend Christian conferences,purchase Christian materials at Bible bookstores, etc. We are incredibly blessed in this way. And most of the time we do not really appreciate it.
About 17 years ago, I had a very brief experience in a country where the people do not have the freedoms that I just mentioned. During the week that we were there a church around the corner from our hotel was closed down and the pastor was put in jail. We were followed to every church we went to the first two nights. After that government officials came to our hotel and forbid us to participate in any more church services. The large open air evangelistic meeting we were supposed to participate in was cancelled, even though proper permits had been gotten. I believe some of the restrictions were put on us because we were a much larger group than they had anticipated and it was too difficult to keep constant surveillance on all of us. There were even men in the lobby of our hotel that kept tabs on us. We had been warned before we entered the country to be careful about what we said even when we thought no one was around.
Before the ultimatum was given concerning not going to any more churches, two groups of us had already left the capital city to go to outlying cities to preach. We were followed, but were not harassed. We had some very good meetings. The people were incredibly hungry for the Word. They crammed into the house church for the meetings, sitting on the floor filling every inch of space, and gathered outside the windows to hear what was being said. Only a handful had Bibles. It was an incredible experience.
The tension we felt constantly while being watched and followed was difficult to deal with and it was just for one week. I can't imagine what it must be like to live like that constantly. Although at that time the church was not severely persecuted, there certainly was not much freedom.
That experience made me much more appreciative of the freedoms I have in this country.
In the coming weeks I will be sharing info about the persecuted church. In the mean time here are a couple of scriptures to ponder in light of the persecution that many of our Christian brothers and sisters are experiencing today.
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.
1 Corinthians 12:26-27 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Lamb Of God
John the Baptist evidently had a special revelation from God concerning Jesus being the Lamb of God. The concept of the Messiah being a lamb seems to have been a foreign concept to the religious leaders and teachers of the day. They were looking for their Messiah to be a king coming to conquer the natural, earthly, political rulers of the day and set them free.
Jesus indeed was a conqueror in the form of a lamb, who went to the slaughter, winning a mighty victory over the spiritual kingdom of darkness and set us free from all the works of the evil one. In His second coming the final showdown of that victory will be manifest in the natural, in the establishing of the Kingdom of God in the earth, toppling all other kingdoms. Hallelujah!!!!
The word "lamb" is found 31 times in the KJV of the New Testament. All but two of those are found in the writings of John. Two of the times that John uses the word "lamb" are in John 1:29 & 36. The other 27 times that John uses the word "lamb" are all in the book of Revelation.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
The following is the final passage of the Bible in which the word "lamb" is used. The Lamb is on His throne.
Revelation 22:1-5 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Jesus indeed was a conqueror in the form of a lamb, who went to the slaughter, winning a mighty victory over the spiritual kingdom of darkness and set us free from all the works of the evil one. In His second coming the final showdown of that victory will be manifest in the natural, in the establishing of the Kingdom of God in the earth, toppling all other kingdoms. Hallelujah!!!!
The word "lamb" is found 31 times in the KJV of the New Testament. All but two of those are found in the writings of John. Two of the times that John uses the word "lamb" are in John 1:29 & 36. The other 27 times that John uses the word "lamb" are all in the book of Revelation.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
The following is the final passage of the Bible in which the word "lamb" is used. The Lamb is on His throne.
Revelation 22:1-5 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
I Am My Beloved's
The Song of Solomon is a love story that can be applied to the love relationship between Christ and His church or individual believers. In this story the love relationship deepens as the story goes on.
Song of Solomon 2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his We see here a focus on self. Jesus in mine and secondarily I am His. This would lead to a focus on the personal needs of the individual.
Song of Solomon 6:3 I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. Here there has been some growth to where the focus is on the fact that she belongs to Jesus and secondarily He is hers. Out of this there would come more of a focus on what Jesus would want in a situation and not just her personal needs.
Song of Solomon 7:10 I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me. At this point in the love relationship the central focus is on Jesus. Now she can operate in oneness with Him.
In the past I thought that this last step meant she would need to grow to the point of being worthy of His desire being toward her, of having to become mature enough to warrant His attention. Thus this love is something she had to earn. But I have come to believe that this is not the case. I believe that this is the point at which she finally realizes the truth that really she is His and His desire is toward her. His desire has been toward her all along. Now she finally knows it. Finally all the other stuff that has kept her from this truth have been stripped away. Now all the distractions, all other loves, have been stripped away and she can fully submit to His desires knowing that He always has her best interest at heart. Now she really knows Jesus loves her.
Song of Solomon 2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his We see here a focus on self. Jesus in mine and secondarily I am His. This would lead to a focus on the personal needs of the individual.
Song of Solomon 6:3 I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. Here there has been some growth to where the focus is on the fact that she belongs to Jesus and secondarily He is hers. Out of this there would come more of a focus on what Jesus would want in a situation and not just her personal needs.
Song of Solomon 7:10 I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me. At this point in the love relationship the central focus is on Jesus. Now she can operate in oneness with Him.
In the past I thought that this last step meant she would need to grow to the point of being worthy of His desire being toward her, of having to become mature enough to warrant His attention. Thus this love is something she had to earn. But I have come to believe that this is not the case. I believe that this is the point at which she finally realizes the truth that really she is His and His desire is toward her. His desire has been toward her all along. Now she finally knows it. Finally all the other stuff that has kept her from this truth have been stripped away. Now all the distractions, all other loves, have been stripped away and she can fully submit to His desires knowing that He always has her best interest at heart. Now she really knows Jesus loves her.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Because Of Jesus
Ephesians 1:3-7 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
This scripture blows me away every time I read it.
Before I was even conceived, God chose me. Actually before the foundation of the world...that is so incredible!!! He loved me. He wanted me. He had a plan for my life. He has always loved me and always will. His love for me has never been nor ever will be dependent on what I have done or have not done. It is and always will be a fact. Jesus loves me for the Bible tells me so.
I am fully accepted by God in Jesus Christ, because of a relationship with Christ by which I become one with Him. Because of what Jesus did I can stand before God, holy and without blame. Because of Jesus I am acceptable to God, not because of anything I have done or ever will do.
God, You sent your Son to this earth and He was rejected and despised by most, and yet went to the cross that each of us would have a means of being forgiven all and to come into a heavenly inheritance in Christ.
God, You chose me by the good pleasure of Your will. You chose me to be born in this time to be part of what You are doing in the earth at this time. The fact that all of this would bring You pleasure is amazing to me. The God of the universe can take pleasure in my life. How awesome!!
This scripture blows me away every time I read it.
Before I was even conceived, God chose me. Actually before the foundation of the world...that is so incredible!!! He loved me. He wanted me. He had a plan for my life. He has always loved me and always will. His love for me has never been nor ever will be dependent on what I have done or have not done. It is and always will be a fact. Jesus loves me for the Bible tells me so.
I am fully accepted by God in Jesus Christ, because of a relationship with Christ by which I become one with Him. Because of what Jesus did I can stand before God, holy and without blame. Because of Jesus I am acceptable to God, not because of anything I have done or ever will do.
God, You sent your Son to this earth and He was rejected and despised by most, and yet went to the cross that each of us would have a means of being forgiven all and to come into a heavenly inheritance in Christ.
God, You chose me by the good pleasure of Your will. You chose me to be born in this time to be part of what You are doing in the earth at this time. The fact that all of this would bring You pleasure is amazing to me. The God of the universe can take pleasure in my life. How awesome!!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Prayer Focus-USA
I am thinking I would like to do a post each Saturday for a prayer focus, highlighting some particular area of need either here in the USA or in a foreign country. Our missions focus sometimes within the church fails to look at or minister to needs right here in our own country. Anyone who knows me is well aware of my interest in foreign missions over the years. But at this time the need here in our own nation is so great that I believe more of a home mission focus is needed within the church. We need to be ministering to the needs across the street as well as those across the globe.
When I was a missions director in a church, in Burlington, MA, a little over 10 years ago, I read an article that said that at that time the USA was only nation in the world where Christianity was losing ground and that Islam was the fastest growing religion in the USA. I don't know what those stats are now. But I can't imagine they are any better.
Here is the title of an article by the Barna Group that I consider alarming: "Unchurched Population Nears 100 Million in the U.S." That means 33% of the population fits in that category. According to this 2007 article this statistic has stayed relatively unchanged since 1994. In the early nineties about 20% were unchurched. So we see that we are not making any progress here at this time. I realize going to church does not make a person a Christian. But I still believe this trend needs to stop. We need to pray for the USA. (To find this article do a search for Barna Grouop and the article title.)
When Jesus commissioned the disciples just before His ascension, he told them to go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world. You notice that they were to start where they were, in Jerusalem. We need to start where we are.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
When I was a missions director in a church, in Burlington, MA, a little over 10 years ago, I read an article that said that at that time the USA was only nation in the world where Christianity was losing ground and that Islam was the fastest growing religion in the USA. I don't know what those stats are now. But I can't imagine they are any better.
Here is the title of an article by the Barna Group that I consider alarming: "Unchurched Population Nears 100 Million in the U.S." That means 33% of the population fits in that category. According to this 2007 article this statistic has stayed relatively unchanged since 1994. In the early nineties about 20% were unchurched. So we see that we are not making any progress here at this time. I realize going to church does not make a person a Christian. But I still believe this trend needs to stop. We need to pray for the USA. (To find this article do a search for Barna Grouop and the article title.)
When Jesus commissioned the disciples just before His ascension, he told them to go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world. You notice that they were to start where they were, in Jerusalem. We need to start where we are.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Friday, February 11, 2011
My Weakness, God's Strength
One night, a few years ago, as I was praying I started to ask God to give me strength. Then I stopped and corrected myself and asked God to be my strength. I am sure it was God that caused me to make that correction in my prayer. I immediately thought of 2 Corinthians 12:9, "my strength is made perfect in weakness." I said, "God, I don't like feeling so weak." His immediate response was, "you might as well get used to it." I chuckled. Even now as I think about this, it brings a smile to my face.
I truly am weak and would do well to recognize that on a daily/moment by moment basis God is my strength, rather than trying to do things in my own strength. God wants to be the strength of my life and carry the burdens and responsibilities, resulting in a walk of peace and rest.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I grew up believing that being weak is a bad thing. But God has been showing me that it is not the case. My attempts to walk in my own strength have just gotten in the way. The reality is that even when I thought I was strong I was really weak and always have been. By trying to give the illusion of being strong I have just worn myself out trying to carry and do the things that God should have been.
When I feel the weakest God is just as strong within me as when I feel the strongest. I just need to yeild to His strength that is always there.
Oh God, please help me, teach me, to walk in the humility that acknowledges my weakness and does not feel ashamed of it, but can truly revel in your strength being made perfect within me in my weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Psalm 27:1-3 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
Psalm 18:1-2 I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
I truly am weak and would do well to recognize that on a daily/moment by moment basis God is my strength, rather than trying to do things in my own strength. God wants to be the strength of my life and carry the burdens and responsibilities, resulting in a walk of peace and rest.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I grew up believing that being weak is a bad thing. But God has been showing me that it is not the case. My attempts to walk in my own strength have just gotten in the way. The reality is that even when I thought I was strong I was really weak and always have been. By trying to give the illusion of being strong I have just worn myself out trying to carry and do the things that God should have been.
When I feel the weakest God is just as strong within me as when I feel the strongest. I just need to yeild to His strength that is always there.
Oh God, please help me, teach me, to walk in the humility that acknowledges my weakness and does not feel ashamed of it, but can truly revel in your strength being made perfect within me in my weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Psalm 27:1-3 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
Psalm 18:1-2 I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Increasing Government of Christ
Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
At Christmas we often hear Isaiah 9:6. So we tend to be quite familiar with this scripture and think about it in terms of Jesus' first coming. But the ultimate fulfilling of this scripture is in Jesus second coming and in the establishment of His kingdom in the earth. During that time there will be a continual increase of His government and peace spoken of in verse 7. We also see in this verse, that the throne of Jesus is established with judgment and with justice. I look forward to that day when the throne of God, whose foundation is righteous and judgement (justice), is established in the earth. (Psalm 97:2)How wonderful to have a government operating from foundational principles of righteousness and justice!
I also see an application of this personally for me in the present day, for the phrase "of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end." As I daily submit to the government of Christ and allow Him to more fully rule in my life in more and more areas then His government will continually increase within me. The result of that will also be an increasing level of peace in my life.
At Christmas we often hear Isaiah 9:6. So we tend to be quite familiar with this scripture and think about it in terms of Jesus' first coming. But the ultimate fulfilling of this scripture is in Jesus second coming and in the establishment of His kingdom in the earth. During that time there will be a continual increase of His government and peace spoken of in verse 7. We also see in this verse, that the throne of Jesus is established with judgment and with justice. I look forward to that day when the throne of God, whose foundation is righteous and judgement (justice), is established in the earth. (Psalm 97:2)How wonderful to have a government operating from foundational principles of righteousness and justice!
I also see an application of this personally for me in the present day, for the phrase "of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end." As I daily submit to the government of Christ and allow Him to more fully rule in my life in more and more areas then His government will continually increase within me. The result of that will also be an increasing level of peace in my life.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Prayer for Egypt
My prayer for Egypt is for God's kingdom to come and God's will to be done in this situation. I pray for the Christians of Egypt to arise and to cry out for God's mercy for Egypt and I join my prayers with theirs for their nation.
Earlier today I watched some prayer alerts from Rick Ridings a prayer leader in Israel. Here are the links to his alerts:
1/27/11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5T68W61hro&feature=related
2/2/11 pt. 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKDtyvvjlKk&NR=1
2/2/11 pt 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE4puozl3W8&feature=related
The enemy often tries to push the timing of legitimate events to try to bring them about ahead of God's timing. As we see in Dan. 7:25, the enemy seeks to change times and laws. But as we see in Dan. 2:21,it is God that has the ability to change times and it is God who raises up and takes down leaders. But the enemy would love to seek to upset the balance of things. I believe we need to pray for God's will to be done and not that of the enemy.
Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
Daniel 2:20-22 20Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
Earlier today I watched some prayer alerts from Rick Ridings a prayer leader in Israel. Here are the links to his alerts:
1/27/11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5T68W61hro&feature=related
2/2/11 pt. 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKDtyvvjlKk&NR=1
2/2/11 pt 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE4puozl3W8&feature=related
The enemy often tries to push the timing of legitimate events to try to bring them about ahead of God's timing. As we see in Dan. 7:25, the enemy seeks to change times and laws. But as we see in Dan. 2:21,it is God that has the ability to change times and it is God who raises up and takes down leaders. But the enemy would love to seek to upset the balance of things. I believe we need to pray for God's will to be done and not that of the enemy.
Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
Daniel 2:20-22 20Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
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