We were so blessed to join in fellowship this morning with our brothers and sisters at the "Lighthouse Fellowship" in Altoona, PA. I found it a bit difficult to wake up as early as the regular attendants there, and Justin, who had invited and made arrangements with the leaders for us to lead the worship, found my grumbling and half closed eyes very amusing! But I’m sure the Lord had the biggest smile of all as He foreknew what had been awaiting us as we began to lead in song. The majority of those in attendance had been the men who make up the fellowship, and when they rose their voices in unison, I was absolutely blown away! The volume and sheer beauty was all that I needed and far surpassed what ANY cup of coffee could’ve done to wake me up!
If that hadn’t been enough of a surprise and blessing, we again had the privilege of listening to an anointed servant from the Voice of the Martyrs. Darcie Gill, a Mission Representative from Voice of the Martyrs spoke with us about the persecution of our brothers and sisters in those countries where the freedom to worship our Lord comes with a price, that price is usually imprisonment.
I was so moved as I returned home that morning. After viewing a dvd from VOM, I found a statement at the end that spoke of a female Christian Chinese prisoner making Christmas lights. I sought the internet to find out more when it truly hit me. The tiny lights that we display at Christmas time and maybe even throughout the year for various occasions as I often do, are made by our brothers and sisters in Christ who are imprisoned in China. Most often times they are Pastors of churches there. They do not ask that we boycott the sale of these lights, but they do ask us to remember them and their families in prayer.
We usually shy away from news like this don’t we? Is it because we feel helpless here in the US? Is it because we ourselves cannot fathom that type of persecution? There is something that we can do and it can be found in the Word. In Hebrews 13:3 we find this;
Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. NLT
We are instructed to remember them. For they are a part of the body. When they suffer, we suffer.
The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance. 1 Corinth. 12:26 TMB
In remembering our persecuted brothers and sisters the focus is turned from ourselves to them and ultimately toward heaven and Christ. I will now look upon these lights with a deep, deep love and gratitude. They have been made by a part of our very selves, by the body of Christ in China. May they sense our love and prayers for them. May they know by the power of Him who sustains them that we are lifting them up in prayer and supplication. There are some other ways that you can help support the families of those who are in prison in China.
Visit the Lights of Christmas website; http://www.thelightsofchristmas.org where you can read more on this topic.
You can also visit this web site, Treasures From China http://luciaclaborn.com/?page_id=16 where you can find beautiful pearls made by the underground church in China. Your support will help these families.
church in china, persecuted church
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