The Persecuted Church

[mominbolt]

In China, he looked into the faces of those bearing the scars of imprisonment, torture, and beatings for their faith in Christ. Some were young girls, 15 to 17 years of age. "With swollen faces they tried to smile through their broken lips. They never complained." said Dr. Roland Vaughan, director of Church of God World Missions.

China's history since the Second World War has been characterized by the persecution of Christians, and many have been imprisoned and killed there for their faith. In spite of all this, the church is very much alive in China and millions worship in house churches.

Reputable Chinese sources say it is difficult to know for certain how many people are being converted to Christ in China, but it is generally believed that about 25,000 are becoming believers in Christ everyday.

Watchman Nee, a renowned spiritual leader of the Chinese people, helped establish local churches in China. In his well-known book, The Normal Christian Life, Nee comments on the passage in John 12:3, that tells of Mary breaking a box of precious ointment to anoint Jesus, and of the sweet aroma finning the room.

Nee says, "Whenever you meet someone who has really suffered....and who...has been willing to be imprisoned by Him, and has this learned to fins satisfaction in the Lord and nowhere wlse---then, immediately...your spiritual senses detect a sweet savor of Christ. Something has been crushed ...broken in that life...God dares to put his greatest ambassadors in chains."

Watchman Nee's words became self-fulfilling prophecy. He was imprisoned in 1952, and remained so until his death in 1972. Great ambassadors of God like Watchman Nee and the apostle Paul were imprisoned for their faith in Christ, but the Word of God remains free.

In the face of persecution, God enables His church to march on like a mighty army. Join me in daily prayer for the persecuted church: O Lord, Grant your soldiers grace and courage to endure as faithful witnesses, and help us to understand that "to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Amen.

(For more information about the persecuted church in China, go to: www.ChinaAid.org."

-Irma B. Williams

[RettsMom]

Apr. 20, 2009 at 9:40 PM

[mbrown]

Apr. 20, 2009 at 10:34 PM

This information is so amazing in so many ways. First of all we here in America have the freedom to look and read this without fear to death and secondly because it shows that our Lord's love for us has no boundaries! That is why I love John 3:16-21 so much. God sent his son Jesus for everyone! His gift of eternal life is free to those who put their trust in Him.

Pray without Ceasing!

[wv3mom]

Apr. 20, 2009 at 11:07 PM

Very informative! It is truly a shame in today's day and time there is still so much persucution going on! It just goes to show us that we need God more than ever in America! And we need to educate all of his wondrous glory and boundless blessings.I pray America will stand for God and not let the rest of the world dictate to us what should be politically correct.Let America stand for that in which it was founded on....God and nothing but! Love this,Great post! Love you,Maryann

[cmlkb]

Apr. 21, 2009 at 1:00 AM

Interesting that you posted this. i have a very dear friend living in China and is a remarkable soldier for the Lord, a christian unlike most I've met here in the states. True miracles are happening there. So many are totally yeilded to the Lord from what I hear. These deserve a place of honor as well as our prayers.

[moomers]

Apr. 21, 2009 at 11:45 AM

bump

[RepentantSinner]

Apr. 22, 2009 at 9:00 AM

I recently was watching one of Joyce Meyer's shows where she did a special on the underground churches in China, and all the things that they are doing over there. There is definitely great things going on over there! Praise the Lord!