Day: May 30, 2013

Pain and Victory for the Church in Egypt – Open Doors Re-Blog

Pain and Victory for the Church in Egypt – Open Doors

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“The powerful presence of the Holy Spirit could not be mistaken. At one end of the building several people saw white pigeons flying over! Could this be a special sign of affirmation of His presence? While stories of healing from sicknesses were shared around, it was undeniable, the Holy Spirit was there.” – an Egyptian Church Leader

The nightly news often shows crowds of angry, desperate Egyptians protesting in the streets of Cairo.

Lacking the most essential needs of life – jobs, shelter, security – Egyptians are lining up for bread for their table, gasoline for their cars, and more. Many experience water and electricity cuts. Police forces appear to focus most of their efforts on guarding people and  places related to the Muslim Brotherhood, while doing very little to secure or protect citizens.

“We hear frequent reports about car hijacking, armed robberies, kidnapping for ransom, buildings set on fire, protestors blocking rail lines and major highways,” says an Egyptian church leader. “I stand back in pain and wonder; is this really my country, Egypt!?!”

What makes the situation even gloomier are the attacks on churches and Christians. Recently, in Khusus Village, while mourners carried the remains of their dead, the procession was attacked by a mob. Police arrived too late. The attacks resulted in not only 7 deaths and dozens of injuries, but also added to the escalating tension rising throughout Egypt.

“Where do we take our pains,” adds the leader. “Is God still in control? Is there a reason why He allows these attacks to come on His children? We may not have an answer, yet, what is clearly evident is that He is preparing His children in Egypt to a big victory and a grand harvest.”

In a historical meeting held on Feburary 18, church leaders from various denominations, came together and launched “The Council of Egyptian Churches.” Sponsored by Pope Tawadros II, the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patrarch of the See of St. Mark, is someone who sees this as a turning point in church unity.

Then, forty days later, on March 29, an evangelical church hosted a prayer meeting at a large conference facility in the desert, located 160 miles north of Cairo. Approximately 7,000 Christians, from various denominations including the Orthodox and Catholic churches, showed up for the three-day event. Continue reading “Pain and Victory for the Church in Egypt – Open Doors Re-Blog” →

Morning Reading: Acts 2.22-36 NLT – powerful witnesses

Reading: Acts 2.22-36 NLT

“People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. King David said this about him:

‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’

Empty Tomb by He Qi
Empty Tomb
by He Qi

“Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave.

“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said,

‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”’

“So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”

Prayer: Heavenly Father – You raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him to sit at your right hand. Holy Spirit – Make me a powerful witness to the miracles, signs, and wonders that I have seen and heard… and give me the boldness to show and tell… always pointing to Jesus. Lord Jesus – May the whole world know: that no person is so lost that you can’t find him/her… that no situation is so dark that you can’t bring light to it… that no tribe or nation is so far gone that you can’t raise them from the dead. You are the God who is mighty to save. To you be all glory, honor, power, wisdom and strength. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Mighty to Save” – Hillsong