Tag: persecution

Fear is a Lie

Hearts Not ForgottenLeave a comment

Persecution has always existed.

One of the reasons I started this blog is because I thought there wasn’t enough conversation about persecution.  In such a short period of time, the whole world has begun talking about it in a new way.  The tangible evil is showing it’s face and wont be ignored.  They are familiar now, words that evoke images of terror and death that are designed to make us feel fear deep in our hearts: ISIS, ISIL, IS, AQAP (Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula), Ansar Al Sharia in Libya, Boko Haram, Hamas, Hezbollah, Marxism, Communism.  Whatever name they are using, they all share the same roots and the same goals: power, death, destruction and ultimately to stop the TRUTH of Jesus Christ.

I often hear people talk about positivity and negativity, the light versus the dark, how if we could all just be kinder and show more love then we can influence the universe and make it a better place. I don’t believe this. I don’t believe that the universe has a personality and cares about us. I don’t believe that we came from nothing for nothing.

I believe we are created in the image of God for a purpose.  We are to love God and love each other.

Fear is a lie.

It is a distraction designed to hold you back from the truth.  We are not alone.  This isn’t just a battle against the evil we see, but against the evil we cannot see.

Ephesians 6:10-20 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

The Fight against Evil

10 Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11 Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. 12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. 13 So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day[a] comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.

14 Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor. 15 Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. 16 Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit.

18 Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people. 19 Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news. 20 I was sent to do this work, and that’s the reason I am in jail. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should.

United in Prayer

When I began this blog I wasn’t sure who I would be writing to, I just felt pressure from God to share what I was learning about persecuted Christians. I thought I would be writing to teens in the USA, instead God is leading me to a different audience.  Along with American readers, it is incredible to see all the countries that have viewed my blog, I am honored.

My brothers and sisters in Brazil, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Dominican Republic, Australia, Canada, India, Romania, Nepal, Bolivia, United Kingdom, Algeria, Czech Republic, Austria, Philippines, Moldova, and Thailand   I am praying for all of you.

God Bless You,

Shae

We are united in prayer against the rising evil.

Philippians 1:28 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

28 Be brave when you face your enemies. Your courage will show them that they are going to be destroyed, and it will show you that you will be saved. God will make all of this happen,

Prayers, Letters & Encouragement

Hearts Not Forgotten3 Comments

 Hebrews 13:3 New International Version (NIV)

3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

There are an estimated 100 hundred million Christians facing persecution in the world.  Christians all around the world are imprisoned for their faith in Jesus.  According to Open Doors USA each month 332 Christians are killed, 214 Churches and Christian properties are destroyed and 772 acts of violence are committed against Christians.  For more information click here.

When I first learned about persecution I went to the Voice of the Martyrs website. I was looking for a way to help. I initially thought that would mean going overseas or giving money. I’m not old enough for relief work and I only make a little bit of money babysitting sometimes.  Most of the time, I am babysitting my little sister and my mom usually pays me in books and lattes.  So, I wasn’t sure how I could do anything to help without going overseas.  Right away. I learned there is much I can do. I can write to Christians imprisoned for their faith around the world, to encourage them and let them know they are not forgotten.  Often the prisoners don’t receive the letters, but the letters let the prison officials know there is an audience and the world is aware of their political prisoners.  You can also write letters and emails to government officials on behalf of the prisoners.

Prisoner Alert is a ministry under Voice of the Martyrs. With Prisoner Alert you can be alerted when Christians are arrested and  receive prayer requests and updates. They share information about Christians who are imprisoned so you can pray and write for them.  Before Prisoner Alert posts about a prisoner they get permission from their family and church.  You can also purchase a Prisoner Letter Writing Kit from Voice of the Martyrs that has eight prisoner profiles and self mailers. In the beginning, you might not be sure what to say, Prisoner Alert has suggested phrases you can use.  I’m excited, I got my first kit and I am writing the letters now.

With Open Doors letter writing you send in the letters you write to Open Doors and they will translate and deliver the letters to persecuted Christians. You can write letters of encouragement to children in orphanages and families who have loved ones who are imprisoned or who have been killed.  While writing letters to prisoners can offer encouragement to them and communicating with government officials can help, the most important and powerful thing we can do is pray. Starting with Paul the Apostle, through stories of modern persecution we see the same threads of connection.  Through the power of prayer people are healed, they are comforted during unimaginable trials, they are continually walking with God and keeping their eyes fixed on Him.  There are so many things we can pray for them: hope, strength, comfort, boldness in witnessing to their persecutor and fellow prisoners and to forgive their persecutors.  They are never alone, He is always there.  You can have prayer alerts and request sent to your email from Open Doors and Voice of the Martyrs.

Keep in Touch

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Thanks for reading and God bless you!

Shae

“Our prayers can go where we cannot…there are no borders, no prison walls, no closed doors that are closed to us when we pray.”     -Brother Andrew- Founder of Open Doors

Where His Path Led Me

Hearts Not Forgotten11 Comments

My name is Shae.  I am a Christian homeschooler. I live in the Pacific Northwest.

Last year I read a book that left a huge impression on me called Safely Home by Randy Alcorn of Eternal Perspective Ministries at http://www.epm.org.  I  had read another one of his books called Deadline that I had really enjoyed.  Safely Home is about the underground church in China and the persecution Christians face.  That book opened my eyes to what it means to be a Christian in other countries.  I  could not stop thinking about it, so I read everything I could find about persecution.

I knew that Christians in other countries did not have freedom like we do in the West, but I was shocked when I found out they are arrested, imprisoned, tortured, and killed for their faith.  I started praying about it, asking God to show me how I could help.  I helped my mom’s friend with her garage sale, she told me I could have any books I wanted.  I found a book called The Narrow Road written by Brother Andrew founder of Open Doors.   His story inspired me and showed me how God can use one person to make a difference.  I’ve heard many times at church and Bible studies that God uses imperfect people in His plan.  I know that He can use me.  Soon after I finished that book I was at a store and saw two books I had been looking for Tortured for Christ and Jesus Freak.

Tortured for Christ was written by Richard Wurmbrand, the founder of Voice of the Martyrs.  In his book he wrote about his fourteen years captive in a Romanian prison.  He was tortured and spent three years in solitary confinement.   His wife Sabina, also spent three years in a prison labor camp.  There is so much I learned from their story.  One thing he clearly illustrated is how we are all one church.  If one part suffers, the whole body suffers.  I went on Voice of the Martyrs at http://www.persecution.com/.  I was surprised about how widespread modern persecution is.

Next was Jesus Freak.  I had seen Tobymac and Newsboys in concert many times.  I love their music!  I had no idea DC Talk was involved with this book.  It is a collection of personal stories of people who risked their lives for their faith in Jesus Christ.  My hunger grew.  The day I finished that book a friend of my mom’s unexpectedly sent over a book for me, Hearts of Fire by Voice of the Martyrs .  She had heard I was interested in learning about the persecuted church.  God kept sending me books, I could feel it.  I just kept following the path of books.  My heart for my brothers and sisters in Christ continued to grow.

I want to use this blog to collect and share information about our brothers and sisters who are suffering for the name of Christ.  Sitting here in my cozy home with my family, my heart is heavy for them.

They have found the treasure and given up everything for it.   I continually lift them up in my prayers.
Matthew 13:44
[ The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl ] “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. (NIV)

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