Don and I were able to travel to Minneapolis this weekend for a church conference with one of my favorite teachers on the signs of the times. After an incredible weekend with the Lord, I found myself sick yesterday. As a result, I was late getting Heart to Heart distributed. Each week, before I write, I pray and ask the Lord to direct my thoughts and use me as an empty vessel to bring encouragement for the week to someone. I just wasn’t getting anything, and then I read the following article. I cried . . . God spoke . . . Who was it for?
Brothers and sisters, we are so blind. We spend time debating Arminianism vs. Calvinism while the truth is likely somewhere in the middle. It doesn’t matter. It is a non-essential doctrine, and we cannot understand completely. In the West, the Body of Christ has divided itself into many different denominations – most of them based, generally, on one or more non-essential doctrines they are divided in. More and more the church blurs the lines of truth as God gives it in His Word. Many who say they love God are oblivious of the fact that until the denominations come together on the essential doctrines, i.e. the triune nature of God, the virgin birth, the atoning death, the bodily resurrection and ascension, the fact that Jesus is coming again to receive his bride . . . we will never become a city-wide, a nation-wide, a world-wide . . . yea a Bride/Church ready to receive her bridegroom. Our opinions don’t matter. It is only what God says that matters. God’s word hasn’t changed. This time in history does not require a revised gospel or a new way of presenting it. Like God Himself, His Word is eternal! Unshakable! Unstoppable! Undefeatable! And we are warned not to add or take away.
All over the world, God is pouring out His Spirit in awe and wonder. Each month in China, 1.3 million people are added to the kingdom. In India, the number is about 1 million. For the first time in history, Jewish eyes are being opened to Messiah Yeshua/Jesus, and daily new believers are added to the Church in Israel, while the eyes of the Western Church appear to be growing dim. Young Arab men and women are being visited by Jesus in dreams and visions. In the midst of radical Islam, a Church is being birthed. Like natural birth, spiritual birthing involves pain. While in America . . . the Church overall is sleeping. Why? What happened to our passion? How far would we be willing to go for Jesus? How bold would we be willing to stand? How deep is our love? All over the world, a persecuted Church is willing to die for their faith, yet in America, we refuse to even be inconvenienced. How many times do we say in a time of need, I’m sorry but . . .
Oh God, that you would forgive us and restore us to the passion that once called us to the cross! Make us a Church ready to receive the harvest . . . ready to receive the Lord Jesus Christ. Stir us, Lord. Ignite us, Lord. Bring Your Spirit in its fullness to shake us out of our complacency. Pursue us and do not let us rest until we remember Your faithfulness and stand in the gap for our lost, our cities, and those who endure persecution in Your name throughout the earth. As Francis Frangipane says, “Victory begins with the name of Jesus on our lips; but it will not be consummated until the nature of Jesus is in our heart.” Oh, Lord . . . give us unrelenting desire for the nature of Jesus to be completed in our hearts. Amen.
Stop, pause and consider this wonderful story . . .
TEHRAN, IRAN (ANS) -- Two Christian women who were arrested for their faith have been amazingly acquitted and freed from Tehran's notorious Evin prison and are now in a country outside Iran. Fourteen months after being arrested for their Christian faith and activities, Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh have been acquitted of all charges by the Iranian judicial authorities. However, they were warned that any future Christian activity in Iran will be seriously dealt with. On Saturday May 22, 2010, they left Iran and arrived safely in another country.
Sam and Lin Yeghnazar, founders of Elam Ministries, met them at the airport. It was a tearful reunion. “It was very emotional when we first saw them,” said Lin Yeghnazar, “Now, we want to see them rest and recover.” Maryam and Marzieh are eager to thank Christians who have been praying for them. “We are most grateful to everyone who prayed for us,” Marzieh said, “I have no doubt that God heard the prayers of His people.” Maryam added, “I believe our arrest, imprisonment and subsequent release were in the timing and plan of God, and it was all for His glory. But the prayers of people encouraged and sustained us throughout this ordeal.” Elam Ministries says: "Both young women have shown exceptional courage, daring to tell an Islamic judge that they would never deny their faith in Christ."
According to a media update from Elam, when Sam Yeghnazar told them their example had encouraged countless people around the world, they were quick to respond, “We are frail human beings with many weaknesses. The honor and glory go to God who has kept and used us, although we don’t know why He has chosen us. All the glory goes to Him.” Maryam and Marzieh were arrested in March 2009 because of their Christian faith and were repeatedly placed under great pressure to recant and deny Jesus Christ.
They faced repeated interrogations, weeks in solitary confinement, and unhealthy prison conditions. Both became seriously sick during their imprisonment and did not receive the treatment they needed which greatly increased their suffering. Senior judges and officials also intimidated them. Despite this, they remained faithful to Jesus Christ and did not deny Him. After their conditional release from prison in November 2009, they have had a very trying six months waiting for their case to be heard in an Islamic court where they could have been sentenced to prison again. “We have seen the Lord do miracles over and over again. He kept us and gave us favor in prison, and sustained us during a very difficult period of waiting for our final trial,” said Marzieh.
Maryam and Marzieh have lived through many experiences during the last fourteen months. The days ahead are not certain. However, they are determined to serve the Lord and the Iranian church. “We hope to eventually share some of what the Lord allowed us to go through to highlight the need and the opportunity for the church in Iran, but right now we will take time to pray and seek the Lord for His will,” said Maryam. Please continue to pray for Maryam and Marzieh to fully recover and continue in fruitful ministry.
Used with permission by ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
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And how would I . . . How would you . . . stand????????????
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