Tag: Scripture

The Cost

Hearts Not Forgotten2 Comments

Matthew 13:44-47 New International Version (NIV)

44 “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.

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

This is one of my favorite Scriptures.

  Knowing Jesus and having a personal relationship with Him is the greatest treasure, nothing else can compare.  When we have a personal relationship with Jesus we have found the treasure in the field, we have found the pearl of great value.

Rend Collective is one of my favorite bands.

They are a Northern Irish Christian experimental, folk rock band.  I came across one of their songs “The Cost” from their album Homemade Worship by Homemade People.  Open Doors used this song in a beautiful video they made about Christians facing persecution around the world.  Christians are laying down their lives and continuing to choose Jesus.

“The Cost”

I’m saying yes to You
And no to my desires
I’ll leave myself behind
And follow You

I’ll walk the narrow road
’cause it leads me to You
I’ll fall but grace
Will pick me up again

I’ve counted up the cost
Oh I’ve counted up the cost
Yes I’ve counted up the cost
And You are worth it

I do not need safety
As much as I need You
You’re dangerous
But Lord You’re beautiful

I’ll chase You through the pain
I’ll carry my cross
’cause real love
Is not afraid to bleed

Jesus
Take my all
Take my everything

I’ve counted up the cost
And You’re worth everything

Here’s the link for the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaX4Rv02CGk

Philippians 1:20-26 New International Version (NIV)

20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

God Bless,

Shae

Treasured Bread

Hearts Not ForgottenLeave a comment

How many Bibles do you own?  How many are in your home?

In countries where it is illegal to own a Bible, believers spend hours at a time hand copying scripture.  Many churches and pastors don’t have Bibles, often a Bible is passed among believers.  In the short amount of time they may have with it, they copy and memorize as much as they can.  In some cases, people’s hands become disfigured from years of hand copying the Bible.

Here is Ling’s testimony from China, http://www.kidsofcourage.com/?p=3307.  I read her story in Hearts Of Fire published by The Voice of the Martyrs.  Ling’s story illustrates how rare and precious Bible’s are in some parts of China.  I admire the way Ling put her whole life in God’s hands as she walked from village to village sharing Jesus.

Matthew 4:4 New Living Translation (NLT)

4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[a]”

There is a great need for Bibles.

This is a video from International Christian Concern of Christians in China receiving Bibles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkXDcdMNE-I&feature=youtu.be

Here are a few ways to help:

– Pray “Never stop praying” -1 Thessalonians 5:17

– Bibles Unbound http://www.biblesunbound.com/qry/mc_home.taf

– Get the word out.

– Gather a small group together to pray for persecuted Christians around the world.  Pray that they would receive God’s Word and Bibles.

– In solidarity, hand copy your favorite passages from the Bible, the New Testament, letters from Paul, or just one book of the Bible, to remember the persecuted.

At Randy Alcorn’s website, Eternal Perspective Ministries., he shares about a woman who wrote to him about hand copying the Bible as a devotion.  She was inspired after reading about believers, hand copying a Bible, in his book about the Underground Church in China, Safely Home.  http://www.epm.org/blog/2014/May/26/handcopied-bible

Hebrews 13:3 New Living Translation (NLT)

3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.