When Government chooses your Religion

Here are a couple of brief samples from the Newsletter content of
Voice of the Martyrs (serving the persecuted Church)February 2011 edition.

In Sunday School or bible study, I often speak of those who are being murdered (martyred) for their Christian faith or for delivering bibles or holding Home Church. On a selfish plane I am grateful that we are not required to manifest
our faith in such a hostile environment. Those who are often killed or sentenced to die have done nothing more than profess their faith in Jesus. I wonder what would I do if confronted with a death sentence for my Faith????

When these stories are heard, we often respond as follows:
Our tendency is to say WHY? Or, how can a loving God allow such atrocity? Or, our heart says "my God is more kind to me than allowing others to take my life for my faith in Jesus."

Jesus warned all disciples about the effect our faith in him would have on others. He gave us the warning and reasons why others would persecute us. If the world, at the time of Jesus, would not believe and allow Him to live, why should we expect any less? The following scripture provides a very poignant reminder of the reality that many around the world now face. When I see or hear of their persecution, I think how great it is that my Brothers and Sisters around the globe have unshakable faith. It strengthens me while causing me great distress.

John 15:20, Jesus said, "Remember the words I spoke to you:
No servant is greater than his master, if they persecuted me,
they will persecute you also..."

Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed
are you when people insult you, persecute you, and say all manner of
evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great
is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the
prophets who were before you."

Here are a couple of excerpts from the latest Voice of the Martyrs
(Serving the Persecuted Church, February 2011).

The headline reads: "A Death Sentence for Asia Bibi" and below that is her
photograph. She appears to be a very young woman. Here is the essence
from the article.

"On a hot Friday afternoon in June 2009, Asia
Bibi left her post to get water for the other women
who were picking fruit with her. But the
women she worked with on the farm in Punjab
province, Pakistan, refused her hospitality, saying
the water was contaminated by her Christian
hands. Asia and the women reportedly had a
heated exchange about religion, and for more than
a week afterward, her Muslim co-workers taunted her
for being a Christian and insisted that she
should follow Mohammed. She finally replied,
"Our Christ sacrificed his life on the cross for our
sins. What has your prophet done for you? Our
Christ is alive. Your prophet is dead. Our Christ
is the true prophet of God and yours is not true."
Asia was charged with blasphemy and locked in
jail, where she remained for nearly 17 months
before being sentenced to death. At the time of this
writing, Asia was still in jail, pending the
outcome of a legal appeal to her death sentence.

Asia was convicted under Pakistan's cruel
blasphemy law, which mandates a jail sentence just
for talking "badly" about Mohammed. After more than 30
court hearings, Asia was sentenced to death in
November 2010.

Note: When told of Asia's death sentence, Muslim leader
Qari Salim told CNN, "Tears of joy poured from my eyes."
[I doubt anyone is expecting a reprieve from the pending
appeal. Full story at www.persecution.com/newsletter]

SECOND STORY:

The headline: "Iran's Supreme Leader Warns Against
House Church Movement"

"House Church leaders fear a new wave of persecution after
a threatening speech by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatolla Ali
Hoseini-Khamenei, in a speech on Oct. 19, 2010, he warned
against the 'network of house churches' that 'threaten Islamic faith
and deceive you Muslims.' Iranian Christians hope the
speech will not result in more pressure but instead will draw
more Iranians to Christ."

We in the USA have much for which to be grateful. A government
void of power to dictate our religious exercise of our faith is
arguably a big one. Please pray for those of our Brothers and Sisters
in Christ who are harassed and/or persecuted for their faith in our
Lord, King and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

I am grateful for those who are providing Bibles in the native languages
for the countries where house churches are beginning and often flourishing.
Whether we live free depends on the price we are willing to pay and the
price others are willing to pay to protect our freedom.

God bless you, R
Richard Darnell

http://RichardDarnell.com
http://RichDarnell.blogspot.com
http://Wynn2010.ws (best little home business on the planet)