March 12, 2014: Wilderness Challenge / Perilous Times and Perilous Men!
Mark 13:1-20
Amplified Bible (AMP)
13 And as [Jesus] was coming out of the temple [area], one of His disciples said to Him, Look, Teacher! Notice the sort and quality of these stones and buildings!
2 And Jesus replied to him, You see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be loosened and torn down.
3 And as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple [enclosure], Peter and James and John and Andrew asked Him privately,
4 Tell us when is this to take place and what will be the sign when these things, all [of them], are about to be accomplished?
5 And Jesus began to tell them, Be careful and watchful that no one misleads you [about it].
6 Many will come in [appropriating to themselves] the name [of Messiah] which belongs to Me [basing their claims on the use of My name], saying, I am [He]! And they will mislead many.
7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not get alarmed (troubled and frightened); it is necessary [that these things] take place, but the end is not yet.
8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines and calamities. This is but the beginning of the intolerable anguish and suffering [only the first of the birth pangs].
9 But look to yourselves; for they will turn you over to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake as a testimony to them.
10 And the good news (the Gospel) must first be preached to all nations.
11 Now when they take you [to court] and put you under arrest, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say nor [even] meditate about it; but say whatever is given you in that hour and at the moment, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12 And brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; and children will take a stand against their parents and [have] them put to death.
13 And you will be hated and detested by everybody for My name’s sake, but he who patiently perseveres and endures to the end will be saved (made a partaker of the salvation by Christ, and delivered from spiritual death).
14 But when you see the abomination of desolation mentioned by Daniel the prophet standing where it ought not to be—[and] let the one who reads take notice and consider and understand and heed [this]—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house nor go inside to take anything out of his house;
16 And let him who is in the field not turn back again to get his mantle (cloak).
17 And alas for those who are pregnant and for those who have nursing babies in those days!
18 Pray that it may not occur in winter,
19 For at that time there will be such affliction (oppression and tribulation) as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until this particular time—and positively never will be [again].
20 And unless the Lord had shortened the days, no human being would be saved (rescued); but for the sake of the elect, His chosen ones (those whom He picked out for Himself), He has shortened the days.
Those poor disciples. They simply mentioned the beautiful stones on the building and they opened a can of worms!!!
They couldn't have a regular conversation with Jesus. He turned everything into a teaching session.
Hey! I want to be more like Jesus! I want to look for EVERY opportunity to turn the conversation from earthly things to spiritual things! Because EVERYTHING IS spiritual! We are spiritual beings!
Folks, carefully read this chapter again! Not one of these events mentioned here haven't happened yet somewhere in the world.
The Response to Persecution
PersecutionBlog_Admin
March 11, 2014
Christians in Indonesia continue to worship at the Bait el Dokulamo church, eight years after jihad extremists burned their church building and killed 35 people.
The testimonies of persecuted Christians challenge us. Reading their stories nearly every day, I often ask myself if they are challenging me in the right way. What is our response to their testimonies?
Some believers that VOM work with are not persecuted for being Christians but rather for their evangelistic activities and because they share the gospel. In some places the government or other religious groups can be tolerant of other beliefs and officials will even tell believers they that have no problem with them being Christians. It’s the activities that accompany their Christianity that they take issue with. It’s the active evangelism that causes the persecution.
I had a convicting thought about this. If the United States became opposed to all evangelistic activities and anything that involved openly sharing our faith outside of the church, how long would it take for me to get into trouble? Would it take a week for someone to notice? A month? Or could possibly years go by before anyone would ever take issue with me for boldly sharing the gospel with an unbeliever? Somehow it can be so easy to be involved in all kinds of church and ‘ministry’ but we can still miss the basic mandate of sharing the good news of Christ with the lost.
It’s not that Christians in America don’t care about the lost; I think it’s that some of us are so distracted by everything else. I heard a pastor once say, “If God answered every one of your prayers from the last week- how many people would be saved?” It’s a sobering thought when I realize that often the majority of my prayers are not for lost people that I know. My prayers demonstrate where my attention is and my actions even more so. Where is our attention? How active are we with the lost?
One of the main things that VOM does is support what we call ‘front-line’ workers. We should also ask ourselves if live like we are on the front-lines. We, who don’t face as strong of an opposition to being on the front-line can sometimes get so distracted by our homes and retirement and vacations and investments that if we aren’t careful, we will forget the spiritual battle that we are in. It is important to remember that it’s not just in the countries where we see blatant persecution that the battle exists. The battle is here. It’s everywhere that people turn their worship towards something other than Jesus, whether or not they say it’s a deity.
I hope that our response to the testimonies of those who are persecuted for sharing their faith don’t just cause us to feel sorry for them, feel guilty, or wonder why we are spoiled. I can take this even further; I hope these stories don’t only cause us to want to advocate for the freedoms of Christians in closed nations, or make us more grateful that we can go to bookstore and purchase a Bible, or cause us to pray for persecuted Christians, or send them something they need. None of these last things are bad, in fact they are very good things.
But more than anything I hope their stories of astounding faith cause us to act, to stand up in our front-line and in our own sphere of influence and do exactly what they are doing: advance the Kingdom; share the good news of Christ and His gospel. I hope the stories of our persecuted brothers and sisters compel and inspire us to a deeper walk with Christ, and a deeper desire for people to know Him, and I think that is what they would want as well.
“Grace Taylor” serves on the staff of VOM. She was first introduced to the ministry of VOM by her parents and grandparents, who received the VOM newsletter, and through the VOM book Jesus Freaks. She has served in 12 different countries and is passionate about helping expand God’s Kingdom throughout the nations of the world.
March 10, 2014
Christians in India have been suffering from a variety of trials. In recent months, numerous Christians have faced legal action for practicing their faith. Some have been beaten and others killed as a result of their faith in Christ.
I am reminded of James 1:2–4, which says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
While the Indian constitution guarantees freedom of religion, there are six states which have laws against “forced conversions.” Often, these types of laws are specifically used to target Christians.
In one local church where many have come to Christ, there are three men and two women that are very active in evangelizing to those around them. They are subsistence farmers and they work hard to feed their families. Udhaykumar and Meenakshi have two toddlers, a boy and girl, and they reach out to other families. Basavaraju and his wife, Rathna, as well as Yogesh are all local evangelists who share the gospel with others, pass out gospel tracts and hold prayer services in their homes. They do this on a daily basis and as a result of their faithfulness and patience, many are coming to Christ.
Radical Hindus in the area have taken notice and become upset. On Feb. 4, after the group complained to police because the three families were spreading Christianity and converting people, local police filed charges and began searching for the evangelists to arrest them. As a result, they have had to go into hiding while they wait for bail to be set. A lawyer is helping the three families and has gone to local authorities to try to bring action against those who accused the evangelists but had no proof.
Not long ago in another part of India, Pastor Philip was at a house where Christians had met for worship services. Radicals became angered and attacked the Christians, causing injury to the pastor, six men, three women, and a 7-year-old girl. Police were called and although the injured were taken to the hospital, charges were still filed against the Christians. The radical group also threatened the Christians by telling them that they would burn the house and kill the people there if caught worshipping God again.
By all recent accounts, they have not given up. They continue to have faith in Jesus Christ and know that what they are doing matters. These brothers and sisters are living testimonies of what it means to “fall into various trials” and still count it all joy and continue their work.
“Ann Kay” is a writer for VOM. She learned about VOM five years ago when she read Tortured for Christ and began receiving the newsletter. She is passionate about reaching the world for Christ and sharing stories of the persecuted church.
Australian Christian Expelled from North Korea
March 7, 2014
Media reports early this week stated that Australian Christian John Short has been expelled from North Korea after being detained there last month, allegedly for distributing Christian literature while visiting the secretive nation as a tourist.
North Korea’s official media reported that Short was released “thanks to the tolerance of the law of the DPRK and in full consideration of his age.” Short is 75.
THANK YOU for praying for John Short and his family during the time of his detention. His wife Karen has publicly said how much the prayers of God’s people around the world meant to her. Please continue to pray for Christians in North Korea, especially those suffering in the country’s notorious labor camps.
Prior to leaving Pyongyang on a flight for Beijing, China, Short was required to read out loud and sign a statement of apology, including a statement that, “I wanted more Korean people to be Christians therefore I secretly spread Bible tracts written by me.”
In his first public comments after being released Short said he was interrogated for two hours each morning and two more hours each afternoon during his detention. He also said he was kept under guard in a room and not allowed to go out at all.
Christians in India have been suffering from a variety of trials. In recent months, numerous Christians have faced legal action for practicing their faith. Some have been beaten and others killed as a result of their faith in Christ.
I am reminded of James 1:2–4, which says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
While the Indian constitution guarantees freedom of religion, there are six states which have laws against “forced conversions.” Often, these types of laws are specifically used to target Christians.
In one local church where many have come to Christ, there are three men and two women that are very active in evangelizing to those around them. They are subsistence farmers and they work hard to feed their families. Udhaykumar and Meenakshi have two toddlers, a boy and girl, and they reach out to other families. Basavaraju and his wife, Rathna, as well as Yogesh are all local evangelists who share the gospel with others, pass out gospel tracts and hold prayer services in their homes. They do this on a daily basis and as a result of their faithfulness and patience, many are coming to Christ.
Radical Hindus in the area have taken notice and become upset. On Feb. 4, after the group complained to police because the three families were spreading Christianity and converting people, local police filed charges and began searching for the evangelists to arrest them. As a result, they have had to go into hiding while they wait for bail to be set. A lawyer is helping the three families and has gone to local authorities to try to bring action against those who accused the evangelists but had no proof.
Not long ago in another part of India, Pastor Philip was at a house where Christians had met for worship services. Radicals became angered and attacked the Christians, causing injury to the pastor, six men, three women, and a 7-year-old girl. Police were called and although the injured were taken to the hospital, charges were still filed against the Christians. The radical group also threatened the Christians by telling them that they would burn the house and kill the people there if caught worshipping God again.
By all recent accounts, they have not given up. They continue to have faith in Jesus Christ and know that what they are doing matters. These brothers and sisters are living testimonies of what it means to “fall into various trials” and still count it all joy and continue their work.
“Ann Kay” is a writer for VOM. She learned about VOM five years ago when she read Tortured for Christ and began receiving the newsletter. She is passionate about reaching the world for Christ and sharing stories of the persecuted church.
Australian Christian Expelled from North Korea
March 7, 2014
Media reports early this week stated that Australian Christian John Short has been expelled from North Korea after being detained there last month, allegedly for distributing Christian literature while visiting the secretive nation as a tourist.
North Korea’s official media reported that Short was released “thanks to the tolerance of the law of the DPRK and in full consideration of his age.” Short is 75.
THANK YOU for praying for John Short and his family during the time of his detention. His wife Karen has publicly said how much the prayers of God’s people around the world meant to her. Please continue to pray for Christians in North Korea, especially those suffering in the country’s notorious labor camps.
Prior to leaving Pyongyang on a flight for Beijing, China, Short was required to read out loud and sign a statement of apology, including a statement that, “I wanted more Korean people to be Christians therefore I secretly spread Bible tracts written by me.”
In his first public comments after being released Short said he was interrogated for two hours each morning and two more hours each afternoon during his detention. He also said he was kept under guard in a room and not allowed to go out at all.
Yeah. You get the picture. I guess I'm going to sound like a street corner preacher when I say, "The END is NEAR!" But the end IS near.
Let's recap Jesus' instructions to guide us through these perilous times and perilous men.
1. Be careful.
2. Don't allow yourself to be mislead.
3. Don't be alarmed when you hear of wars happening, but at the same time...
4. Look after yourselves. In other words, watch out!
5. Preach the gospel to all nations.
6. Don't give any thought at all to what you're going to say when you're dragged into court.
7. Endure to the end.
8. If you're living in Judea, flee to the mountains when you see the abomination of desolation set up where it ought not to be.
9. Don't turn back even to get your coat!!!
10. Pray these events do not happen during the winter.
"Jesus, Wow. These scriptures are scary and comforting at the same time! Don't worry about what you will say when you are dragged into court? Not looking forward to that happening! And yet, man's court will be a piece of cake compared to God's Court!
2 Corinthians 5:10
Amplified Bible (AMP)
10 For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing].
Psalm 118:6
Amplified Bible (AMP)
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Hebrews 13:6
Amplified Bible (AMP)
6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?
"So yeah, Jesus. Not looking forward to these perilous times. But am I afraid? Not at all! I've got You! I'd much rather face man's court here on earth with You by my side telling me what to say. I certainly don't want to escape man's court only to face YOU on Judgement Day with NO WORDS to explain why I was ashamed of You on earth. That's definitely a REAL FEAR that can be easily avoided. I love You for giving me clear instructions. I long to obey Your precious Word and see You face to face! My Redeemer! My Savior! Jesus, the Lamb for sinners slain. AMEN."
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