I suffer in the West more than I did in the communist lands.
My suffering consists first of all in the longing after the unspeakable beauties of the Underground Church, the church which fulfills the Old Latin saying Nudisnudum Christi sequi (naked, follow the naked Christ).
In the communist camp, the Son of Man and those who are His have nowhere to lay their heads. Christians there don't build houses for themselves. To what good? They will be confiscated at their first arrest. Just the fact that you have a new house can be a greater motive for you to be imprisoned, the communists wishing to have this house. There you don't bury your father, neither do you say farewell to your family before following Christ. Who is your mother, your brother, your sister? You are, in this respect, like Jesus. Mother and brother are for you only those who fulfill the will of God. As for the natural ties, can they count any more when it is a frequent occurrence that the bride denounces the bridegroom, children their parents, wives their husbands? It is more and more only the spiritual connection which remains.
The Underground Church is a poor and suffering church, but it has no lukewarm members.

Tortured for Christ pg.79

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Michelle

Praise the Lord.

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Christiaan

I love Richard Wurmbrand. It is true that we are so removed from what he is speaking about here because we have not had to live it, at least in the USA we haven't. We just might in the near future.

if you have never done so, check out the ministry Bro. Wurmbrand and his wife Sabrina started at Voice of the Martyrs:

[url=http://www.persecution.com/]Voice of the martyrs[/url]

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KLC

I do believe God has been, and is preparing His underground church here.

I have been led into a place where the Lord has caused me to choose Him, or the trinkets and baubles of this nation. We are being being given ample warning through those that are His servants, that tough times are ahead in this country.

This is the time to cleave to Him despite the trend that the modern church is taking. We have indulged ourselves with movies, music, food, and vacations, to the point that many don't like the idea of these things being removed from our hands.

The dollar will utterly collapse very soon, and many have been warning God's people to be ready so our faith doesn't collapse as well. It's almost like a powerful drug has been injected into most of the people, and they have become addicted to the pleasure it gives.

I do pray that as the system in this nation falls apart, that many will cry out in repentence, and see that the Bible clearly declares a life of suffering. We are no better than our Master and Saviour.

Although I do not live where Brother Wurmbrand lived, I can assure you that the Lord knows how to accomplish sufferings in His remnant church here. It is difficult when everyone else seems to be having a wonderful time being a Christian, and you are lonely and in affliction, but I would rather be like my brethren that are in the world.

The sufferings of this present time are truely not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Praise be to God!

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Kathleen

Well KathleenP God has been leading me along the same lines. He really impressed upon me to get out of debt several years ago and by His wonderful provision, I have. It is important to all the body to get out of debt at this time, if there is that much time left. But it would seem most christians turn a deaf ear to that, they like their trinkets and electronic devices, cars, houses, etc. etc., etc............... Now is the time go get out of debt folks.

Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
9 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

It would seem most are oblivious to the hour in which we live. Wake up church.

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KLC

This speaks so true of the faithful few.
Afghani believers are experiencing trials
we don't begin to understand. When they
receive Christ and profess HIM as Savior;
their family and friends disown and reject
them. They lose their jobs for turning
from Islam. They are driven from their
villages and told never to return or they
will be killed. How many of us truly know
what it means to forsake all for Christ~!!

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Martin G. Smith