The persecuted Jesus
The persecuted Jesus
What name is this
that men, women and children
lay down their lives for!?
What have they seen in Him!?!
What way had He revealed
Himself to them
that He is so compelling,
so full of wonder
and so true?
What power drives them
to the death row,
that beckons them,
they willingly and smiling go!
What kind of name is this
that when they speak out loud
with courage and in trust
they are enchained
and put in prisons,
and when they’re trodden down and tortured
they sing His glorious Name!!!
What splendour crowns this name!?!
that drives fear out of their hearts
defies the persecutors’ hate
yet love their souls!?!
What majesty’s around this name
that they cannot but spread with cost of life!?!
yet with our very eyes have failed to see
and have an image far too dim and faded
of this celestial king!?!
This name we grow up with
this very One is so life-changing
but is the least esteemed.
That way He has revealed to them
that thirst and long for Him,
but we just get familiar with
and take for granted
what’s blood paid.
That power is for everyone who wants it,
It’s fuel for every step in furnace
and in front of sword.
This kind of name we barely speak of
we hide ourselves,
don’t want to be embarrassed of,
and stay silent when people talk about.
That splendour is around His name
but we are just too slack to crave for,
too blind, too burdened in our sins,
too weak to see Him.
That majesty’s around this name
but we don’t even know of.
He waits for us to share it,
to taste of Him and pass it on.
This name is all that Father God
has given us to bring us life,
to make us new
by the blood of His cross
and by the faith in Him
to come to be like Him.
To live for Him and die for Him.
They leave their life
to die into their faith.
We leave our faith
to die out of our life.
This is the Man that called them
to the altar
This is the Man that called us
to give our lives for Him.
This is the persecuted Jesus Christ.
- Sabina Rosca
The Fatherless
The Fatherless
So many children all over the earth are devoid of family,
love and wealth.
Scratching a living in whatever way they can,
no home, no food and a short life span.
Secret Church, November 2011
The tickets contained no venue, no address, just the date and time along with instructions: get to Baker Street tube station for 6:15pm and find the girl in the orange coat reading a newspaper; she will give you further instructions. The adventure of faith had begun.
Outside the station stood a person chained to a lamppost singing Amazing Grace; further on a prisoner sat in a cage reading a Bible. People floated through the crowds wearing handcuffs. Each scene reflected the price that some people are prepared to pay to follow Jesus.
A bouncer stopped people at the door: Did you bring a Bible? No. Did anyone follow you? No. Finally through the door, the Church gathered; welcoming smiles, beautiful music and friendly faces.
This church building was simply a room. A room with black walls, a musty smell and a broken light yet there was freedom.
There were no chairs; instead we found a space on the floor.
There was no projector screen; instead there was a white sheet duct taped to the wall.
There was no bread or wine for communion; instead we shared grapes.
We passed-the-parcel singing We Are Family.
We said the Lord’s Prayer in complete darkness.
This was a church service like none I had ever experienced.
When the service ended we gathered outside to light Prayer Lanterns labeled Hope, Family, Share and Life, and watched with wonder as our Prayer Lanterns floated off into the night sky. As people wandered towards the station to head home, the path that had once been lined with scenes of persecution was now lined with candles; there is always light, no matter how dark it may seem.
So how do we support those in our family for whom Secret Church isn’t just for one night?
- Pray: we share their struggles, their dreams and their fears.
- Cry justice: sign petitions, campaign, lobby and add our voice.
- Give: whatever we have, whatever we can, to make their burdens lighter and to let others know of their story.
- Let them inspire us: Those who suffer for the gospel remind us that the Good News of Jesus is worth suffering for. Their stories show us that we cannot allow fear or mediocrity to prevent us from stepping out in faith and striving to see God’s Kingdom come here on Earth.
Acts 14:22
We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God
December Change Maker Challenge
Monthly Challenge…
This month Change Makers are being challenged to purposefully carve out time, amidst the busyness of life, to be more available for God to use.
Each week in December, we challenge you to change your routine at least once. Whether it’s a different route to school or work, a different location for lunch, starting a conversation with somebody at a bus stop. You are challenged to step out of your usual story and just see what happens.
You might want to pray for inspiration that morning. Ask God: ‘What can I do differently today, so that I am more aware of what you’re doing and where you would like me to go?’
You might want to pray as you do the new thing. Ask God: ‘Who can I speak to?’ ‘What can I do?’ ‘What can I say that will help someone know the God story of hope, restoration and relationship?’
December is such a busy time. You’ll be rushing around the shops last- minute present-buying. Your diary may be full of Christmas parties, family get-togethers or just too much good stuff on TV. However, we are challenging you to be a Change Maker at home. And that starts by stepping out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary with God.
Release Potential will be doing this challenge too, and we will let you know how we got on in January. Please do send us your stories so we can share in your testimony and hear about what God is up to!
December Change Makers
This month Change Makers are exploring how to be a Change Maker at home.
Check out Josh's story about what he's up to in London.
Read our devotion on John 20
Take on the December challenge.
If you haven't already signed up to be a Change Maker with Release Potential: click here and be the first to hear the stories, be inspired and take on the challenge of being a Change Maker for Jesus.
A Tale of Two Stories
Change Makers December: A Tale of Two Stories
Take a look at John 20:1-16 and you’ll see what I mean.
Be a Link in the Christmas Chain
A Christian prisoner in Cuba was asked to sign a statement containing charges against fellow Christians that would lead to their arrest.He said: 'The chain keeps me from signing this.'The Communist officer protested, 'But you are not in chains!''I am,' said the Christian. 'I am bound by the chain of witnesses who throughout the centuries gave their lives for Jesus Christ. I am a link in this chain. I will not break it.'
You are not alone
You are not alone
Lape Odebode, London
Think.
Think about how many times you go to church in a year; how many times you mention God's name in everyday conversation; how many times you've taken your bible out on a bus or let someone know that you were on the way to church; how many times you've indicated 'Christian' on a form, gone into a Christian book shop or reached out to someone, anyone, in the world around you.
Faces
Today, I arrived at my desk to find a selection of yummy biscuits. So I ate some!
They’re ‘office biscuits’ though – for the International team that I sit across from. So I played nice and decided to share.
The International team here work with the partners on the ground in countries where Christians are persecuted. I overhear Skype calls with people from all over the world, where projects, visas and trips are discussed. I’ve realised how sensitive some of this work is.
