Thursday, March 19, 2015

In The Face Of Evil



Hey Friend,

Ever since Sunday, when I received news of the two tandem suicide bombing attacks upon two churches 650 yards apart in Lahore, Pakistan, I could feel my heart in my stomach.  For several days I was rocked with feelings and emotions I didn't know I could have. 

Why?  Many in the world read the news with disdain or perhaps casual indifference.  It was another attack by the Taliban or ISIS in a part of the world that was halfway around the globe.  It wasn't on US soil or worse yet, in our neighborhood.  No, we were safe and busy filling in our brackets for March Madness.

So why did I find myself sobbing?  Incapacitated even?  Because I know people that lived in the neighborhood within a five minute walk to both of those churches.  I know names and faces and smiles and wide-eyed wonder that inhabits bodies that walk those streets.  I even know someone that was in one of the churches when the bomb detonated and blew body parts into the air.  I saw pictures of the aftermath.  To me, this was real...these were real people...God's children.

I challenge you...if I asked you to point to Pakistan or (most recently) Tunisia on the map, could you?

If not...why not?

In the Bible, Matthew 28:16-20 is called "The Great Commission".  In it Jesus is talking to his disciples -his closest friends and followers- and tells them in verse 19:

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..."

What exactly is a disciple?  Easton's Bible Dictionary says:

A disciple of Christ is one who believes his (Jesus') doctrine, rests on his sacrifice, imbibes his spirit, and imitates his example.

If we call ourselves believers, then we should be disciples...

So how can we make disciples of all nations if we don't know where, and more importantly who, they are?  As a writer and blogger, I have certainly been convicted of my lack of knowledge on several occasions.  My blog statistics are able to tell me where - what part of the globe - my readers are tuning in from.  Thanks to internet and mass media, I have readers all across the globe (this I am continually amazed by).  I admit I have Countries and Republics show up under "Audience" that I could not tell you exactly where they are on a map.  Shame on me!!  Incentive to learn accomplished.

The good news of this is that The Good News is reaching Nations around the globe and reaching them with amazing speed.

I am but one tiny blogger in a sea of thousands of bloggers reaching out to the world through cyberspace. What I would like to tell the world is that we care...that we really do care. 


It's almost Easter, so crosses will be appearing everywhere.  Stand and gaze at one.  Follow the northern most point of the cross, which if followed, would extend to Heaven.  Follow the eastern and western points and imagine them extending out to others (like outstretched arms) around the globe...encircling people of all colors and nationalities with their love.  Finally, follow the southern most point that descends down to earth and even further to the depths of hell, where ultimately Christ will be victorious over sin, and evil, and death. 


What amazing news...that Jesus will triumph over sin and death.  He will fly in the very face of evil and defeat it...forever!


Isn't this news worth sharing?


If you think that the Good News of the Bible is worth sharing, would you join me in doing so?  Together, let's not let these horrific tragedies go un-met.  Let's not turn an indifferent eye to these atrocities. 

In honor and memory of those who have died around the globe, let's fly in the face of evil and tell the Nations of the Good News of the Bible.

How?:  Let's place Bibles in the hands of the innocent children who live and learn in the epicenter of evil.  Darkness may be at their doorstep, but we can put light into their hands.

This Easter season of Hope, will you join me at my "Missions" tab and donate enough to put a Bible or several Bibles in the hands of children who are hungry for words of hope??  I pray that you will...

Lord, help me...help us to be ambassadors of hope to Nations around the globe.  Help me to not turn a blind eye toward those who need to read and hear your word.  Enable me to take my role as a disciple seriously so that all the world might know.  Be with those who, in the aftermath of attacks, need your presence, your healing, and your love.
In Jesus' name,  Amen.

Be blessed...




14 comments:

  1. Hi Bev,

    In addition to giving money which we definitely need to do, is to get a copy of Operation World. It is a book whose sole purpose is to help pray for the nations. Another way is to read World Magazine. I liken World Magazine to a christian Time Magazine, but they also bring to our attention events from another perspective, and will report on the events no one else will, including persecution, and ongoing events in these nations concerning believers. Voice of the Martyrs also has a monthly newsletter of the persecuted church, and other materials to educate people to believers in other countries, and their needs. They also meets the needs of those being persecuted going under cover to bring encouragement. Gospel for Asia also has a presence in reaching the nationals. There are other publications that will help in prayer and in giving, as well as staying updated of Anosh's school and giving and praying.

    When we become broken over the things that break the heart of God, we are hearing God's heartbeat. He desires all people to hear and receive Him. And Paul wrote of us as being in chains as he is, supporting those who are suffering just for following Jesus, and risking themselves to tell others of Jesus.

    Stay the course Bev, God has started opening your heart to His heart and He will continue to open His heart. He also desires we as believers see and meet the needs of others, and grieve with those who grieve, and rejoice with those who rejoice.

    {{Hugs}},

    Joanne

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    1. Joanne,
      Thank you so much for having a heart that truly cares! I am familiar with a couple of the resources you mention, but will have to look into them further. Thank you, as always, for being a guiding star that points me in the right direction...I can't say how much I value your insight! God really has awakened in me a need to use my words to bring hope and healing to even a small segment of the population. I have learned so much from those who literally risk their lives to spread the gospel. Thanks again for coming alongside me with encouragement!
      Love and ((hugs)) friend,
      Bev

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  2. HI Bev,
    Thank you so so much for your blog post. Thanks for going where not many people would go on this topic. I am so sorry that you are experiencing the pain and upset of the problems in Pakistan. I do want to let you know that you are not the only one out there. My husband and I are experiencing it from both side. And we feel like we have no support. We have a dear couple that is over there with their three children. He is a teacher and she is a mom. Then we have several Muslim friends who live here in the US in PA that have family in Pakistan right where all the ISIS activity is going on. And NO they are not part of ISIS. And we have had discussions with some of our Christian Brothers and Sisters that believe that all Muslims are or can be radical, that they are "allowed" to be according to the Koran. My husband and I take the approach that you should always ask the person in front of you what THEY believe. NEVER generalize a people group. How would we as Christians like to be generalized? In saying things like we can bomb an abortion clinic and that is okay? So, anyway...they are not radical and their families are caught in this crossfire and they can not get out. They can not leave. This is their home. They do not have a mission agency. Or they can't call on friends like our friends to send money for tickets to get them out. And right now Pakistan is not issuing travel visas. I am so so heart broken. How do I minister to these people? How do I explain that Jesus would allow this? The Jesus that they think is a prophet? They know he is wise and good....but to go to the next "level" and then allows this? When I was in Jordan I took the Injil because Muslims are instructed to read it. I prayed that they would not just put it on their bookshelf. Knowing that even Christians do that for a season and then read it sometimes. I pray that we would purchase Bibles, my husband and I every month purchase Bibles through another program. Then they send them out to a country in need. What a wonderful program. Praying that this Easter season The Middle East, North Africa and Northern Asia will start the healing process. And may the Americans be able to name the countries in this area!! Thanks again Bev. So glad to find your site!!

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    1. BJ,
      First, welcome...so glad you're here! What you point out is true - that not every person of the Muslim faith is part of ISIS or other extremist factions. I will pray for your friends, both here in the States and those who cannot get out of Pakistan. It is wrong to generalize about people according to their nationality. I believe the first step in ministering to others about the Christian faith is first, earning their trust and a right to speak. It sounds like, through the love you have poured out on your friends, that you have earned their trust. Telling them your story or testimony is always a good start, because people can argue theology, but they can't argue your personal story with Christ. I also remind people that when God created the world - way back to Adam and Eve - there was no sin, or pain or evil. God, however, loved man (his creation) so much that He gave him free will - ability to choose between good and evil. Once Adam and Eve chose, sin entered the world and we have seen the effects of it ever since...right up to the modern day ISIS evil. Each of us, though we may not commit atrocities like ISIS, sin. We cannot earn or do enough good works to get to Heaven. That's why we need Jesus. He is the bridge between our painful life here on earth and our eternity free of pain and suffering in Heaven. Christianity is the only religion that offers Grace in place of works or good deeds as a way of entering Heaven. I find that when sharing the gospel with those of another faith, simpler is better. I will pray for you as you interact and witness to those around you. Thanks for your wise words here!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  3. Bev ... this is a gentle reminder, a prayer prompt, a wake-up call.

    May the Spirit keep nudging us to be sensitive, faithful in prayer, and less self-absorbed.

    Blessings, friend ...

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    1. Linda,
      Agreeing with you in your prayer that we would be more sensitive, faithful in prayer and less self-absorbed. I admit it is very hard for me to accept indifference to the suffering of others. Thanks for your encouragement here!
      Blessings to you, Linda,
      Bev xx

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  4. Beautiful reminder, Bev, to keep the nations in our prayers. Each face (and many more) shown on the headlines is a person with a story. A person with hopes and fears, a person who needs Jesus and our compassion that leads to action and drives us to our knees and to reach out in the name of God.

    Cheering you on, Bev! #RaRaLinkup

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    1. Crystal,
      You are so right that each face we see in the headlines is a person with a story...a person that God dearly loves. Thank you for being a person with compassion who will pray and reach out. May all our hearts be softened...
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  5. Oh Bev, this is definitely news worth sharing. I believe here in America it is so easy for us to become indifferent to what is going on around the world if it doesn't directly affect us but that is not what God has called us to do. What is happening is absolutely heartbreaking and I thank God for women like you who are compassionate and willing to share the truth.

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    1. Abby,
      I sadly admit that I get lulled into indifference to all the suffering in the world. I think God knew that I needed a wake up call and made my path cross with this community in Pakistan. When we see the hopes, the fears, the dreams, and the hearts behind these faces...we begin to see as God sees. Thanks for urging me on!
      ((Hugs)),
      Bev

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  6. Great reminder of the heart of our missionary God. I have been thankful in the process of homeschooling my kids to be able to review my geography, and to use maps as prayer reminders. Blessings to you and glad to have met you at Coffee for your Heart.

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    1. Thanks Michele,
      So glad you stopped by! Geography lessons are great reminders to pray for the people of the countries we are identifying or studying...love this!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  7. Hi Bev,
    What an inspiration to read your words that inspire us to pray for those around the world and help in any way we can. I love this idea of being ambassadors of hope -- if we don't do it, who will? Thank you for these thought-provoking words, friend!

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    1. Hi Valerie,
      People in these war torn countries desperately need hope and they want to know that they are not forgotten by the rest of the world. You are so right...if we don't do it, who will? Thank you for joining me in prayer!!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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