Posted on 03/16/2012 4:33:53 PM PDT by Country Gal
I'm reading my monthly publication of "The Voice of the Martyrs" and am just amazed and stunned by the power an impact of the Holy Bible.
I'm reading a story of how someone named Mozafar, who was a devout Muslim, had been commanded by his mullah (Islamic leader) to read the Bible so that he could write an argument against it to defeat the Christians. Upon reading the book of Matthew, he was stunned by the mercy and grace of Jesus. He went to a hotel room to read more without interruption. He became a Christian.
The message of the Gospel is spreading throughout China in the underground churches. Often there is one Bible for several hundred people. My friend helps to smuggle more in, but it's impossible to meet the need as Christianity is growing so rapidly.
It's an absolutely powerful book. Thank you, Lord, for your Word, your Truth, your Guide. It's the only book that, upon opening, the author appears.
Thanks for the heads-up, Country Gal - I haven’t cracked open this month’s VOM yet, but will tonight, fer sure.
I love reading their testimonies! We just don’t know how blessed we are!
Thank you, Lord, for giving us Your Word. Forgive us for not appreciating as much as we should!
Amen!
"It's the only book that, upon opening, the author appears."
It's also the only book that while you read it,it reads you! (Hebrews 4:12)
Then there is the story of Josh McDowell who set out to debunk Christianity back in the 60s. The more he researched the history and the culture of Jesus’ time, the more he concluded that Jesus MUST have been a) historical b) completely dead and c) could not have had His body stolen as some had claimed. Faced with this, he had to conclude Jesus must have been the Son of God and accepted Him as the Savior. His book on that process, “Evidence That Demands a Verdict” is one of the best-selling Christian books of all time and a great tool for evangelizing the “prove it to me” crowd. The ones who approach it with an open mind and an open heart become convinced.
The stories are inspiring, but that publication generally ignores atrocities perpetrated upon Catholics. A comparison of VoMs coverage of the anti-Christian bombings in Nigeria compared to the entirety of the bombings in a simple internet search is pretty damning of their anti-Catholic bias.
I understand your concerns. I was really just hoping for a forum celebrating how great the Bible is, and sharing stories. I know there are a lot of atrocities that they don’t cover. There are just a lot of them all over the world right now.
That I did not know. I sometimes donate.
They do incredible work and risk their lives to help the persecuted church.
I love the story of the man speaking to a group of Muslim women and telling the story of the adulterous woman. When he tells them that Jesus showed her grace and prevented her from being stoned, they were amazed.
It must be incredibly hard to be a part of the underground church in these areas. I deeply admire their courage.
I, too, love testimonies of converted muslims. I support several ministries which evangelize muslims by printed page, specific websites, satellite broadcasts, etc., and it is marvellous the various ways these people come to Christ.
Many of them have direct visitations by Christ Himself, or in dreams, instructing them what to do, where to go, or whom to ask. All they need is a sincere hunger to know the TRUTH, and God leads them to it, by truly miraculous ways.
I think it was either George Washington or Abe Lincoln who said that the Holy Bible is the greatest gift God gave to mankind......other than our Saviour.....which goes without saying, of course.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
“Many of them have direct visitations by Christ Himself, or in dreams, instructing them what to do, where to go, or whom to ask. All they need is a sincere hunger to know the TRUTH, and God leads them to it, by truly miraculous ways.”
I’ve heard of this happening! God won’t deny His truth to anyone sincerely wanting to know it.
I’ve heard it said recently by someone involved with the persecuted church that the Middle East is more receptive to the Gospel than America is right now. Incredible!
The Holy Spirit is more powerful than a person; if God intends to save a person, then most certainly he will.
Romans 10
“13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
From Henry’s commentary:
“(God) shows that the word preached is the ordinary means of working faith (Rom. 10:17): So then, ara—however; though many that hear do not believe, yet those that believe have first heard. Faith cometh by hearing. It is the summary of what he had said before, Rom. 10:14. The beginning, progress, and strength of faith, are by hearing. The word of God is therefore called the word of faith: it begets and nourishes faith. God gives faith, but it is by the word as the instrument. Hearing (that hearing which works faith) is by the word of God. It is not hearing the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but hearing the word of God, that will befriend faith, and hearing it as the word of God.”
At this point he references a pertinent verse from
1 Thessalonians 2
“13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.”
“Forgive” . . . now THAT is a word completely foreign to Muslims.
1Cr 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Amen!
The Lord's Word is the single, unique object here on earth that provides union with our hearts and minds to the Lord and the heavens. Reading and meditating on His Word while looking to the Lord and trusting His voice allows us to be led in all Good and Truth.
The Gospels provide testimony to the ultimate Christian Life that we can receive by taking up our cross and following Jesus. May the Light of Truth shine forth for all to see. May God Bless all those who are persecuted for their beliefs. I'm afraid after the Arab spring, things will become worse before it gets better.
This year, our Church has started using Google+ hangouts to facilitate online small video groups with participants from all over the world. I'm in several and all are very exciting and spiritually fulfilling. We use Facebook to organize these.
Our Services and weekly Bible study are available on UStream which I've viewed on my Android phone. At some point, technology will overtake these totalitarian countries and the Truth will be available, I pray.
What is your Church’s Facebook page? What is the URL from the streaming video?
Swedenborgians Everywhere is a good starting place for general info. You can also search on 'New Church' to find local congregations. The Episcopal seat is Bryn Athyn Cathedral on Facebook and Bryn Athyn Service is the Worship Services broadcast on UStream. Nunc Licet Bible Study is the Wednesday Bible Study.
The Heaven and Hell community page, is the most popular of Swedenborg's works. I'm thinking of starting a weekly discussion group to based on that page.
We figured the Bible is the best witness in such a dark time. These people go to bookshows and set up christian stands featuring the Bible and have a lot of success.
We plan on continuing our support for the foreseeable future. You're right...the Bible is IT!
Thanks - I’ll check it all out. Thanks for what you and your church are doing to help our fellow Christians.
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