Revive Magazine - March 2012 by Be the Domino Ministries

March 2012

This Month’s Issue Interview: Kasi Nicole

Prayer Focus:

Saudi Arabia

Articles:

Joy Unspeakable

How Wide…How Long… How High…How Deep? A Call to Love

Editor’s Note

Content

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Revive

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Direction

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Editor’s Note Working on design ideas for an online magazine can be a very overwhelming task. This is the third official issue of Revive and my prayer is that with each issue the content improves, the design improves, but most importantly that the material in this e-magazine will inspire you to pursue Christ. Ultimately that’s all that really matters. Pursuing Christ.

Content Direction Current Events

Page one talks about a struggle for direction, something that I think we all battle at times.

Just some food for thought, this month. - Whitt Madden

4-5 6-13

A Call to Love

14-15

How Wide… How Long… How High… How Deep?

Watch & Pray CURE Open Doors Food For the Poor Gospel for Asia Joshua Project Operation World

I admit that I, like most men struggle with asking for directions. We’re men! We should be able to just figure it out! There’s noth- Enduring Stories ing worse for me to be miles off course, and have to stop and ask Revive for directions. What is more dangerous though? We all have a tendency to get off course at times, but what if we are too proud to stop and ask for direction? Knowing we are off course and forging ahead anyways can be an incredibly dangerous place to be spiritually.

1 Oswald Chambers writes “True

Featured Interview

Magazines can look nice, and have Joy Unspeakable pretty pictures, nice typography, but if that’s all I’ve succeeded in doing, then I’ve missed the point. In a Blur Direction.

True Surrender

16-18 20-21

surrender will always go beyond natural devotion. If we will only give up, God will surrender Himself to embrace all those around us and will meet their needs, which were created by our surrender. Beware of stopping anywhere short of total surrender to God. Most of us have only a vision of what this really means, but have never truly experienced it.” Surrender always seems to go with obedience. We cannot surrender if we are not obedient. If we walk by the Spirit we will al-

22-23 ways struggle against the flesh. 25 26 27 28 29 30-31 32-35 36-39

The questions we need to be asking ourselves are what I’d like to call digging tools. Most people don’t like to dig, because they are afraid of what they might dig up, but in order to truly surrender there are some things in our lives that we must examine. I believe that we all have something in our lives that we know is either unhealthy for us, or for those around us, and we are holding onto it tightly.

Book of Martyrs

40-41

Puritan Vision

42-43 What are these things? Why are

we holding on to them? What is coming between us and surrender of our will over to His? Looks like I’ve got some digging to do myself this month.

Current Events Pray for Youcef Nadarkhani Violence in Syria Continues Tensions Could Lead to War Present Truth Ministries has reported the Iranian Chief Justice, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, has ordered the local judiciary in Lakan province to not deliver a verdict until the end of 2012. Ultimately, the Iranian government would like Christians and the international community to forget about Youcef so that they can secretly execute him. We cannot let that happen.

The Red Cross implored the Syrian regime and others engulfed in fighting to halt so it can distribute help to hungry, frightened and injured civilians. The ICRC has been trying to negotiate a cease-fire between Syrian authorities and the opposition so the humanitarian agency can deliver food and medical supplies to Homs and other places.

“The current situation requires A few people have asked, an immediate decision to implewhat can I do to help Youcef? ment a humanitarian pause in the fighting,” said ICRC PresiYou can pray for his faith to dent Jakob Kellenberger. stay strong and for God to move in his life every day. “In Homs and in other affected areas, entire families have You can help support his family. been stuck for days in their homes, unable to step outside You can tweet for Youcef here to get bread, other food or water, or to obtain medical care.” You can share this and other posts on Facebook, keeping your friends He added, ‘’Over the past few days, and family up to date on Youcef. we have been in contact with the Syrian authorities and members of You can also contact your lo- the opposition to request this halt cal Congressman or MP to ask in the fighting. It should last at that the State Department or least two hours every day, so that Foreign Ministry to take immedi- ICRC staff and Syrian Arab Red ate action on behalf of Youcef. Crescent volunteers have enough time to deliver aid and evacuFirst and foremost this is a spiri- ate the wounded and the sick.” tual battle against the devil. He is doing everything he can to stop The plea comes as security forcthe work of God and the Gospel es pounded restive areas such going deeper into a land of dark- as Homs and that city’s defiant ness. Youcef, his family and the Baba Amr neighborhood and church in Iran need your prayers. staged raids in other hot spots. Don’t

forget

our

In the face of economic sanctions and international condemnation, Iran remains defiant over its nuclear energy program. It has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a major passageway for much of the world’s oil, in retaliation for any embargo. And it has vowed to punish the United States and Israel, accusing them of being connected to the recent assassinations of some Iranian nuclear scientists. U.S. and Israeli officials have denied having anything to do with the mysterious killings, but they’re not backing down on their hard-line stance. “I think there is consensus now in most of the capitals of the world that Iran should not be allowed to turn into a military nuclear power,” Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Saturday. “There is a consensus, at least in the West and North America, that no option should be removed off the table in regard to dealing with the threat. We feel the same.” Tehran insists it’s pursuing nuclear energy for civilian purposes, not for military use. The U.S. and its allies aren’t buying it. Last month, Obama’s former national security adviser said he thought this could be the year that things finally come to a head.

brother.

Current Events Jury

Selection

Begin Pastor Dies 5 Months Later Religious Freedom Urged

PHILADELPHIA- A criminal trial in the Philadelphia Catholic Archdiocese pedophilia scandal gets underway on Tuesday, a case likely to be watched closely as one defendant is the first high-ranking U.S. cleric to go to trial in a child sex abuse case.

LAKELAND, Fla.—Prosecutors are awaiting the results of an autopsy on the body of a Florida pastor found dead in his home last week, five months after he was seriously wounded in a shooting at a church.

ANKARA, Turkey -- The spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians says Turkey’s new constitution should grant greater religious freedom to the country’s minority groups.

The Ledger of Lakeland (http://bit. ly/yNXxmt) reports that prosecuSelection of a jury to hear child tors will use the results to determine endangerment charges against whether to file murder charges Monsignor William Lynn and against 57-year-old Jeremiah Fogle. more severe sex abuse charges against two others is set to Polk County Sheriff’s officials have begin in Common Pleas Court. previously accused Fogle of killing his wife before heading to While Lynn is not charged with the Greater Faith Christian Censex abuse, the others on trial - ter Church and shooting the Rev. - one priest and one defrocked Carl Stewart and another pastor, priest -- are accused of sexu- who was injured but survived and ally abusing children between has since returned to the pulpit. 1996 and 1999. Another priest and a former archdiocese Authorities say a friend became school teacher facing sex abuse worried last week after he hadn’t charges will be tried separately. heard from Stewart. The friend found the 65-year-old dead. The case not only puts a harsh spotlight on the Philadelphia Christian Forced From Job Archdiocese, the nation’s sixth asked to Work on Sundays largest with 1.5 million adherents, but is worthy of attention Celestina Mba claims that the from the Vatican, given Lynn’s council she worked for pressured rank as the highest U.S. church her to work on Sundays and threatofficial to go to trial, experts say. ened her with disciplinary measures - even though other work“This is cause for major anxiers were willing to take the shifts. ety in the church,” said Terry McKiernan, co-director of BishRead more about this on opAccountability.org, a watchthe Church Report website. dog group. “Certainly this will be watched at the Vatican. This is very worrisome to them.”

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I met Monday with members of a parliamentary subcommittee seeking an allparty consensus for a new constitution, which will replace the one ratified in 1982 while the country was under military rule. Mostly Muslim Turkey has small Christian and Jewish communities. Bartholomew told reporters he favors a constitution that promotes equal rights and religious freedoms, including the reopening of a Greek Orthodox seminary that trained generations of patriarchs.

Fe In a te t u rv re ie d w

Kasi Nicole

A woman came to me with eyes like waterfalls saying, “Since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of the day that I’d fall in love. The day a man would truly love me and hold me when I cry. I’d fall asleep to his heartbeat. He’d pass by wildflowers on his travels and they’d remind him of my eyes and the smile he said he couldn’t live without. I’d be safe in his arms forever… He’d promise promise. But now I’ve grown old, and no one’s there when I cry. I go to bed alone at night with nothing more than blankets to keep me warm. I pass by wildflowers on my travels and they remind me of what could have been. I’m only safe forever because I’ve learned to lock the door.” I smiled through her tears, unsure of what to say. And my God, He smiled through my uncertainty and whispered boldly in my ear, “Speak.” “Why would you think that no one loves you? What good is a man who says he’d die for you, when you have the One who already did? While still you marveled at imperfection, He proved His perfect love (Romans 5:8). He’s gone Home to the magnificent house of the Father “to prepare a place for you,” as he speaks the words the man you’ve built castles around would, “‘I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am.’ (John 14:1-3) “I promise I promise.”

Kasi Nicole Ephesians 4:1 says to “live a life worthy of the calling which you have received.”. Kasi Nicole asks the world a very important question: “How are you going to anything effectively, if you aren’t living above reproach?” Kasi Nicole is a voice for a generation who is desperate for something true and something real. As a girl who once struggled with self-worth, she has discovered her identity is in Christ, and her hope in this broken world can only be found in the person of Jesus. “Be imitators of God, Walk in Love” has become a message that stays close to her heart, as she speaks to a group of people the world considers to be outcasts. Kasi’s word for them, wrapped between lines of poetry and Scripture, is one of Hope in the midst of the brokenness and pain that permeates through the lives of so many people, who need to know the love of Jesus. Her desire for others to see themselves the way that Christ sees them, and come to know Him as Savior and Treasure. “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44) This is the verse that comes to mind as I reflect on our conversations a couple of months ago. I was introduced to Kasi through a friend of mine via email a few months ago. I had watched a few of her videos online and began to pray about how to approach this feature article. I was reading some of her bio on Facebook, and came across this:

“From the moment I was born, my life was not my own. It’s hard to bite your nails when your hands in the hands of the Father.”

Bottom line? I’m Kasi Nicole, but I no longer exist. He exists within me

You see, Kasi is someone who has anxiety attacks and struggles with biting her nails, so that speaks volumes to me. As we began to exchange emails back and forth, I discovered someone who was very passionate about one thing: Making the name of Jesus known. Kasi says...

“Bottom line? I’m Kasi Nicole, but I no longer exist. He exists within me.” Here is Kasi’s story.

Bottom line? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Kasi Nicole, but I no longer exist. He exists within me

Kasi Nicole Tell us a little about yourself Kasi.

I told David, my best friend and TKC’s drummer/ founder, next. Before I knew it, I was doing all the Let’s see… Well to make a long story short, I grew up marketing/PR work for Thy Kingdom Come and it going to church. My dad felt very strongly about his quickly became more important to me than my salon girls being brought up in a Christian environment. My job or any hair related dream. mom, on the other hand, always told us we shouldn’t go or want to. But I always felt drawn to being at I still struggled with the thought of telling large groups of people, or anyone I didn’t know about my church anyway. past. I knew what God wanted, but I was terrified. When I was 16 my dad passed away. I was so mad That winter I finally gave in and asked to share my at God for taking him from me and I stopped going testimony at the service. It was like a weigh had been to church. But I never stopped believing… I always lifted. And in April 2011 (exactly year from first talking knew He was there, I just wished He wasn’t. My boy- about it) I spoke at the service. The video from that friend at the time had been very emotionally abusive sermon in up on YouTube. And suddenly it wasn’t but after my dad died he became physically abusive about me anymore. I didn’t care who knew MY name, too. That went on for about the next year or so, and I wanted everyone to know His name. I want people to know me, so that I can tell them about Him. honestly, I’m very lucky to be alive. After that I got asked to speak in other places. Festivals and coffee shops. I gained more and more responsibility at TKC and became the associate pastor. I had been reading my Bible more and more, Sam (also from ITMOL) and I had become very close friends as well and were constantly having theological discussions and through him I met people that live somewhat close to me that and some of the strongest Christians I’ve ever known. God’s choreography! (: With all my new knowledge and support I knew in my heart that God wanted me to turn my system in place, I felt called to leave the service and experiences into something beautiful, something pursue my speaking. So October 30th was my last that could help and save lives. But I just wanted to day as leadership in TKC. forget, so I refused… For years. About the time I had started making appearances at church again (late Believe it or not, that does make a long story short, 2009), my friends there started a worship service even though this is still probably the longest email called Thy Kingdom Come. That was my breaking ever haha. Other than that, umm.. I’m 22. Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. My step brother is point into ministry. the worship leader at a church here, and my uncle In April 2010, In the Midst of Lions played at the is a pastor in another city. I love it – its like a family church with other Facedown bands. Over the next thing. few days after the show I spent a lot of time talking to their vocalist about almost anything and every- Does that help? thing. We became really good friends. I still have no idea what made me do this, but I told him all about my past. (At this point, not even my church friends knew about it) I suddenly felt at peace about it, and more willing to tell people. When I got out of that (late 2007) my whole world became about me. I stopped talking to everyone I had any connection to in high school. None of my new friends knew anything about it. I hid every detail of my past so none of them really knew me. I went to cosmetology school and my plan was to become a platform artist and travel the world. I wanted everyone to know MY name and how amazing I was. God had different plans.

Kasi Nicole That’s a great place to start! Thank you so much. So what have been some of the responses that you’ve received from sharing your testimony with others? My favorite response was from a 15 year old girl at one the festivals I did. After I got off stage so came running to me in tears. She told me she was going through something similar. I hugged her and we talked for a while. A guy named Randy, who’s a promoter here in Corpus, was in the tent with me when she came up and was listening in. Later on, he goes “I’m proud of you for how you handled that. I’ve worked with a lot of the big contemporary bands and when people come to them like that, needing prayer or whatever, they don’t wanna do it.” Umm, but everyone seems to receive it very well. I see a lot of people cry, tell me that I’m brave or that I have an amazing gift. No ones ever had a negative response to it. One old woman, who looked very cross and mean, smiled after and told the owner of the coffee shop I was at that hearing me was the most fun she’s ever had.

What are some of the struggles you’ve experienced in ministry? One constant struggle for me is definitely my family, unfortunately. My mom tells me constantly that my ministry is stupid, and that no one enjoys hearing me speak or believes anything I say about God. Its hard to keep your head up when someone is telling you that so often. I do believe that as a leader, I’m held to a higher standard. That goes for anyone in leadership of a ministry. So I try hard to really live up to that and up to my calling. I take being a leader or role model very seriously and that means giving up a lot of things, which is hard for me but I’m determined to do it. Whenever I do happen to slip up, even the slightest bit, I’m very, very hard on myself about it. I don’t let me get away with anything haha. But, uh, there are people that aren’t my friends anymore because of it, I’ve had to leave jobs etc.

Kasi Nicole I feel like this is my paragraph where I get to complain haha. But honestly, I try not to look at the struggles because when it comes down to it I know He’s gonna take care of me no matter what. And the good, always outweighs the bad.

You don’t realize how much of an impact you have on people and that something you did could cause something even greater. And any little role you play in that is amazing.

The other day at work a man named Jay Bailey came Who have been some of the biggest influenc- to the salon. He’s involved in ministry also, and we’ve become friends since his first salon visit. But this day, es in your life spiritually? I was really frustrated but he came in and we talked about God and my separation from TKC and the deMy old pastor, John Elford, for one. When I started tails of that. When he left, I was no longer frustratgoing back to church he organized a night for me , ed. and another cosmetologist at the church, to go to a homeless shelter and do the people’s hair there. It I was re-inspired and ready to go. Later that day anwas my first real ministry “task” and it meant a lot other woman came in who I had worked on before. to me that he still believed in me enough to give me She was battling depression and told me about her that opportunity when a lot of other people didn’t. problems. She and I talked about God and His love When I first gave my testimony he asked me, “What for her. When she left she was very cheery, looking would you have said if someone told you 5 years ago, forward to picking up her daughter from school and that you’d be giving sermons?” I was like, “I would of spending time with her that evening. thought they were stupid.” He lives in Austin now, but every time something happens as far as my min- That was a domino effect. God knew that woman istry I always think “I have to tell Pastor John!!” Mat- was going to come to me and that I would help her. tie Montgomery, from For Today, would probably But He also knew I was gonna need some back up be one also. I love that when he speaks in between that day to do it. And everything fell perfectly into songs at their shows there’s always this power to his place. words. You really feel his passion for what he does and its always moving. I really hope that people get Thank you so much Kasi for taking the time that from my words as well.

to answer these questions!

I’ve seen Mattie several times so I definitely For more information about Kasi, please visit understand where you are coming from. the following links. He’s amazing. I met him briefly earlier this year. His passion is incredible. And I love The Glorious Unseen! That’s what’s been in my stereo for months! Haha

http://www.facebook.com/KasiNicoleOfficial http://www.twitter.com/TheKasiNicole http://www.youtube.com/TheKasiNicole

One last question. “Be the domino God uses to touch the lives of others.” what does that mean for you personally? Its all the little ways that you effect the people around you, sometimes without even realizing it.

http://thekasinicole.tumblr.com/

A Call to Love Written by: Jason Belcher Jesus emphasized over and over again that the most important thing or doctrine that we should place over every other (the first and greatest commandment) is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbor as Christ has loved youâ&#x20AC;?.

A Call to Love We have all heard that our entire lives growing up in church. It seems like a no-brainier, most people think they get it. I don’t think we get it at all. This is a call to live out unconditional love. A love that is not held back by different doctrines or belief systems. Jesus’ love is not based upon your performance or how correct your theology is. He loves because it is who He is and He has called us to do the same to the world around us. Imagine for a moment that churches loved each other like they love and show kindness to their own denomination. If we are called to love and bless our enemies, surely you would expect that we are meant to bless our own brothers. Jesus said “if you hate your brother you live in death”. Far out! I think there are a lot of people living in a place of death. I think much of the body of Christ right now is living in death and proud to have nothing to do with ‘the deceived ones’. And that is the sad thing because Jesus wants everything to do with his kids, even if they don’t have it all figured out.

But at the end of the day, the pursuit of knowledge and truth does not take away from the first and greatest commandment…. To LOVE. 1 Corinthians 13:2 says If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. The Lord is saying, through Paul here, that knowledge with out love is meaningless. Even if you fathom all mysteries (if you have the understanding of God himself) and do not love like we have been called to…. If love isn’t our priority. We are nothing…. Harsh? I don’t think so. I think it is just a reflection of God’s priority to love his creation and for us as believers to do the same..

For so long the church has been focused on being right, fathoming the mysteries, understanding prophecy eg. End times. This has lead to many church splits and much division. Imagine, if the doctrine… the truth that we held closest to us was the one that I’m glad Jesus didn’t hold me at arms length until my Jesus told us to….The call and responsibility of the theology was straightened out. He embraced me at believer to show unconditional love. day one, and his love has continued to shape me and mold me for the last 10 years and we are called to do How awesome would it be if the Church was known the same. for its love for one another like Jesus prayed. I didn’t see him praying that the church would be known for Why do churches split? Denominations divide? its correct eschatology, doctrine or theology. Disagreements over theology, people struggling with human nature (sin) etc. We are called to unconditional love and to bless even our enemies. Love to our brothers should be unchanged even if they have different thoughts on the end times, gay marriage, or whatever else. “Jase, you are a post modernist” you may think… nope not true. I believe in absolute truth, and He is Jesus and he’s called me to love unconditionally. The responsibility is to love no matter what theology others hold. Is truth important? Yes truth is to be pursued, that is Jesus.

At the end of the day… pursue Jesus the truth, pursue wisdom, pursue knowledge and the mysteries of scripture. Make sure to hold unconditional love of people that believe and think differently than you, higher than your own opinions on who God is and how he operates. Love like crazy and that will change the world. This article was originally published on the Ember Days website.

How Wide…How Long…How High…How Deep? Written By: Kevin McMahan How does one begin to describe God’s love for us? If you are a parent, how would you describe your love for your child? We might say, “I’d do anything for her”, or “I’d give my life to save his.” Our thoughts begin and end with that child, and revolve around them throughout the day. We marvel at those first steps. We record the first words. We stay up all night and tend the fever, the stuffy nose, the strep throat, and the earache.

How Wide…How Long…How High…How Deep? We sit in the waiting room, praying and anxiously waiting, while the doctor diagnoses the broken hand, broken arm or the broken leg. We skip something we want/ need to get that one thing they want. We teach, we counsel, and we discipline. We know the discipline is necessary but it hurts us worse than it does them. Maybe you aren’t a parent. But maybe you saw all those things through the eyes of the child. Maybe you didn’t. Maybe you never experienced that love, either as a parent or as a child. I didn’t experience that kind of loss and can’t totally identify with that hole in your heart. I am sure that God knows that feeling and that He has a plan to fill that hole with His love, with His Son Jesus Christ, and with the Holy Spirit. What about God’s love for His children? Do we need any more evidence than He sent His only Son to take our place on the cross?

promise to Abraham belongs to you. (Galatians 3:29 NLT) The Way that God provided was to offer adoption to each and every one of us. Not only saved, but made God’s own children and heirs to His promises. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1a NLT) “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17) Once we accept these truths, then doesn’t it make sense that God’s love for us is infinite? After going to such lengths and bearing such a cost to save us, is there anything He won’t do for us? Thinking back to the parent and the child, does your parental love have a limit?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not per- Of course not! ish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV) “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave “God showed how much he loved us by sending his him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything one and only Son into the world so that we might else?” (Romans 8:32 NLT) have eternal life through Him.” (1 John 4:9 NLT) Two of my favorite scriptures that show God’s love And He did so even though we were totally unwor- for us are from Isaiah and from Matthew. Think thy. Jesus came and Jesus died for sinners. No mat- about your name written on the palms of God’s ter what the sin, no matter how frequent the sin, His hands. Think about the care of the loving Father that death provided a Way for each of us to reconcile with has counted every hair on your head. God. There is nothing you can do, nothing you could have ever done, for which Jesus’ death on the Cross “See, I have written your name on the palms of my doesn’t cover. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He hands.” (Isaiah 49:16 NLT) meant it. “And even the very hairs of your head are all num“But God showed his great love for us by sending bered.” (Matthew 10:30 NIV) Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (RoTo build His church, to seek unity, to be as “one body”, mans 5:8 NLT) God tells us to love others just as He has loved us. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s )

How Wide…How Long…How High…How Deep? I find that incredibly convicting. I’m so far from living out that command. Asking the Lord to break my heart for this commandment, that by my love, I would be recognized as a disciple of Jesus. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) God wants us to know His character, including His love. If we get in the Word and stay in the Word, and Kevin McMahan is a follower of Jesus Christ, a volunif we communicate often through prayer, we can teer for Open Doors USA, and a partner of Federal Practice Group. He blogs at “breadcrumbs for the claim His promises that we can know. journey” on matters of faith and his Christian walk. “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19 NLT) “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” (Proverbs 8:17) Let’s give thanks to our Heavenly Father, whose love for each of us is unconditional, knows no bounds, and has no ends. God doesn’t change and He is faithful.

Kevin’s work is about preserving and improving low income multifamily housing nationwide. In his ministry he travels throughout the country, increasing awareness of the persecuted church and what we can learn from it. He and his wife Sandi are members of Journey Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Kevin leads the Administration ministry, Sandi leads the Journey Kids ministry, and they host a weekly homegroup in their home.

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“Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast Breadcrumbs for the Journey love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:26) Asking, Seeking, Knocking (Mt 7:7)

OpenDoors USA

Kevin

How Wide…How Long…How High…How Deep? The Way that God provided was to offer adoption to each and every one of us. Not only saved, but made God’s own children and heirs to His promises. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1a NLT) “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17) Once we accept these truths, then doesn’t it make sense that God’s love for us is infinite? After going to such lengths and bearing such a cost to save us, is there anything He won’t do for us? Thinking back to the parent and the child, does your parental love have a limit? Of course not! “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32 NLT) Two of my favorite scriptures that show God’s love for us are from Isaiah and from Matthew. Think about your name written on the palms of God’s The Resolution for Men hands. Think about the care of the loving Father that by Stephen and Alex Kendrick has counted every hair on your head.

“A man beyour passive “See, I cannot have written name onabout the palmswhat of my hands.” (Isaiah 49:16 NLT) Scripture tells him to do for his family and expect tothe bevery found faithful in “And even hairs of your headto areGod all numbered.” (Matthew 10:30 NIV) the end. He must see with spiritual eyes andTorealize future are build Histhat church, to seekgenerations unity, to be as “one body”, God tells us to love others just as He has loved directly impacted by his daily decisions.” us. I find that incredibly convicting. I’m so far from The Resolution fortoMen living out that command. Asking the Lord break my heart for this commandment, that by my love, I would be recognized as a disciple of Jesus.

Joy Unspeakable

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Written by: Whitt Madden

God wants us to know His character, including His love. If we get in the Word and stay in the Word, and Kevin McMahan is a follower of Jesus Christ, a volunif we communicate often through prayer, we can teer for Open Doors USA, and a partner of Federal Practice Group. He blogs at “breadcrumbs for the claim His promises that we can know. journey” on matters of faith and his Christian walk. “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19 NLT) “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” (Proverbs 8:17) Let’s give thanks to our Heavenly Father, whose love for each of us is unconditional, knows no bounds, and has no ends. God doesn’t change and He is faithful.

Links for Kevin Email Facebook Twitter

“Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast Breadcrumbs for the Journey love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:26) Asking, Seeking, Knocking (Mt 7:7)

OpenDoors USA

Kevin

Joy Unspeakable Every breathe is a gift from God that renews and restores you.

work within us, that the Son of God, Jesus is more than anything we can imagine. Don’t ask yourself if you believe in God. Even the demons believe, you would do well to do so. Ask yourself this question instead…

“Whoever has the Son has life” (1 John 5:12)

Is Jesus Christ your treasure?

It’s more than just about perspective, it’s a revelation from the Spirit of God. Every breathe was given to you by God as a gift to restore and renew. If you have breathe, then God has a purpose in it for you. Breathing is something you do without thinking about it. Jesus gives life. He gives us life for a purpose. People struggle day to day with the burning question buried deep within the recesses of their hearts.

Do you treasure Him above anything and everything else? Does joy overflow in your heart at the mention of His name? For what does it mean to believe in God, if He isn’t treasured in your life? Is Christ the love of your life?

They hear that God has a plan for them, but they are unsure what that plan is or how they even fit into that plan. It is not the arguments of theologians and great thinkers that solve the problems of a questioning heart, but the cry of that heart to God and the certainty that He has heard. What’s the meaning, the purpose, the goal of this thing that we call life?

If all of our attention was focused on Christ, not on what others thought, what would that do for our relationships?

The point of our lives is to point to Him.

In everything that we do, everything that we say, and in everything that we are. The core of who we are is What is my purpose? to be His. Can we treasure Him without it showing? If Christ truly is the center of our lives, people will They will attempt and try many things during their notice. They will be forced to respond. They have a lifetime to try to grasp and understand this purpose. choice to choose or reject what they see, and if we Many great thinkers will contemplate what is the are not careful we can lose focus of the things that meaning of life, and many will often miss the mark. really matter.

Quite simply, the point of our lives is to point to Him. Our lives should reflect His. Our Lord, our Savior. But not just Lord and Savior. The world will tell you that it “believes in God” but what exactly does that mean? It’s more than just about perspective, it’s a revelation from the Spirit of God to receive Christ as more than just a ticket into Heaven. Only God gives us this revelation by the power of the Spirit at

People are often hesitant where God is leading them in fear that He will call them to go somewhere that they don’t want to go, or do something they don’t want to do, but if your focus is on Christ… If your focus is on Christ, and He is your treasure, His desires will become your desires. He is the very reason you have breathe. There will be nothing to fear. That fear will soon be replaced by the words of our loving Father as He whispers into our lives..

“I am leading you. Fear nothing. Hope Always. Look to Me”

How Wide…How Long…How High…How Deep?

In a blur

Blurry: To lessen the perception of. Most of the time I go through my day seeing people just like this. In fact there are days whenever everything seems to go by in a blur. Ever had days like that? You get up ready to start your day, and the next thing you know, it’s time for bed. You wonder where your day went, it all seemed to pass by in a blur. 22

In a blur Something that God has taught, and continues to teach me about is focus. Where is my focus? What am I focused on? I have to constantly ask myself these questions. Am I focused on Christ? Or am I focused on my situation or my circumstance?

That passage always reminds me of where my focus needs to be. I have a tendency to focus more on my past mistakes, maybe you do too? You might be totally and completely consumed by something else that is taking your focus away from Christ.

God has something very specific in His Word to say This past week has been a blur. Spiritually speakabout our focus. ing, my wife and I have not connected very well. It wasn’t until just last night that the enemy was stealLet your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze ing our focus. We hadn’t prayed together, like we be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; were, I hadn’t been reading the Bible as I normally then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the do, we were caught up in the day to day junk that can right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. sometimes steal our focus. At the end of the day, we (Proverbs 4:25-27) were both exhausted, and by the end of this week it had all been a blur. Let your eyes look directly forward. Don’t look to the right or left, watch your feet, turn away from evil. So This morning was the first morning I got up as earmany times in my life do I see my gaze shifting to the ly as I needed to. I was determined to be focused. right or left, it doesn’t take much to get off center. 10 minutes later, and 9 tabs open on my browser, I closed out everything. Fix them straight ahead. Looking to Christ. Focus on the cross. “God give me focus” was my prayer. “Let me see the things that You want me to see today. Open my spirPaul had a thing or two to say about this as well. One itual eyes this morning to see the things today that of my favorites is in the book of Philippians. You want to be my focus.” Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

Today, let’s forget about what lies behind us. Let our gaze be fixed straight, not to the left or to the right, but on Christ. Treasure Him above anything else that You do today. God is speaking to your heart today, and He is trying to tell you something…

“Free your mind of worry. My spirit

What was Paul saying here? He wasn’t telling everybody that he had it all together. That much he made within you brings freedom. clear right off the bat. He is saying “Hey I don’t have Live fully and freely today.” everything figured out, and I’m not perfect, but I am pressing onward, because I am in Christ.” His focus? Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to Those are the words that He is speaking to me. Live what lies ahead. Do you think that Paul was looking fully and freely. Experience Joy as only He can give. to the left or the right, or do you think his gaze was fixed on Christ? Fix your gaze on Him.

Watch and Pray

How Wide…How Long…How High…How Deep?

CURE International Kevin has cerebral palsy, and two conditions that he has because of this is a stiff foot and a stiff wrist. His foot has been operated already and he is walking much better. It’s now time for him to have surgery on his hand because as it is, he cannot move it and it is in a nonfunctional position. His hand will never be completely normal as the other one is, although with surgery it will be immensely better. It is always an encouragement to see Kevin and his mom come to clinic for checkups. Although she is a single mom and Kevin has multiple heath conditions, there is always a smile on both of their faces and she is always giving thanks to God for the health that her son has. It is clear that even though there are struggles, God is the source of their peace and joy and they are surely thankful for the treatment that CURE is providing to change Kevin’s life.

About CURE More than 100 million physically disabled children in the developing world can be cured through surgery. These children have conditions like clubfoot, bowed legs, cleft lips, untreated burns, and hydrocephalus. Without care, they won’t go to school, will have little hope for a future, and many will die from their condition.

Kevin Aaron Contreras Condition: a hand deformity Country: Honduras Age: 16 years old Appointment: 03/22/2012

CURE’s mission is to bring 100% physical and spiritual healing to these children. CURE is a non-profit organization that operates hospitals and programs in 20 countries around the world where patients experience the life-changing message of God’s love for them, receiving surgical treatment regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, or ability to pay. Since CURE’s first hospital opened in Kenya in 1998, we have seen over 1.6 million patients, provided over 128,000 life-changing surgeries, and trained over 5,200 medical professionals. Visit cure.org for more information.

Open Doors

World Watch List

Front Line Faith

#3 Saudi Arabia

The #1 request from persecuted Christians is — not for comfort and escape — but for others to stand in prayer with them.

Leader: King Abdullah Govt: Monarchy “Prayer is the most important, powerful, exciting and Main Religion: Islam Population: 28 million dynamic weapon that we as Christians can wield.” Carl Moeller, President/CEO Open Doors USA ( 1.25 million Christians) Indonesia: The prayer gathering in Sumatra, There is no freedom of religion here. The legal syswhich Open Doors sponsors, is increasingly becomtem is based on Islamic law and conversion to anothing ablessing for workers in the area. This annual er religion is punishable by death if the accused does event becomes a venue for the workers to pour out not recant. Non-Muslim public worship is prohibited, their hearts to one another, receive encouragement and although the government recognizes the right and celebrate successes together. of non-Muslims to worship privately, the religious police often do not. Pray for these workers who are scattered in the 53 tribes in Sumatrato be clothed with God’s power and Worshippers risk imprisonment, deportation and torprotection as they carry out their ministries. ture. Most Christians are poorly paid foreign workers who are vulnerable to violence because of their “Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be faith. Two Indian believers were imprisoned in Januafraid of the people of the land, because we will deary 2011 for ‘converting Muslims to Christianity’. vour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” (Num. 14:9) Pray: Tina (not her real name), aMuslim-background Thank God for Christians showing a new boldness in believer, is helping her son-in-law, who once sharing their faith pressured her to return to Islam, by giving him money when he is in need. According to her spiritual menPraise Him that the number of Christian converts tor, Tina also leads an MBB gathering in her neighborfrom Islam is increasing hood. Thank God for Tina’s life and pray that others will get to know God through her life. For converts from Muslim backgrounds who risk being killed by their families. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (1 John 5:11) Did you know? The House of Representatives passed the Zakat ManSaudi Arabia is home to Mecca- the birthplace of Moagement Bill (Islamic mandatory alms) into law. It is hammed. Muslims from around the world make their hoped that this will play a greater role in Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life. supporting the government’s efforts to alleviate poverty. Pray that the Lord will intervene in every Oil makes up 90% of Saudi exports policy that the government makes; that the policies will be for the welfare of all citizens, regardless of Women are not allowed to have drivers licenses religious background

Food For the Poor COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Feb. 8, 2012) — Like the luminous reflection from a shiny pearl, Food For The Poor has been for three decades a ray of hope for the hungry, the destitute, and the abandoned in the Caribbean and Latin America. The ministry may have started out as a feeding program in Jamaica 30 years ago, but has since grown exponentially to become the largest international relief organization in the United States, with associated charities in Canada, Haiti, Guyana and Jamaica. The ministry, through its dedicated donors, has built more than 77,000 homes, sent more than 60,000 containers filled with essential goods to the 17 countries it serves, and has delivered more than $9 billion in aid since its inception. Optimistic about the challenges that lay ahead, Food For The Poor’s goal for 2012 is to build 12,000 homes, dig 1,200 water wells, and ship 1,200 containers of food to help the destitute.

In 1996, Food For The Poor expanded to begin serving the poor in Central America, specifically El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. In 2000, Robin Mahfood assumed the role of president. A year later, Food For The Poor’s first fishing village was built in Old Pera, Jamaica.

In 1985, the ministry built its first home for a family in Jamaica. In 1988, Food For The Poor responded to the needs of victims of Hurricane Gilbert on the island, drilled its first water well in Haiti in 1992, and three years later built its first school, the Ti Aiyti School in Cite Soleil.

For more information, please visit www.FoodForThePoor.org.

“The name of our organization has become somewhat of a misnomer because we do so much on behalf of the poor,” said Angel Aloma, Executive Director of Food For The Poor. “Since the very beginning, the goal of this ministry has been to teach and to provide those we serve with the necessary tools to support themselves, their families, and their communities.”

Food For The Poor is building homes, hospitals, schools, and community centers that provide technical training. The ministry has also implemented animal husbandry, agricultural and aquaculture projects in the countries it serves to help the poor generate “There are so many problems in the world, and dur- income. ing this time of economic chaos the truly poor are the ones who suffer the most; they’re often over- Food For The Poor immediately responded to the looked or simply forgotten,” said Robin Mahfood, devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti by shipping President/CEO of Food For The Poor. “For 30 years, food, water, medicines, water-filtration systems, we have responded to the cries of the poor. I am building supplies, tools and hygiene kits. Since the humbled by the reality that tens of thousands of tragedy, Food For The Poor has built or replaced a families are now being helped by this ministry. What dozen schools, installed 45 water filtration units, and a tremendous blessing.” built 2,681 homes. The organization is committed to long-term recovery efforts. Food For The Poor was founded by Ferdinand (Ferdy) Mahfood in 1982. He and his wife, Patti, traveled “Food For The Poor celebrated 25 years in Haiti in throughout the Caribbean working to bring relief to 2011. As we look toward the future, we will be there victims of poverty, disease and natural disasters. Fer- every step of the way providing gifts of hope, faith dy once told friends, “When I can be among Jesus’ and love, in order to help our brothers and sisters to poor, that is where I find the face of God.” rebuild their homeland,” said Mahfood.

Contact: Wanda Wright Food For The Poor Public Relations 954-427-2222 x 6079 wandaw@foodforthepoor.com

Gospel for Asia Pray for Asia’s Youth

Sunday School Ministry Threatened

Did you know that 40 percent of India’s 1 billion people are under the age of 18? The percentage is similar in Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and other countries where Gospel for Asia works.

Gajrup Kumar regularly conducts Sunday school in the village where he serves. Currently, there are nine children who attend, but that number might dwindle if he does not comply with the villagers’ demands.

Disease, hunger and loneliness stalk the teenagers of these countries, and GFA-supported missionaries know that they need the message of Jesus’ love just as much as their parents.

They are threatening to not allow their children to attend the Sunday school classes if the Gospel for Asiasupported pastor does not give offerings to their religious festivals or other big occasions.

Through obeying Jesus’ command to care for them, Pastor Gajrup refused to submit to their commands, these missionaries are reaching nearly half of that saying he will serve the living God only. society! Here’s how you can pray for the teenagers, and the missionaries reaching out to them. Because of Gajrup’s stance, the villagers have decided they will not attend any programs or events related to the church until Gajrup gives in. Pray for Health Risks South Asia has the world’s highest number of malnourished children. About 20 percent of all the childhood deaths in the world happen in one country—India. Worse still, the majority of these deaths could be prevented if the children had access to clean water and an understanding of proper hygiene practices, such as washing their hands. But most of society doesn’t really care that these children are dying because they come from the most neglected and vulnerable children in all the world—the Dalits (“Untouchable”).

Even in the midst of this opposition, the pastor continues the Sunday school with the support of the other six believers in the village.

Freedom from Bondage

God will use the Sunday school ministry to show the villagers His deep love for them.

Please pray: God will change the hearts of the villagers and the fellowship there will flourish. God will protect the pastor and the believers from harm and opposition.

Unthinkable evil await Asia’s young people as they journey from childhood to adulthood. Bonded labor and human trafficking are ever-present threats—especially for children who grow up on the streets. Other snares waiting to snatch them up include drug, alcohol and tobacco addictions.

Joshua Project

Dariganga of Mongolia

Bhotia, Buddhist Tibetan of India

The Dariganga love music, folk dances, chess, and sporting events. Every July, the ancient Naadam festival is celebrated throughout Mongolia. Sporting events are held in horse racing, archery, and wrestling. In the late 1500â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, the Mongols were introduced to Tibetan Buddhism, and most Mongols converted to Buddhism at that time. Today, a number of Dariganga have returned to the beliefs of their forefathers. Shamans are once again called upon to cure the sick or alleviate evil spirits through divination, oracles, and astrology.

Bhotia is a generic term used for several of the groups of people living in the foothills of the Himalayas. According to the 1981 census they have a literacy rate of 42%. The Bhotia intermarry with the Nepali, Garhwali and Kumaoni communities. They employ Nepali, Khas Rajput and Anwal as agricultural laborers and retain the services of Nepali, Kumaoni and Garh-wali Brahman priests. Ministry Obstacles Access to these people by outsiders is somewhat difficult, and they are deeply committed to their worldview.

Ministry Obstacles The Dariganga have a worldview very different from the Christian worldview. This is an obstacle to faith, Outreach Ideas but not an overwhelming obstacle. The Bhotia have a relatively high literacy rate, implying access to printed Scriptures and other materials Outreach Ideas may be especially helpful. Pray that Christian Mongolians of other tribes may be burdened to carry the Gospel message to the Pray for the followers of Christ Dariganga. They are concentrated around the town Pray for the Christian believers that will someday of Dariganga. emerge from this Buddhist people group, that even today the Lord is preparing pastors and teachers to Pray for the followers of Christ help them become established in the faith. The Lord is building His church in Mongolia, and exciting things are happening. Pray the followers of Je- Pray for the entire people group sus among the Dariganga will grow in numbers and Pray for the Bhotia: for good schools for their chilinfluence among their own people. dren, adequate health care, and employment opportunities.

Operation World

Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam. From Mecca, Islam holds sway over billions and permeates many cultures. Pray that the Lord would shake this center of spiritual influence and make His Lordship known. If a spiritual breakthrough glorifying Jesus Christ would happen here, it would transform Islam and those subject to it. All Muslims must pray towards Mecca five times daily. Yearly, over two million make the Hajj or pilgrimage, to Mecca, required of all Muslims once as one of the five pillars of Islam. This is the culmination of many people’s religious lives. Pray that many, as they go seeking God, might encounter the living Christ. Praise God that He is revealing Himself to the increasing numbers of hajis through dreams and visions. Saudi Arabia’s record on religious freedom and human rights is notorious and probably the world’s worst. Abuses occur through a corrupt judicial system and through the aggressive and ubiquitous religious police who operate with minimal accountability and without protest from the government. Christian and secular International bodies promoting equality and freedom of conscience regularly condemn Saudi practices. Pray for a greater recognition of human rights and religious freedoms.

Operation World The nation faces great stresses. Under increasing Pray Against the Spirit of Islam pressure, the aging leadership must walk the impossible path between those pushing for liberalization Pray ... and those demanding stricter Islamization. The following needs prayer: For freedom for Saudis to choose their own religion. There is only one officially recognized religion (Islam) Economics. Over-reliance on oil exports and foreign and conversion to any other religion is punishable by labor has taken its toll - the growing gap between execution. rich and poor, and widespread unemployment and discontent among the spoiled younger generation, Against the spirits of domination and control which often push them into the arms of extremism. The permeate the culture and laws surrounding all things Saudi-ization of the economy results in more difficult religious. These spirits seem to be strongly associatconditions for expats as well as pressure to create ed with Islam. hundreds of thousands of new and acceptable jobs for Saudis. Spiraling personal debt and the need for Against the intrusion and bullying of the muttawa, personal “connections” to secure a desirable job add the religious police, which have broad powers to arto the financial stress for many. rest, interrogate and torture in the name of maintaining “purity of religion”. Social. Strict Islamic laws keep the nation in a stranglehold. The most controversial and contradictory Ask the Lord to shut down this branch of the governissue is that of women’s rights. Driving, voting, ment administrated by the Ministry of the Interior working, even going out are prohibited or severely under Prince Nayf. restricted for women. Despite harsh societal restrictions, alcohol and drug abuse, sexual immorality and That the Lord would weaken the Spirit of Islam’s grip HIV/AIDS are hidden but real problems. over key regions in the nation especially renowned for their fanaticism to this false religion. Whether Military. Although the government can point to sev- this “spirit” is a composite demonic organization or eral successes, the battle between the military and a single demonic spirit, there are certain cities / reIslamist terrorists intensifies with each year. The gions in which it seems to have an especially strong presence of Western military forces rankles many. dominion: Makkah (Mecca) and Madina (Medina) in the Hijaz (west coast) region, and the Najd (central Although Saudi ranked only around the 30th per- interior) -- perhaps especially the Qasim Region -- the centile of the 191 nations polled by the World Bank “Qur’an Belt” of the nation which includes Riyadh, in terms of Gross National Income (GNI) and pur- the capital. chasing power, it’s huge oil deposits guarantee it a much louder voice on the world stage. In addition to That the Lord would open the eyes of the millions of being the world’s sole largest exporter of oil, Saudi pilgrims who visit Makkah each year on Hajj. About 2+ also heads the Organization for Petroleum Exporting million pilgrims arrive in the city of Makkah (Mecca) Countries. annually where they go through various prescribed rituals and prayers, culminating with seven revoluAs a result of its large oil wealth, the US, the richest tions around the Ka’aba, the physical center of Islam. and most powerful country on earth, has courted fa- Many come away describing the experience as the vor with Saudi through the years. This is not to say most spiritually fulfilling experience of their lives. that the relationship hasn’t been strained at times, especially after the 9/11 attacks when it was discov- Ask the Lord to open their spiritual eyes to the holered that 15 of the 19 hijackers were from Saudi. lowness of these empty rituals and their demonically reinforced lies.

Enduring Stories Stories from the Persecuted Church

Reality Check God’s plan for your life could be bigger than you and God’s plan, His vision was bigger than anything that I could ever imagine. Are we prepared for what that neither Thomas nor I could imagine even happening, might mean? and it happened in the midst of tragedy, because of the death of one of God’s faithful. Whenever we God’s Word was brought into the Pyongyang area pray things like “God I want you to use me to reach in 1865 by China missionary R. J. Thomas who had a others,” are we sure that we know what it is that we heart to bring the gospel to Korea. As his ship, the are praying? Are we prepared to die for what we beS.S. General Sherman, was stuck on a sand bank lieve in? south of Pyongyang and he set foot on Korean soil, he was killed. His attacker found his Chinese Bible Do you think RJ Thomas ever wondered? Do you think and liking the nice pages, though he could not read that he ever asked God “What is my purpose in life?” them, papered the outside walls of his house with I think God probably gets asked that question more them. Many were intrigued. Among those who came than anything else. How many times have I asked to read the pages was a scholar—who later became Him that same question? I think that we all want to a Christian. A generation later this scholar’s nephew know why we are here, and we want to know what assisted in the first translation of the New Testament God is calling us to. I bet that through the years, RJ into Korean. had asked that same question. Can you imagine that kind of plan being revealed for your life? R.J. Thomas never knew how God used his life and his Chinese Bible to bring the gospel to this nation. Look at what happened as a result of his life here on Thousands have placed their faith in Christ as a re- earth. Thousands came to know Christ. God’s plan? sult. RJ Thomas is just like you and me; he desired to Definitely bigger than anything RJ Thomas would see the fruit of his labor, but God had another, big- have thought was possible, but it cost him his life. ger plan. Reality Check #1. I ran across this in one of my study guides for North Korea for a class I am teaching on the persecuted Church. It was a reality check for me in many ways. Obviously God had a plan for this man’s life that is a little bit of a different plan than you or I might have. As leaders and teachers, we want to see the fruit of our works, we want to know how God will use these things that we devote our lives to. I think that’s perfectly natural to desire to see those things. But we don’t always get to see the end result do we?

I’ve been teaching a class for the past few weeks on the Persecuted Church, and after the class my wife and I spent a couple of hours talking about the life of a persecuted believer living in North Korea. Many North Korean Christians are isolated from fellowship with other believers for fear of spies. Some North Korean Christians feel like they have been in a wilderness of suffering and isolation for a long time and ask, “How long must we remain in the desert? Will God forget us forever?”

I bet that up until that day RJ Thomas had great plans for the things that we was set out to do for God, as many of us do. I bet that if you were to ask him that morning, being killed the moment he stepped off of that boat were not in his plans. What an incredible story, of how God can use us! His attacker papered his home with the pages of Thomas’s Bible. It would be a decade later before anything would become of it, and the result? Thousands of people coming to know Jesus as a result of reading the Word of God!

The study guide question was this: “In what situations have you asked “How long, Lord?” In what ways are you isolated because of your faith?” We’ll take a look at that question next month. Whitt Madden

Compass Direct Another Church in Jos, Nigeria Hit by Suicide Bombing

Persecution in India

Tamil Nadu, India, February 29 (Compass Direct New) JOS, Nigeria, March 11 (Compass Direct News) – Two – State police on Feb. 21 arrested a Christian after weeks after a suicide bomb attack by the Islamist Hindu extremists from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak sect Boko Haram during a church service here left at Sangh (RSS) accused him of forceful conversion and least three Christians dead, a similar blast during a beat him in Thuvakudi, Trichy district. Catholic Mass today killed at least three people. The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) reportAs in the Feb. 26 bomb blast outside the church walls ed that the Hindu extremists made the accusation of the Church of Christ in Nigeria service, security against Sahayam Chidambaran after arguing with his personnel apparently action forced the suspected brother, pastor John Chidambaran. Islamic extremists approaching St. Finbar’s Catholic Church in Rayfield, an affluent area of Jos, to deto- The pastor’s neighbor had demanded part of his nate their bomb before their car reached the sanc- church land, and after a quarrel had broken a water tuary where worship was taking place, eyewitnesses pipeline. When the pastor filed a police complaint, the neighbor brought about 10 extremists from the said. RSS to attack the pastor and falsely accuse him of At Jos University Teaching Hospital, 14 people were fraudulent and forced conversion. reportedly receiving treatment for wounds following today’s explosion, which damaged the church’s They also beat his daughter, Mercy, who had to be roof, windows and a portion of a fence surrounding rushed to the hospital for treatment, reported the its compound. Damian Babang, 26, a parishioner at GCIC. Police assured the pastor that they would amithe church, told Compass that he had just completed cably settle the matter and also took a statement a reading during the service when he heard the ex- from him, but the neighbor along with an RSS leader identified only as Mahendra subsequently attacked plosion. the pastor’s brother and raised the same false accu“The next thing I saw was the ceiling of the church sation to get him arrested and jailed. falling on us and cries of people struggling to get out Sajan K. George, president of the GCIC, told Comof the church,” he said. pass today that the Christian remained in jail at press “Many people are injured and many have died. I can- time and that he and his team was working for his not say how many died or injured, but I saw dead release. bodies being carried away, as well as the injured.” “We are expecting that he will be out from the prison Babang, visibly traumatized as he spoke inside the in two days time,” he said on Tuesday (Feb. 28). church building, said he did not understand why churches have become targets of Muslim terrorists. Retaliatory attacks by Christian youths reportedly took at least seven other lives today.

Compass Direct Chhattisgarh – Hindu extremists from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) disrupted a prayer service organized by Bershebha church on Feb. 15 in Pandhi village, near Bilaspur.

They took his vehicle, some books and Bibles and ordered him to meet with the inspector. Three days later he received a phone call from police ordering him to meet an official identified only as Almurthy, who told him he had received complaints from villagThe Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) reporters that he was forcefully converting people to Chrised that the church had organized a worship event tianity and that he had 24 hours to leave the village for Feb. 14-16 and had prior police permission. or go to jail. On the first day of the meeting, 15 to 20 RSS members arrived and issued threats, telling pastors Daulat Ram and Sunam Kumar Besra to halt the event; on their way out, they slapped Pastor Besra.

The pastor contacted pastor L.N. Gowda, state coordinator of the GCIC, who in turn informed the official about human and legal rights and said legal trouble could arise from his action on behalf of the Hindu extremists. The official summoned the pastor the next On the second day, about 50 RSS members told the day and told him that he could ask for protection if pastor to stop the meeting and then started tearing necessary. down the tent, microphone and speakers. The mob then dragged the Christians and started assaulting Chhattisgarh – Hindu extremists from the Bajrang them, resulting in severe injuries. Pastor Besra suf- Dal disrupted a gospel film screening, destroyed fered head injuries that required stitches. equipment and beat a pastor on Jan. 31 in Indira Nagar, Dongagarh. Later that evening, the extremists came back and attacked pastor Immannuel Banchor and other church The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) reportmembers, beating them badly with their fists and ed that pastor Rajendra Masih of a Believer’s Church a leather belt. The pastor sustained an injury to his congregation was screening the movie in front of left eye, and another Christian’s ear was severely in- the residence of one of the members of his church jured. when the extremists charged in. The extremists also damaged the pastor’s motorbike. With great difficulty the Christians managed to take refuge at a Christian’s house near the event site. At around 3 a.m. some pastors and church members brought them to their houses in Bilaspur. A case has been registered against the extremists, reported the GCIC.

They caught hold of Pastor Masih and began thrashing him, leaving lacerations on his face and wounding his left eye. The extremists phoned police at about 11:30 p.m. complaining that the Christians were forcibly and fraudulently converting Hindus to Christianity.

The police inspector visited the place along with a Karnataka – Police along with Hindu extremists on few constables and took the pastor to the station for Feb. 2 searched the home of a pastor, took tracts and further questioning. Finding no basis for the accusaBibles and filed a complaint against him of forceful tion, he closed the case after the two groups worked conversion in Siddapura, Utara Kannada. The Global out an agreement. Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) reported that officers in civil attire and area Hindu extremist leaders searched pastor Kiran Thippanna Das’s house without cause and questioned him.

Revive â&#x20AC;&#x153;Peace, joy, patience, and endurance all come from contact with Me.â&#x20AC;?

Revive Victory over Pride

Praying for Your Children

Often times of persecution, failure, pain, loneliness, humiliation, shame, grief and opposition reveal our pride to us and bring us to the end of our own abilities.

1. Pray for their salvation: Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory (2 Timothy 2:10). In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones Pride puts ‘self’ on the throne, but in heaven the should be lost (Matthew 18:14). Lamb that was slain is on the throne. There is really no limit to what God can do through a person who 2. Pray that honesty, integrity and faithfulness will is free of pride. When the devil cannot keep us from be part of their value system: May integrity and praying and spiritual labour, he will make us proud uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you of ourselves and we will all into this dangerous trap (Psalm 25:21). where God cannot use us. 3. Pray that God’s Spirit of power, love and self-conPride in general is a sure indication that the specific trol will fill them and that they will be free from fear: person does not understand God’s love for him/her So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but and does not experience love from other people. let us be alert and self-controlled (1 Thessalonians Let us continue to pray from Scripture for deliver- 5:6). There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives ance from pride. out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love (1 John But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was 4:18). hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken 4. Pray that they will love the Word of God: They from him. (Daniel 5:20) [the laws of the Lord] are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bear- than honey from the comb (Psalm 19:10). I lift up my ing with one another in love, (Ephesians 4:2) hands to your commands, which I love and I meditate on your decrees (Psalm 119:48). Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 5. Pray for self-respect and respect for other people: (Philippians 2:3) Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of Believers, fear God and honour the king (1 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and Peter 2:17). worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 6. Pray that they will be pure and holy before God (Colossians 2:18) and that they will be sexually pure until marriage: Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadBut he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God op- fast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). poses the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) 7. “In the last days’’ God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days and they will prophesy” (Acts.2:17-18).

Revive Praying for Your Children

Praying for Your Spouse

The greatest challenge facing a parent is to continue When we pray for our children it can be very difto pray in faith and a positive manner for their chil- ficult to faithfully and in faith continue to pray for dren. our spouses. We see many things we would like to change, even just for them to serve God wholeheartDo not complain and grumble when you pray for edly. your children. The following are a few guidelines when praying for Pray and trust God. your spouse. Do not allow bitterness or unforgiveness towards your children. Ask God for His love in your heart; unconditional love, love regardless of what happened in the past, love in spite of how your child behaves. Rather discuss your children with God before asking advice from other people. Parents often discuss the behavior and problems of their children with other people, ask for help, complain about their children, read books on raising children and seek professional help, but do not pray for them. Be sure to pray for your children. Pray for your children, do not accuse them. Your role is to come before God as a priest to plead for grace and mercy. The devil is the accuser. If you accuse your children before God and tell Him of all the wrong things they do, you are doing exactly what the devil does. Pray for humility (James 4:6) Pray for a sense of responsibility (Galatians 6:5) Pray for contentment (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Pray that they will grow in faith (Hebrews 11:1) Pray for their own prayer life (Isaiah 56:7)

See to it that your own life is in line with Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commands for you as wife/husband in marriage. You cannot pray with boldness for your spouse if you do not do what God demands from you in marriage. E.g. Wives, be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the Word, they may be won over without words by your behavior and the purity and reverence of your lives. Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers (1 Peter 3:1-2;7) Make a choice to pray for your spouse, even if you do not feel positive towards him/her at the moment. You cannot pray correctly or with the right attitude for your spouse if you do not make a choice time and again for your marriage and for your spouse. You cannot live a meaningful married life without dying to self, dying to your will, emotions, intellect, your understanding of what is right and wrong and of how you think things are supposed to be done. Make quite sure what your motives are when praying for your spouse. The correct motive is that the life of your spouse will glorify God and not that God will change him/her so that your life can be easier or more pleasant. Listen to God â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ask Him what you should pray. We often start praying without asking God, the One who made our spouses, what we should pray for them.

Revive Continuous Answers to Prayer

God’s Meekness Doesn’t Make Him Weak

God teaches us in Scripture that there are certain things that are of utmost importance for intercession. We could call them preconditions for prayer. Now, what are the preconditions and basic Biblical principle we have to adhere to in order to have continuous answers to prayer? What are the preconditions and principles for effective prayer?

Meekness is power under control. It is the restraint of power for the accomplishment of a higher cause. Meekness is never to be confused with weakness. Weakness is the absence of strength and power, when one has no options left.

Meekness is possessing power, yet restraining oneself from using it, choosing to be meek for redemptive purposes, for love. Meekness is also not to be The following guidelines will be helpful: confused with personality traits. A laid-back personBreak with sin completely. Confess all forms of ality is not to be equated with meekness. known, unconfessed sin in your life with it. Be sure that your heart is pure before God by allowing the An example of meekness versus weakness is clearly Holy Spirit to speak to your heart about any uncon- seen in the courtroom scene with Jesus and Pontius Pilate, just prior to the crucifixion. John 19:10-11 says: fessed sin. Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to Be united with Christ and never leave this position. me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify “If we have been united with Him in his death, we You, and power to release You?” will certainly also be united with Him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with Jesus answered, “You could have no power at Him so that the body of sin might be rendered pow- all against Me unless it had been given you from erless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin...” above.” (Romans 6:5-6). Some people today look at Jesus and say He was Abide in the risen Christ (John 15:7; Romans 6:11). “I weak at that moment. This is not true. have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live Jesus had power available to Him far beyond anyby faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave thing we could imagine. Yet He restrained Himself. Even at the most crucial hour and most critical moHimself for me” (Galatians 2:20). ment He responded to Pontius Pilate’s false assessHis words must be in you as food for the inner self. ment of the situation with the powerful truth. Feed on the Word of God. Read substantial portions of Scripture every day. Life in the Word and from the You are given power on this earth, whether it is as a Word. parent, in the work situation etc. Faith in God and obedience to God are absolutely necessary. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). “If you remain in Me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you” (John 15:7).

What are you doing with it?

We must constantly guard our hearts and minds by asking ourselves whether we are still walking in absolute honesty and integrity.

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs With millions of copies in print, Foxe’s Book of Martyrs has become a classic of magnificent courage and faith. Beginning with Jesus Christ, this unparalleled volume traces the roots of religious persecution. Some of the heroic figures examined are John Hus, John Wycliffe, William Tyndale, Anne Askew, Lady Jane Grey, and Martin Luther. Every month we will take a look back into the history of the Persecuted Church, as we continue through Foxe’s Book of Martyrs each month.

By this, Peter, perceiving his suffering to be understood, returned into the city. Jerome said that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was.

Peter Among many other saints, the blessed apostle Peter was condemned to death, and crucified, as some do write, at Rome; albeit some others, and not without cause, do doubt thereof.

Bartholomew Preached in several countries, and having translated the Gospel of Matthew into the language of India, he propagated it in that country. He was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.

Paul Paul, the apostle, who before was called Saul, after his great travail and unspeakable labors in promoting the Gospel of Christ, suffered also in this first Andrew Was the brother of Peter. He preached the gospel to persecution under Nero. Abdias, declareth that unmany Asiatic nations; but on his arrival at Edessa he der his execution Nero sent two of his esquires, Fewas taken and crucified on a cross, the two ends of rega and Parthemius, to bring him word of his death. which were fixed transversely in the ground. Hence They, coming to Paul instructing the people, desired him to pray for them, that they might believe; who the derivation of the term, St. Andrew’s Cross. told them that shortly after they should believe and be baptised at His sepulcher. This done, the soldiers St. Mark Was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He is came and led him out of the city to the place of exsupposed to have been converted to Christianity by ecution, where he, after his prayers made, gave his Peter, whom he served as an amanuensis, and under neck to the sword. whose inspection he wrote his Gospel in the Greek language. Mark was dragged to pieces by the people Jude of Alexandria, at the great solemnity of Serapis their The brother of James, was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa, A.D. 72. idol, ending his life under their merciless hands.

Hegesippus saith that Nero sought matter against Peter to put him to death; which, when the people Thomas perceived, they entreated Peter with much ado that Called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he would fly the city. he was martyred by being thrust through with a Peter, through their importunity at length persuaded, spear. prepared himself to avoid. But, coming to the gate, he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to whom Luke he, worshipping, said, “Lord, whither dost Thou go?” The evangelist, was the author of the Gospel which To whom He answered and said, “I am come again to goes under his name. He travelled with Paul through various countries, and is supposed to have been be crucified.” hanged on an olive tree, by the idolatrous priests of Greece.

Puritan Vision

Puritan Vision How to Know If You Are A Real Christian - By After the fall, we can see from his activities as a tempter, etc., (Matt 4:3) that he has been spendJonathan Edwards

ing his time increasing his knowledge and its practical applications. That his knowledge is great can be Part Three seen in how tricky he is when tempting people. The craftiness of his lies shows how clever he is. Surely We may make several conclusions based on these he could not manage his deceit so well without an truths. First, that no matter how much people may actual and true knowledge of the facts. know about God and the Bible, it is no sure sign of salvation. This knowledge of God and his works is from the very beginning. Satan was there from the Creation, The devil before his fall, was one of the bright as Job 38:47 shows: “Where were you when I laid and morning stars, a flame of fire, one excelling in the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. strength and wisdom. (Isaiah 14:12, Ezekiel 28:12-19) . .while the morning stars sang together and all the Apparently, as one of the chief angels, Satan knew angels shouted for joy?” much about God. Now that he is fallen, his sin has not destroyed his memories from before. Sin does destroy the spiritual nature, but not the natural abilities, such as memory. That the fallen angels do have many natural abilities may be seen from many Bible verses, for example Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” In the same way, the Bible says that Satan is “more crafty” than other created beings. (Genesis 3:1, also 2 Corinthians 11:3, Acts 13:10) Therefore we can see that the Devil has always had great mental ability and is able to know much about God, the visible and invisible world, and many other things. Since his job in the beginning was to be a chief angel before God, it is only natural that understanding these things has always been of first importance to him, and that all his activities have to do with these areas of thoughts, feelings, and knowledge.

So he must know much about the way God created the world, and how He governs all the events in the universe. Furthermore, Satan has seen how God has worked his plan of redemption in the world; and not as an innocent bystander, but as an active enemy of God’s grace. He saw God work in the lives of Adam and Eve, in Noah, Abraham, and David. He must have taken a special interest in the life of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of men, the Word of God incarnate. How closely did he watch Christ? How carefully did he observe his miracles and listen to His words? This is because Satan has set himself against Christ’s work, and it is to his torment and anguish that Satan has watched Christ’s work unfold successfully. Satan, then, knows much about God and God’s work. He knows heaven first-hand. He knows hell also, with personal knowledge as its first resident, and has experienced its torments for all these thousands of years. He must have a great knowledge of the Bible: at the least, we can see he knew enough to try tempting our Saviour.

Because it was his original employment to be one of the angels before the very face of God, and sin does To be continued next month.. not destroy the memory, it is clear that Satan knows more about God than just about any other created being.

God of This City

Coming fall 2012