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Discussion Forum : Devotional Thoughts : In the Shadow of His Cross...Our Persecuted Brothers and Sisters

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 Re: Tuesday AM, 2/14/17

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Brothers and sisters, our dear sister Fatima, martyred back in 2008. She lived in the nation of Saudi Arabia. I do not know how many others have been martyred for their faith in Jesus on the Saudi peninsula. But I do know that God is building a church in that nation. It is estimated there over 100,000 secret believers who meet in secret in the in the Saudi Kingdom. And that God is opening up hearts for those seeking Him to respond to the gospel call of Jesus.

Below is a prayer cast video of a believer who is praying over her nation. And below the video is a summary of Saudi Arabia and prayer points.

As you listen to the short video. Please pray with this dear sister. Please remember our brothers and sisters who accept Jesus as their savior in that nation. For they will pay a price.

Tonight some of us will meet and pray for the nation of Saudi Arabia via a conference call. For any would like to join us please send me an email. My email address follows my signature at the bottom of this post.

But even if you pray in your own prayer closets or war rooms. Please remember the nation of Saudi Arabia and the believers who are at the foot of his cross. Please pray for the harvest to come out of that nation.

The paracast link is below.

http://www.prayercast.com/phone/saudi-arabia.html

From the foot of His cross.

Bro Blaine

[email protected]

 2017/2/14 7:50









 Re: Tuesday PM, 2/14/17

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One of the most difficult Persecution Watch calls I moderated was 2 years ago. It was on the day two years ago when 21 Coptic believers were martyred for their faith in Jesus. This took place on the shores of Libya. They were martyred by ISIS. Below is a poem put out by the Egyptian Bible Society. Tomorrow will be the second anniversary when these precious saints shed their blood for Jesus.

I do remember on the night of our call it was heavy spirit of sorrow. But one thing I told my intercessors was that on that day Satan did not get the victory. It was the Lord Jesus Christ. For the saints died with the name of Jesus on their lips and with Him in their heart. The poem is below.

_______________________

Two Rows By the Sea: a poem about faith in the face of adversity

They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated, the world was not worthy of them.” (Hebrews 11:37-38)

I don’t think I will ever read this passage again without seeing in my mind images of men dressed in orange jump suits with black-clad, masked executors behind each one of them. ISIS’s brutal killing of 21 Christian Egyptians in Libya last month for being ‘people of the Cross’ devastated their families and shocked Egypt – and the world.

Very encouraged

When I arrived at the Bible Society office the morning after the video was released, feeling sad and depressed, a young coworker told me that as well as the horror and sorrow she felt at the young men’s deaths, their faith had left her feeling ‘very encouraged.’

“What has happened has shown me that there are Christians today who are brave enough to face death rather than deny their Lord,” she told me. “It has shown me that the the Gospel message can still help us to hold onto the promises of God, even when facing death.”

Mourning nation

To bring comfort to a mourning nation, we at the Bible Society produced more than a million copies of a leaflet called ‘Two Rows by the Sea’, which is being distributed throughout the country. It contains a collection of Scripture passages about faith in adversity and God’s enduring love. It also includes a poem, from which the leaflet takes its name, written by medical doctor who has a gift for writing poetry. I’d like to share the poem here. May it bless you as it has blessed many people across the world over the past two weeks:

Two Rows By the Sea

Two rows of men walked the shore of the sea,
On a day when the world’s tears would run free.
One a row of assassins, who thought they did right,
The other of innocents, true sons of the light.
One holding knives in hands held high,
The other with hands empty, defenseless and tied.
One row of slits to conceal glaring-dead eyes,
The other with living eyes raised to the skies.
One row stood steady, pall-bearers of death,
The other knelt ready, welcoming heaven’s breath.
One row spewed wretched, contemptible threats,
The other spread God-given peace and rest.
A Question… Who fears the other?
The row in orange, watching paradise open?
Or the row in black, with minds evil and broken?

_____________________________

And they overcame him because of the blood of the lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death....Revelation 12:11

From the foot of His cross.

Bro Blaine

 2017/2/14 18:34









 Re: Wednesday AM, 2/15/17

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On This Day Remembering the Martyrs of Jesus

I remember reading in a VOM magazine that it was never considered a service in the early church unless the martyrs were remembered. Thus a list of the witnesses of Jesus would be red. Those who were slain for the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.

Two years ago on this day 21 Coptic believers in Christ were marched out by the sea of the Mediterranean on the shores of Libya.  Each one of these precious brothers died with one name on their lips. That was the name of Jesus. Each one of these precious brothers would pray things like. "Help me Lord Jesus." :Let me be faithful to you."  "Into your hands I commend my spirit."

On this day 2 years ago it made no difference that these brothers came out of a Coptic liturgical background.  All of their Coptic upbringing meant nothing on February 15th, 2015. The nnly name that was precious to these dear saints was the name of Jesus. Each one of those saints died with that name on their lips. This is why that day 2 years ago Satan did not get the victory. But the victory belonged to the Lord Jesus Christ. These precious brothers did not deny Jesus even in the face of death. For they loved not their lives even unto death.

But brothers and sisters what does the testimony of these 21 martyrs tell us today. Consider the verses in Hebrews 12:1 -3,

...Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses (martyrs) surrounding us, let us lay aside every encumbrance in the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who has endured such hostility by singers against himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart...

In the New Testament Greek the word martyr is translated wiitness.  The example of these 21 believers who laid down their lives for Jesus should speak to our hearts. Their example should speak into our hearts to take up our cross and follow Jesus.

I find it interesting that a discussion is taking place in the forum over Galatians 2:20,

... I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me...

The discussion is focusing on is this promise or experience. Our persecuted brothers and sisters would say this is reality. For they would understand the command of Jesus in Luke 9:23,

... If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me...

Our persecuted brothers and sisters would articulate with the Apostle Paul, "I die daily."  For some this day it will mean the literal laying down their lives for the Lord Jesus Christ.

But then the question must be, is He worth it? Is He worth it?  Is He worth dying for? Evidently 21 Believers in Christ felt he was worth laying down their lives two years ago. What does the say our hearts?

Below is a short video link remembering our dear brothers in Jesus who laid down their lives for Him. Let us remember and honor our martyred brethren this day.


https://youtu.be/a7KzxMBxHVU


This is posted in honor of our martyred brothers who laid down their lives for Jesus. This is posted in honor of those who will continue to lay down their lives for Jesus until He returns.

This is from the foot of His cross.

Brother Blaine

---Edited for grammatical correction and clarity---

 2017/2/15 5:51









 Re: Wednesdsy PM, 2/15/17

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Who would dare to love ISIS?  Who would dare to love the jihadist?  Could it be that Jesus would dare to love them? Could it be that we are called to love them?  Were it not for the blood of Jesus would we be any different from the jihadist?

The video below is a response from the people of the cross to the Islamic jihadist. Very encouraging. But will we apply it to our hearts?

https://youtu.be/uSv4vBcFyvo

.......But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven, for He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous......Matthew 5:44-45

Very radical what Jesus teaches above. But then were we not all His enemies of until we came to Faith in Him?

From the foot of his cross.

Bro Blaine

 2017/2/15 20:41









 Re: Thurs. AM, 2/16/17

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Brothers and Sisters,

James writes that our lives are as a vapor before the Lord and then vanish away. But just because our lives are brief in God's eyes does not mean that our lives have to be empty.

The video below is the story of Nurta. This was a dear sister in the nation of Somalia.  She gave her life to Jesus at 17 years of age. In the nation of Somalia when one comes to Christ there is a death sentence put upon them. This dear sister suffered much for her faith in Jesus. But she saw that Jesus was worth living and dying for.

The nation of Somalia ranks # 2 on the Open Doors World Watch List.  The jihadist group Al-Shabaab has said that they will rid Somalia of all Christians. Needless to say the ground of Somalia runs red with the blood of the martyrs. But let us also pray that out of their blood much seed will come as Jesus continues to build His church in that country.

As you watch this video please remember the nation of Somalia in your prayers. It is estimated that there are less than 300 Believers in a nation that is filled with millions of Muslims. Yet these precious saints continue to be burning llghts against a crooked and perverse generation.  For they shine like stars in the universe.

Also as you watch his video let it speak to your heart. Let us pray that our lives will not be empty. But however long we live before Jesus. Let us pray that our lives on earth will be full of the things of eternity. Let us pray that our life will be full of Jesus.


https://youtu.be/NaHF5wN-kHw


Some of us will meet tonight over a conference call and pray for the nation of Somalia. For any who would like to join our call please send me an email. My email address will follow my signature at the end of this post.

From the foot of his cross.

Bro Blaine 
[email protected] 

 2017/2/16 8:00









 Re: Thurs. PM, 2/16/17

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Below is the story of a brother in Somalia who is perservering on his faith in Jesus.

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I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“You are a kaffir (infidel)! You will die!”

The words rolled easily off the Somali’s tongue. Ahmed was very offended. When he lost his job and could no longer pay his rent, Mohammed had taken him in. Despite Mohammed’s kindness to him, Ahmed could not let his suspicions go.

One day, he went through Mohammed’s things and found an audio Bible in Mohammed’s room. He realized that Mohammed had become a follower of Isa (Jesus).

To Ahmed, this was a decision that deserved death.

Three nights after the initial discovery, Ahmed attacked Mohammed with a knife. “I saw nothing, just felt the sudden sharp pain to my head and felt the blood streaming down my neck.”

By the grace of God, neighbors came to his aid. Ahmed ran away and Mohammed was taken to hospital.

“Ahmed was my friend, someone I’ve known for a long time. I housed him when he had nowhere to go, and in return, I got this. It is very painful.”

When he met with Open Doors, Mohammed looked gaunt. His hair showed strands of grey and his brown eyes constantly scanned the surroundings for those with evil intent against him.

But as hard as this has been, Mohammed has not given up his faith. “It is the only place where I have ever had inner peace. Despite the isolation and persecution, I am at peace. This is why I hold on to Christ. Going back to Islam is not an option.”

_____________________

Please remember this dear brother and other precious saints in the nation of Somalia in your prayers. For the Saints in Durham much the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

From the foot of His cross

Bro Blaine

 2017/2/16 19:11









 Re: Fri. AM, 2/17/16

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Hebrews 2:4

.......God also testifying with them both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his own will.......


Hebrews 13:8

....... Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.......


Acts 13:41

....... For I am accomplishing a work in your days, I work that you will never believe, though someone should describe it to you.......


Brothers and Sisters,

The stories I post in this thread from the persecuted church are true and are not made up. This is not fiction. Though it is hard for us in America to believe that God is actually performing miracles among our persecuted brethrem.  God is still doing signs and wonders. Evidently He did not get the memo that miracles ceased after the first century.  And praise God He is still working.

The video below is a story of a dear sister in Iran.  Before Padina came by Christ she was about to commit suicide along with your sick mother.  It was through a message of salvation that she and her mother found hope.  As you watch the video below please remember those in Iran such as Padina and her mother who are now laboring in the underground church. Also please continue to remember our persecuted brothers and sisters in your prayers.


https://youtu.be/1nXz6OhFTqo


From the foot of His cross.

Bro Blaine

 2017/2/17 8:00









 Re: Sat. AM, 2/18/17

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Our brother Joel Richardson continues with the story of Padina.  I posted the video of her testimony yesterday.  In the interview wirh Padina Joel plays the video again. And then gives a further explanation of some of the things that took place in the video.

Also Joel continues to interview our dear sister as she describes what working in the underground church in the Middle East is like. Both Padina and her mother are serving Christ by working with the secret church in Persia.

The ministry that Padina is associated with is not an expensive ministry.  They have no executive who receives a million-dollar salary. Nor do the ministry leaders live in million dollar homes. Those associated with Padina's live on about $1,200 a month. And they take public transportation in their ministry and their discipling activities.

God put it on my heart to support this ministry. When I called a US Representative. I asked him. "Please tell me your CEO does not have a gleaming office and live in a million dollar home."

The brother responded to me with a smile I can imagine on the other end of the line. He said, "Brother our CEO lives in a city in a restricted nation in the Middle East. Each day he steps out his life is forfeit."  I know this was a ministry that God let me to support.

Saints I only share this to let you know that there are legitimate ministries who are serving our persecuted brethren. Their ninistry headquarters are in a small apartment in a city in a restricted nation. Those involved with such cutting edge ministries will daily lay down their lives for the Lord Jesus Christ. If discovered, these dear saints will either imprisoned or tortured or possibly even martyred.

As Paul Harvey would say. Now for the rest of the story. The video is about 23 minutes long. As you watch the video please do remember our persecuted brothers and sisters who are serving Jesus from the foot of the cross. Many of them are serving Him realizing that their lives are forfeit. But these dear brothers and sisters serve Christ realizing that He is worth it. They are serving Jesus realizing that He died for them. These precious saints are willing to die for Jesus so that others might know him.


https://youtu.be/xDeV6D5oNXY


From the foot of His cross.

Bro Blaine 

 2017/2/18 8:28









 Re: Sat. PM, 2/18/17

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Chris Mitchell is a respected reporter. He lives in Jerusalem and works for CBN. I have found his reports to be factual and devoid of sensationalism.

It was our blessing to have this brother on our call a few years ago.  He provided much valuable insight as to what is taking place in the Middle East.  Below is a YouTube report of what God is doing among the refugees in the Kurdistan Autonomous Region otherwise known as northern Iraq.  

As you watch this short report do praise God for the harvest he is bringing among the refugees.  And do pray that those who embrace Christ will grow in the grace and knowledge of Him.  For sure Jesus is building his church in the Middle East. And the Gates of hell itself will not prevail against the church that He is building.  

Thanks be to God for the victory he gives in Jesus.


https://youtu.be/JtoBKILsoz0


From the foot of this cross.


Bro Blaine

 2017/2/18 19:02









 Re: Sun. AM, 2/19/17

Hebrews 11:32-40New American Standard Bible (NASB)

32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their [a]release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others [b]experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, [c]they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes [d]in the ground.

39 And all these, having [e]gained approval through their faith, did not receive [f]what was promised, 40 because God had [g]provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.

Hebrews 12:1-3

....... Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who has endured such hostility by singers against him so so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.......

Hebrews 13:7-8

.......Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you, and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.


Hebrews is considered one of the most Jewish books in the New Testament. As its name implies the book was probably written to a group of Hebrew believers under persecution. The temptation was to go back to the old ways of Judaism. Yet the author pleads with them to consider Jesus and what He has done and what He is doing. The exhortation is the same to run the race that is set before them after they've laid aside the encumbrances and the sin in their life.

This book also speaks to us today in that we see our persecuted brothers and sisters who live out the reality of Jesus Christ in this day and age. This book is so relevant in that it continues to give the witness of those who are living in the shadow of the cross. In the passage above the writer reminds us that we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. In a post a few days ago I shared that the New Testament word "witness" also means "martyr".

I'm sure the forum wonders why I keep posting reports about our persecuted brethren around the world. Few people read this thread. Let alone few people comment on it. Some in the forum probably would wonder. What does the persecuted church have to do with promoting Christ centered rebival?

First of all I continue to post about our persecuted brothers and sisters because God has put it on my heart. Their story must be heard. Since I do not do Facebook Sermonindexnex is the closest venue I can come to sharing those about those saints who suffer in the shadow of the cross. I appreciate Greg for allowing me grace to continue this thread.

But another reason I post about our persecuted brothers and sister is is there example to us. We in America are living in a disconnect to the persecuted church. Two out of every three Christians in the world suffer some form of persecution. That would imply that we in America are in the 30% that do not know the degree of Affliction and hardship our persecuted brethren go through.

I am not trying to bring guilt on anyone in the forum or myself. But brothers and sisters let's face it. Our persecuted family have a far greater reality of the cross of Jesus Christ in their lives and we do. While the discussion is going on about Galatians 2:20 has to being promised or experience. Our brothers and sisters would say this is reality. At least to a saint in Eritrea or North Korea they would see that being dead to Christ is a death sentence. For them it is real. They would say with deep conviction that they are crucified with Christ. They would say their life is forfeit to Him. They would say that truly they are crucified and dead to themselves.

But our persecuted family would also articulate that Christ is living in them. But being dead to themselves. Christ lives in them. And His fragrances is manifested through their broken lives.

The verses above would be the message of the persecuted Church to us. And more so in America. They would say to us that we Americas should lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us. They would say to embrace the cross of Jesus. And to run that race that is set before us fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith in Him.

When I was involved with Calvinism, many of my reformed brethren would say that they had been instructed by the Puritan divine's. Sometimes I think it was said with a degree of pride. Personally I would rather say it all humility that I have been instructed by my brothers and sisters at the foot of the cross. This would be the persecuted Church. I pray for these dear saints daily. But I also feel like that I am not worthy to wash their feet in my prayers. Yet their plea is always to pray for them. And God has called me to this ministry. As unworthy as I am it is only by His grace that I can pray for my brothers and sisters.

But there example to me is that I may obey Jesus as they do. At this point I may not be facing death as they are on a daily basis. But their message to me would be to die daily to the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life that comes from the world. In other words my persecuted brothers and sisters would say to me to die to American evangelicalism. Deny yourself and take up your cross daily and follow Jesus. For my persecuted brothers and sisters would say this is what we do on a daily basis when our lives are forfeit.

What does the persecuted church have to do with revival. The fastest growing churches are found in nations that are hostile to the things of Christ. Operation World tells us that two of the fastest-growing churches are in China and Iran. These nations are anything but friendly to Christ. The greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit since Pentacost is occurring among Muslims who are coming to Jesus in dreams and visions. And they are willing to follow Him even at the risk of their own lives.

The question to us is do we want such a faith here in America. Do we want an authentic faith of Jesus in our lives that will reflect what our persecuted brothers and sisters are going through. President Trump wants to keep out those in foreign nations that are of Islamic background. Muslin background believers who have come to Christ would say they would prefer to remain there in the harvest. MBB's want very little to do with American Christianity. Not in its present form.

Brothers and sisters I do not know what lies in the future. I believe the persecution of the American church may be the best thing that could happen to us. But some are praying that persecution will not come. And that God would spare us. Certainly that is what the devil wants. And the American Church continues to hit the snooze alarm.

But God be Praised. I say again but God be Praised. Jesus is raising up a remnant in this nation who will embrace the cross and not be afraid to die for Jesus so that they may live.

Our persecuted brothers and sister would say to us come and join us in the race which we are running. Those who have crossed the finish llne into the Heavenly Jerusalem would be cheering us on. The persecuted brothers and sisters would say to us live victoriously in Jesus as we did. Come join us in the Heavenly assembly from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues that no one can count. Our persecuted brothers and sisters would say to us Let us all gather around the Throne of God and Jesus and say salvation to God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!!!

Oh my Lord Jesus!!! How we wait and long for that day!!! But in the meantime may we be faithful in running our race before You even this day. Anen!

From the foot of His cross.

Bro Blaine

---edited for grammatical corrections---

 2017/2/19 9:49





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