Missionary Broadcasting.com

I read two very appropriate articles today that I wanted to pass along. I trust we are remembering the reason this day is celebrated and thanking God for the principles expressed in the following entries:

• Don’t Waste Your Freedom
• The Signers of the Declaration of Independence

Some of the best selling Christian books in the United States tell believers how to confront “difficulty”. Messages of encouragement in “hard times” bombard us on evangelical radio and television. Fortunately (or unfortunately) however, most Americans have no concept of what true hardship looks like. That is why we need reminders, like this one, regarding a very real crisis in Kenya. While we are traveling to multi-million dollar bookstores in our air-conditioned SUV’s, where we buy $25 self-help books on “coping with the harsh realities of life”, others learn by experience. We ought to praise God today for our quality of life, and learn to pray for brothers and sisters in Christ around the world that face disaster and death.

I find myself returning often to a blog written by a church-planter in China. His writing style is informal, but often passionate and convicting. I was reminded of our tremendous freedom while reading Hide! It’s a Visitor. When you visit, be sure to browse the Archives and check out his Blogroll too. I think you will find yourself encouraged, and perhaps prompted to witness more urgently where you live.

“And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.” We continue to see the persecution of Paul in this chapter. As with all organized oppression of Christianity, the evidence is falsified. How can a power structure justly eliminate the good Christians brings to society? Disciples of Christ, by their very nature, bring improvement to the cultures in which they minister. Therefore trial of the brethren must rely on lies, falsified evidence, and illegitimate witnesses. Just as God takes action in perfect harmony with His character, performing His works in holiness, justice, love, and grace; the enemy operates in an equally authentic fashion. He was a liar from the beginning, ever seeking to undermine the honest and righteous working of God. Paul is enduring the false accusation that is typical of Satan. Those who live Godly in Christ will likely face such wicked treachery. It would be wise for us to keep the tactics of our enemy in mind, so as not to be surprised when they come upon us.