In the words of an Iraqi brother

Picture of Iraqi church prior to attack

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, 

when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. 

Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; 

at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 

You sympathized with those in prison 

and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, 

because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 

So do not throw away your confidence; 

it will be richly rewarded. 

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, 

you will receive what he has promised. 

For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come 

and will not delay. 

But my righteous one will live by faith. 

And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." 

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, 

but of those who believe and are saved.

Hebrews 10:32-39

On Oct. 31, Islamic extremists attacked worshipers at the Syrian Catholic Church of Baghdad, Iraq, killing 59 Christians and severely injuring more than 80 others, according to Voice of the Martyrs sources. Several gunmen armed with automatic weapons and explosives entered the church during a worship service and opened fire on worshipers. Two priests were among those killed in the attack. 

"[This church was attacked] because they are very active, especially among the youth and community," VOM contacts said. "This church works closely with the United Bible Society and VOM by distributing Bibles and Action Packs in Iraq. This is the second time this church has been targeted; in 2004 it was hit with a car bomb." 

A militant organization called the Islamic State of Iraq, which has links to al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia, claimed responsibility for the attack, according to Compass Direct News. Following the attack, sources told VOM that churches throughout the city had received death-threat letters, warning them to stop their Christian activities or face similar consequences. The threats have caused many churches to cancel services. 

Just two days ago I received an email from our friend Malath. Our family met Malath at our church, Jubilee in South Korea. He was attending seminary there. Since then, we have remained friends. Below is his email message and plea for prayer.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, 

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, that how I would like to start sharing with you how we are doing in Iraq/ Baghdad. 

Actually we are not doing very well these days, as you know the extremists attacked one of the Catholic Church last week which is three blocks far from my church, and they killed more 50 people and so many injured people. what happened created among  Christians frustration and fear. if  you have a look at the pictures and hear the stories of those who were in there you cannot hold your tears and even your feelings. the situation was so hard even beyond our imagination. all I can say we are truly living the book Acts. we are seeing with our hearts, minds, and eyes what dose it mean to be Christian.   the Christians stayed at their homes after that, as long as they cannot protect their families from the hand of terrorists in the churches, however today the extremists killed many Christians in their houses by using guns and explosive things. that made the situation more hard and worse. 

I do not want to say we are doing great, and we have great faith during this time. I am personally so concerned about my church, my people, and my family. at the same Sunday when they attacked the Catholic Church the Iraqi Police came to my church at the middle of our service and talked to me. the police guy told me "please stop the service and let your people go home NOW NOW, we are not able to protect you if anything happens so just run". I was in a situation that could not imagine for a while, and could imagine my church people would be hostages or murdered, however that what the Lord said to all of us in john 16 "All this I told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue, in fact a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God"

 I am reading the Bible now in a different way that I never read it before, in a way when I could imagine all what the Lord said I might go through, and all what happened in early church could my church also go through. Now I can understand more Paul when he said "And now, compelled by the Holy Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- that task of testifying to the Gospel of God's Grace" now I could feel what Paul said and what was his heart and emotions. 

brothers and sisters, "Christianity without suffering is tasteless", we believe God has something very special to our churches in Iraq. we do not know yet, but it could be unity among the churches, let the whole world know what is going on among in Islamic countries, revival among the catholic church and even the evangelical church in Iraq and the whole world

As I am writing this e-mail to you, I got a message on my phone I would like to share it with you " dear malath please be carful because today they killed many Christians and they put under their cars explosive things so watch and search your car carefully before every time you drive it. also I heard they are collecting information about Christians in our areas, and even they are spying on our phones, take care" that just to make the picture more clear to you and to know how to pray for us. 

please keep us in your prayers, ask the Lord to let us speak always about him and his love. and being faithful to him in our faith, action, word, and prayer. He is so good, and I love Him and His kingdom so much. please pray for me so I can say and Live what Paul says " I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Jesus has given me- that task of testifying to the Gospel of God's Grace"

Thank you so much, and let us always remember and believe God is good all the time

God bless you

Malath

Please pray for Iraqi Christians, especially for the families of those killed and injured in the Oct. 31 attack. Ask God to comfort and minister to them during this difficult time. Pray that in the aftermath of this brutal violence, Iraqi Christians will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in faith, and not grow weary or lose heart. Pray for peace and stability in Iraq.

Prayer for the nations

When man works, man works; When man prays, God works.

The ministry of the children of God is not doing but praying, not strategizing, but prostrate before God seeking His will, not clever stratagies for manipulating people and events but trusting in God who moves in the hearts of even His most implacable enemies. Through prayer Nebuchadnezzar, and today’s dictators get converted, Manassah’s and today’s persecutors repent and kingdoms of Babylon and Iron Curtains are torn down. We do not engage in ministry and pray for God’s blessing on it, prayer IS the ministry from which all other ministries must flow.

Psalm 2 reveals the Father’s Great Commission to His Son and how the destiny of nations is tied in with their rejection of or submission to His Kingly Son. Look at the command and promises of Ps 2:8.

'Ask of Me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, And dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.'

Operation World, a wonderful Christian organization which gathers information on every country in the world, including percentage of Christians, economic and political background and ways to pray, is sending out a daily email for the next 60 days. 

Each day will focus on a different country with a bit of information on the country, ways to pray for that country and a short video on the country. You can join this daily prayer movement here.

This is an excellent way to pray for the nations, not only on your own but with your children. You can also purchase the Operation World book which provides greater insight into each country and its prayer needs. 

The content of Operation World  website give something of the needs and challenges of our needy, sin-sick, doomed world. The nations are there for the asking. God is calling you and me into the ministry of intercession for them. Through these prayers much will happen – above all we could ask or expect.

Daniel heard God’s voice in Daniel 7:27:

'The kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; Their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them. 

The cost is great, for these words were preceded in verse 21-22 by:

As I looked, this horn made war with the saints, and prevailed over them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgement was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints received the kingdom.'

The enemy will seek to frighten us and dangle allurements to distract us from the vision of a heavenly, eternal kingdom filled with people from every race, tribe, people and tongue. Yet Jesus offers you a share in his reign. We may look up to Him in agony at times, but see your true position looking down with Him exercising the authority bequeathed to you by Him in the Great Commission He has given to you and every Christian. 

May you become an intercessor with a world vision that prays Satan-defeating, kingdom-taking, people-reaching, captive-releasing, revival-giving, Christ-glorifying prayers.

Prayer not only changes people, situations and even the course of history, but also those who pray! 

It is dangerous for the enemy and also 'dangerous' for you. There is a price to pay to be a person who stands in the gap in prayer. That price may mean becoming an answer to your own prayers in giving time, finances and even going out as a witness in your Jerusalem (where you now live), your Judea (your own country), your Samaria (the other ethnic groups in your own country) or even to the ends of the earth. 

I have been using the Operation World website for over a year now to pray daily for the nations. May each of us prayer give our whole lives for this most noble of causes – to obey Jesus’ last command in making disciples of all nations and so ready the Church and the world for the grand climax of His glorious return!

1040 Christianity in the New Asia

I just got done watching an incredible movie/documentary entitled 1040: Christianity in the New Asia. 

In 78 minutes, the host, Jaeson Ma (a Korean pastor from Los Angeles), travelled to various countries in Asia, showing the movement of Jesus throughout this region.

Singapore, China, Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan...an incredible growth in the Christian church in regions that have never known the name of Jesus until now. 

I believe, like many of those interviewed in the movie, that Asia and Africa are the site of the next great movement of God. The youth, especially, are on fire for Jesus! 

We experienced this while living in Seoul, South Korea and it's this passion and fire for the Lord that draws my heart back to Asia every time I watch or read something about what God is doing there. 

My prayer is that the Lord will bring us back to Asia to live and work there sometime in the near future. It has been my heart's cry ever since we returned from Korea in 2008. 

Christians in Asia live out their faith every day. I am humbled, encouraged and excited to see what God has in store for this part of His world. I love you Asia!

Here is the movie trailer. I could not find the movie on You Tube but you can order it from the 1040: Christianity in the New Asia website. It is well worth it!

Orphan Sunday

The need is vast

15 million orphans worldwide have lost both parents

A half million children in the U.S. live in foster care

"Defend the cause of the fatherless"  Isaiah 1:17

Hope is Fading - Click here to download

I live adoption every day of my life through our daughter Grace, adopted from China when she was 

10 1/2 months old. One of the best, most important choices we ever made! I can't imagine life without Grace. I love her with everything that is in me. She and I want to adopt more children.  

Please, if you are reading this blog, stop right now and say a prayer. Ask God to show you what He wants you to do for the orphans. 

Is there room at your table for one more little face? Is there room on your sofa for one more child who wants to snuggle? 

You can impact one child for eternity, and you, in turn, will be blessed beyond measure!

To read more about my thoughts on adoption go to The Least of These

For more info go to Orphan Sunday

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church 7 November 2010

On Sunday, 7 November 2010, Christian Believers all over the world will be setting aside time to intercede on behalf of our Brothers and Sisters who are facing persecution for their faith.   The goal of this global concert of prayer is to increase awareness of the opposition and violence Christians are enduring worldwide, stand in the gap for these courageous men and women, and call the Church to action on their behalf.   "We believe prayer changes things," the sponsors of this event say.  "Exactly what happens is a mystery of faith.  God invites us to present to Him our requests and to pray without ceasing.  The most we can do is the least we can do - pray. " For more information on this important call to prayer, go to www.persecutedchurch.org.

PRAY FOR: those Christians who are being discriminated against, verbally and physically abused, detained, arrested, tortured, and even killed because they choose to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.  (The Bible, I Peter 4:13,14) these Brothers and Sisters to remain strong in the faith, boldly sharing the Gospel.  Pray for the Lord to use them as light and salt to oppressive authorities, guards, and fellow prisoners.  (The Bible, Matthew 5:13,14) families who have lost loved ones and seen family members attacked, imprisoned and murdered.  Ask the Lord to comfort and strengthen them, and help them remain faithful to Him.  (The Bible, II Corinthians 1:3,4) Christian Believers who are alone - in prisons, in secret jails, and in dungeon-like situations.  Pray for the Lord to draw near to them and make His presence known.  (The Bible, Hebrews 10:22) leaders and governments in nations of the 10/40 Window where this mistreatment takes place.  Pray for the Lord to soften and change their hearts - transforming them from "Sauls" to "Pauls."  (The Bible, Colossians 1:13) the Kingdom of God to come in great power and glory to every dark corner, bringing an end to the violence and hatred Christians are enduring.  (The Bible, I Corinthians 4:20)

Wonderful video series on growth of Christianity throughout history

During the Lausanne Congress, a gathering in Cape Town, South Africa two weeks ago, which brought together more than 4,000 Christians from 198 nations with a heart for outreach and missions, a wonderful series of videos was shown. 

In three parts, the history of the Christian Church throughout the world, is shown in engaging video. This video series is about 50 minutes long and is the best overview of the history of the Christian church that I have seen.

I would highly recommend it to you for your own education, the education of your children and also Sunday school classes or other Christian gatherings. 

Growth of Christianity (part 1)

Growth of Christianity (part 2)

Growth of Christianity (part 3)

How to become an online missionary

I just watched an excellent presentation from Lausanne 2010, a missions conference with over 4,000 delegates from 198 countries held in South Africa two weeks ago. It is about the use of different media forms to share the Gospel. You can watch it below...it's fairly short (5 minutes).

Media Messages Matter

After watching that, I knew I needed to share about a wonderful opportunity I have been given to be an online missionary!

Campus Crusade has a program called program called Global Media Outreach. It is to help any Christian to become an online missionary. 

Once you go through some online training, you have the opportunity to speak to new or recommitted Christians from all over the world. These people have accessed Campus Crusade websites as they have been searching the internet for info about Jesus and God. They are led through the Gospel message and given a chance to respond. If they indicate that they want to speak to an online missionary, than they are sent to one of us.

I have been an online missionary for about five months now and it has been a great way for me to share the love of Christ with people all over the world from my own living room before the little ones get up in the morning. It is an awesome use of technology to reach the world for Christ!  Just today I spoke to new or recommitted Christians in Ghana, Syria, Ethiopia and California.                 

GMO now has over 5,000 Online Missionaries. But they believe that in the coming years the Lord wants to raise up tens of thousands of Online Missionaries, greatly expanding their capacity to not just respond to contacts, but to provide quality follow-up and encouragement in their walk with God.

If you have a heart for sharing Christ, and would love to have this opportunity, go to  GMO Join Us to find out more and to sign up. I've shared Christ with more than 200 people in the last few months, many of them from countries closed to the Gospel through traditional means but open to the Gospel through the internet. It is awesome!