Tag: christianity

Morning Reading: Acts 4.13-22 NLT – can’t stop telling

Reading: Acts 4.13-22 NLT

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say. So they ordered Peter and John out of the council chamber and conferred among themselves.

Testimony in Kenya
Testimony in Kenya

“What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. “We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it. But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.” So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.

But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”

The council then threatened them further, but they finally let them go because they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God for this miraculous sign—the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Give me the boldness and steadfastness of Peter and John who, under threat of the authorities, remained obedient to God. Holy Spirit – Give me the words to speak truth to power in a way that is clear and unequivocal . Heavenly Father – Work your wonders in me and through me… that the world may know Jesus is Lord. Amen.

Hymn: “Since Jesus Came Into My Heart” – Rufus H. McDaniel (1914)

Please pray for Christians in Vietnam – World Watch List #21

Please pray for the Persecuted Church in Vietnam – World Watch List #21 (Open Doors USA)

Vietnam Map
Vietnam

VIETNAM (Wikipedia)

Population: 89.7 million (9.7 million Christians)
Main Religion: Buddhism
Government: Communist state
Source of Persecution: Communist oppression/dictatorial paranoia

Vietnam womenChristians are perceived as Western agents and the state, with the help of tribal leaders, watches churches closely. The government requires permits for larger gatherings and issues them last minute – if at all – to deter people from attending. Converts from Buddhism come under pressure from family and community, and authorities in tribal areas often hire gangsters to harass pastors and new believers. The government has begun placing more restrictions on Christians in the wake of the Arab Spring.

Vietnam woman and childPLEASE PRAY: More than a dozen believers were imprisoned in 2012.

  • Pray for strength and perseverance for Christians in prison.
  • Pray for Christians from ethnic minority groups, like the Hmong, who face great pressure to return to traditional beliefs.
  • Pray for safety for those distributing Open Doors’ Illustrated Children’s Bible. Importing Christian materials is prohibited.

PERSECUTION DYNAMICS

Vietnam streetVietnam is one of the remaining countries in the world following a Communist ideology. The authorities still perceive Christianity as a foreign influence and Christians from a tribal background like the Hmong face pressure to return to traditional faith, especially in rural areas. Gatherings are suspected as meetings to plot against the government and are closely monitored.

Obtaining recognition for churches or permission to renovate a church building is a long process. In 2012, at least seven churches, all Catholic, were confiscated. Training of leaders has to be done secretly and integrating converts has to be done very cautiously. Importing Christian materials is prohibited. Christians face violence and are sent to prison, not officially because of their faith, but because of ‘anti-government’ propaganda. It is unlikely that the situation will change substantially in the coming years.

ANECDOTAL ACCOUNT – “Vietnamese Authorities Hire Gangsters to Harass Christians” (Open Doors)

Pastor Training
Pastor Training

“Kneel! Kneel!” shouted a village thug. Unfazed by the threats, Pastor Vinh* stood his ground. In Vinh’s culture, kneeling is seen as an admission of guilt. Although authorities prohibited planting of new churches, Vinh would not allow their threats to stop him from spreading the gospel message.

“He was one of the most promising students in the class,” explained by Vinh’s spiritual mentor. “He was very passionate to share God’s word and had a deep love for Jesus.”

The leader of the gang began battering Vinh’s knee with a lead pipe in an attempt to force the pastor to his knees. The tall and well-built, 24-year-old Bible school student endured the series of blows and still refused to kneel. Continue reading “Please pray for Christians in Vietnam – World Watch List #21” →

Morning Reading: Acts 2.42-47 NLT – model community

Reading: Acts 2.42-47 NLT

Members of the Rutba House in Durham, N.C., gather for meals and morning and evening prayer.
Members of the Rutba House in Durham, N.C., gather for meals and morning and evening prayer.

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Prayer: Heavenly Father – Make me a believer who is devoted to learning… to breaking bread with others… and to prayer. Holy Spirit – Give me a spirit of joy and generosity… freely sharing with those in need. Lord Jesus – May my life and witness bring honor to you… and may you add to your number those who are being saved. Amen.

Devotional Song: “A Morning Prayer” – Godinsight4me

Morning Reading: Acts 2.14-21 NLT – signs and wonders

Reading: Acts 2:14-21 NLT

Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem!

“Make no mistake about this. These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that.

“No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:

image

‘In the last days,’ God says,

‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy.

And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below— blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.

But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved….’”

Prayer: Heavenly Father – Pour out your Spirit on us today. Speak words of prophecy… show us dreams and visions… fill your servants with your Spirit. Give us the words to speak that will turn this generation to you… people from every tribe and nation. I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Spiritual  Song: “How Great Is Our God” – Chris Tomlin

Morning Reading: Acts 2.1-13 NLT – amazed

Reading: Acts 2:1-13 NLT

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.

image
Pentecost by He Qi

Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”

They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other. But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”

Prayer: Heavenly Father – Give me the patience and persistence in prayer of these early believers… to wait expectantly for the outpouring of your Spirit. And when he comes, give me the boldness to praise you and tell others about the wonderful things you have done in Jesus Christ… in whatever culture or language you place me. Come Holy Spirit… rain down… on me. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Holy Spirit Rain Down” – Russell Fragar