Home » Posts tagged 'China'

Tag Archives: China

The call for endurance and faith

December 22, 2013 7:29 am / Leave a comment

I have been surrounded by the thoughts of martyrs since I was 16 years old. Engaged with Brother Andrew and Corrie Ten Boom‘s renditions of his exploits. Signed up to join Far East Broadcasting Company before it was safe to preach the gospel in China. My heart goes out to the persecuted Church.

I will be a part of that church someday, even though I live in Canada. Actually, I can probably say I have entered into the realm, but not personally. The writing is on the wall so to speak.

With those thoughts in my mind, I have encountered two thoughts, maybe three.

Persecution is coming and when it comes, it comes at the will of God. As the story of Job goes, so goes the story of the persecuted Church. We have to be at a place where we really understand this portion of scripture for if we do not, we might not make it through.

When the time of evil comes upon the earth and everyone is turning to worship it – the only ones who will not are those who name has been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain. My name was written in this incredibly important book before the foundation of the world…your name too if you are a follower of Jesus. I can’t tell you how I feel about this as I can say that I have not heard of this before – actually what I can tell you is how I feel, just not what to think about it and how that relates to my walk with God. He really does know me, really does love me, has an incredible stake in me making it through to the end as a committed follower.

He knows that it will be so difficult to see authority given to another to make war against the saints and to even conquer them. So much so that He places out a special call to us – a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

Lord, my walk with you has taken a different turn today. I walk with my friend today, my sustainer, the One who knows the road that lays before me. I am strengthened by that walk, knowing that you really do know me and knowing that I will need you to ensure my walk is steady and sure. May the saints lamps be filled with oil and may we have extra knowing that such a day is before us. I accept the call for endurance and faith and I can only do so because You walk with me. Thank you for not only making the call, but making it so that I can accept it.

Andrew Murray – Faith And Its Power Of Endurance

How Should We Pray? Suffering in Trials and Persecution, The Way To Endure (vineoflifenews.com)
Pray for Persecuted Christians (exegete77.wordpress.com)

Tradition

January 23, 2013 1:22 pm / Leave a comment

Tradition is still a good word to use, but I think we could go right into culture as well to see how we fail to walk with God in certain areas because even when there is a gap between the Biblical worldview and our tradition or culture, we go with tradition and culture over God’s Word.

It happens all the time. Anyone who has studied any kind of Church history sees it through and through the Church today. Never mind Church history, just look at North American Christianity and what it looks like today and try moving that to China, Mongolia, Middle East, or Japan.

It’s hard for me to share examples because there are many and not any one of them is going to change the world. I am just realizing more and more each day how much our traditions get in the way of our relationships. More importantly, I believe my traditions stop me from following God.

My best story that resembles this is Peter, on the roof top of Simon’s house and in prayer. God reveals a vision of unclean meat and tell’s Peter to get up, kill and eat. I know exactly what Peter is thinking – he has never eaten unclean meat in his life and there is no way that stuff is going into his mouth. Yet, here is God, whom we think created the law of not eating unclean meat to begin with, telling Peter to get up and eat.

What if God asked us to do something like He asked Hosea – marry a prostitute? What if He asked us to sacrifice our one and only son to Him – like Abraham? Would our traditions or our culture get in the way? I know I went pretty far there and these examples are much more than culture and tradition, but I think we need to take a look at how our mindsets have been predetermined and maybe they do not reflect the character of God. The test is ultimately in our actions. Are we honouring God with our lips and our hearts are far from Him? Most likely it is easier then to worship God by teaching what comes easily and are doctrines developed by people, just like us.

Walking with God is going to help break up some of those cultural and traditional things we have learned, especially if we have enjoyed being in fellowship with only one denomination most of our lives. If we have found ourselves in a new land because of immigration, I think you will understand this concept better than us who have resided in one country for most of our lives.

The excitement of following God and growing and changing to be more like Him makes the day a great day!

Rose and Linda’s Blog Traditions at a Glance (momsfirstscreenn.wordpress.com)