The word martyr is only used twice in the whole Bible. However, if you look up what it means in the Greek, it's literal meaning is "a witness". This is very interesting to me. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church, witnessed not only with his words, but also his death (Acts 7).
T.S. Eliot described a martyr as one "who has become an instrument of God, who has lost his will in the will of God, not lost it but found it, for he has found freedom in submission to God. The martyr no longer desires anything for himself, not even the glory of martyrdom."
What do you think a martyr is?
Showing posts with label martyrs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label martyrs. Show all posts
Monday, October 5, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Living Martyrs
Living martyrs....Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it? How can you be living and yet a martyr? I would propose that there are such people as living martyrs.
Think of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. They were told to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, but they refused. The king got extremely angry and declared that the three Hebrews should be thrown into a fiery furnace. How did the three Hebrews reply?
"O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he well deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you set up." (Daniel 3:16b-18)
These young men had made up their minds to follow the Lord even when it, in all probability, would cost them their lives. They were prepared to follow God even if that meant it would lead them into a fiery furnace.
The Lord did protect them, even when they were thrown into the fire. When they got out of the furnace, they came out without even so much as the smell of fire on them! So, I believe that these young men were living martyrs because they stood for the Lord, the king tried killing them, but their lives were miraculously saved.
Can you think of any more examples of living martyrs?
Think of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. They were told to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, but they refused. The king got extremely angry and declared that the three Hebrews should be thrown into a fiery furnace. How did the three Hebrews reply?
"O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he well deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you set up." (Daniel 3:16b-18)
These young men had made up their minds to follow the Lord even when it, in all probability, would cost them their lives. They were prepared to follow God even if that meant it would lead them into a fiery furnace.
The Lord did protect them, even when they were thrown into the fire. When they got out of the furnace, they came out without even so much as the smell of fire on them! So, I believe that these young men were living martyrs because they stood for the Lord, the king tried killing them, but their lives were miraculously saved.
Can you think of any more examples of living martyrs?
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Martyr's Song
Well, I'm always looking for good books, fiction or non-fiction, and boy are there some good ones out there!
I'm not going to go into any details about The Martyr's Song because it's a shortish book and because I'd be afraid that I'd give a lot of details away. Just suffice it it to say, this is one good Christian novel! I got it from the library and within an hour, I had read it.
Thank you Ceira for telling me about this book!
I'm not going to go into any details about The Martyr's Song because it's a shortish book and because I'd be afraid that I'd give a lot of details away. Just suffice it it to say, this is one good Christian novel! I got it from the library and within an hour, I had read it.
Thank you Ceira for telling me about this book!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The Martyr's Way
They stood before the king
One thing only did he ask
"Bow the knee, and go free"
Breathing a silent prayer to God
In unison the group resolves
Never to bow or deny
The Christ who died for them
Parents loose sight of children
Husbands torn from their wives
Why?
All done for their love for One
After the fire dies down
And their souls have been set free
There is one who stands gazing at the embers
As he turns, resolve written on his face
God hears a prayer
Another has entered the "Martyr's Way"
Willing to face anything, even death
Just like the One who forged this Way
Written by Jordan Clark
4-27-09
One thing only did he ask
"Bow the knee, and go free"
Breathing a silent prayer to God
In unison the group resolves
Never to bow or deny
The Christ who died for them
Parents loose sight of children
Husbands torn from their wives
Why?
All done for their love for One
After the fire dies down
And their souls have been set free
There is one who stands gazing at the embers
As he turns, resolve written on his face
God hears a prayer
Another has entered the "Martyr's Way"
Willing to face anything, even death
Just like the One who forged this Way
Written by Jordan Clark
4-27-09
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Foxe: Voices of the Martyrs
Foxe:Voices of the Martyrs, is a book for all Christians to read. It begins with the Apostles and how they died and take you all the way through history up to about the year, 2005.
Through reading, Foxe: Voices of the Martyrs, I have been challenged in my own faith in multiple ways. One major way would be the necessity of knowing and being in the Word. It's our life source!
Here's what some are saying about it:
Check this link out and buy the book!
Through reading, Foxe: Voices of the Martyrs, I have been challenged in my own faith in multiple ways. One major way would be the necessity of knowing and being in the Word. It's our life source!
Here's what some are saying about it:
"FOXE: Voices of the Martyrs is the one book none of us want to be in, but it's
the one book which should be in the hands of every Christian, and chained to
every pulpit." ~Ray Comfort
Check this link out and buy the book!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Review of the book, Safely Home
I recently re-read a novel about the persecuted church in China. In Safely Home by Randy Alcorn, two worlds collide. After not seeing each other for twenty years, Ben Fielding, a wealthy American business executive, and Li Quan, a humble Chinese locksmith, are thrust into each other’s lives again. They had been roommates at Harvard years ago, but have had little contact since those times. That was when Ben thought he was a Christian and Quan had been a selfish, communist boy. However, Quan becomes a Christian and after graduating, heads back to China to answer the call of God on his life.
The years pass and Ben Fielding becomes the Vice President of a multi-million dollar, international business. He has gone through a divorce, he is estranged from his children, and he thinks life is all about him and making money. God has been crowded out of Ben’s life and he even fires his own cousin for taking a public stand for his Christian faith.
At what appears to be a normal business meeting, Ben’s boss throws out his “wonderful” plan to further the company’s foothold in China. Why not have someone from their company stay with a Chinese family? That way they’d be able to say the company knows China because they’ve lived there. Martin Getz, the president of the company and Ben’s boss, remembers that Ben Fielding’s old college roommate was Chinese. Ben is then told to find Li Quan and see if he can stay with him for six weeks! This is most definitely not to Ben’s liking, but he has his secretary begin a search for Quan.
Once Quan was found, Ben journeys overseas and stays with Quan’s family. On all his other trips, Ben Fielding has enjoyed the finest of all China has to offer. Dinner at the best restaurants, all the drinks he needs, and anything else he desires. When he arrives at Li Quan’s home, Ben is in for a rude awakening. The house isn’t the posh hotels he’d stayed at or the nice homes of his Chinese associates. It’s just a small, one room brick house, with a chicken coop and outhouse in the back, nothing too impressive by the world’s standards. This was just the beginning of the shock Ben was in for.
To cut a long story short, Ben starts realizing that the sterilized picture he’d seen of China on the news and on his business trips wasn’t all there was to the country. He had always thought religious freedom was allowed by the communist party and that there were fair human rights, but he finds out his old college roommate has been imprisoned multiple times for going to a house church and distributing Bibles. Near the end of the story, Mr. Fielding realizes that he was never truly born again and becomes a Christian due to the unwavering witness of Quan - even while he is in prison.
This novel is what stirred me up for the persecuted church when I read it the first time several years ago. On reading it again, I would have to say that God has again renewed my passion to get the message of the Persecuted out and for praying for our brothers and sister who are suffering for Christ’s sake. This book brings the cold realities of what Christians are going through in China to the light. I highly recommend it.
The years pass and Ben Fielding becomes the Vice President of a multi-million dollar, international business. He has gone through a divorce, he is estranged from his children, and he thinks life is all about him and making money. God has been crowded out of Ben’s life and he even fires his own cousin for taking a public stand for his Christian faith.
At what appears to be a normal business meeting, Ben’s boss throws out his “wonderful” plan to further the company’s foothold in China. Why not have someone from their company stay with a Chinese family? That way they’d be able to say the company knows China because they’ve lived there. Martin Getz, the president of the company and Ben’s boss, remembers that Ben Fielding’s old college roommate was Chinese. Ben is then told to find Li Quan and see if he can stay with him for six weeks! This is most definitely not to Ben’s liking, but he has his secretary begin a search for Quan.
Once Quan was found, Ben journeys overseas and stays with Quan’s family. On all his other trips, Ben Fielding has enjoyed the finest of all China has to offer. Dinner at the best restaurants, all the drinks he needs, and anything else he desires. When he arrives at Li Quan’s home, Ben is in for a rude awakening. The house isn’t the posh hotels he’d stayed at or the nice homes of his Chinese associates. It’s just a small, one room brick house, with a chicken coop and outhouse in the back, nothing too impressive by the world’s standards. This was just the beginning of the shock Ben was in for.
To cut a long story short, Ben starts realizing that the sterilized picture he’d seen of China on the news and on his business trips wasn’t all there was to the country. He had always thought religious freedom was allowed by the communist party and that there were fair human rights, but he finds out his old college roommate has been imprisoned multiple times for going to a house church and distributing Bibles. Near the end of the story, Mr. Fielding realizes that he was never truly born again and becomes a Christian due to the unwavering witness of Quan - even while he is in prison.
This novel is what stirred me up for the persecuted church when I read it the first time several years ago. On reading it again, I would have to say that God has again renewed my passion to get the message of the Persecuted out and for praying for our brothers and sister who are suffering for Christ’s sake. This book brings the cold realities of what Christians are going through in China to the light. I highly recommend it.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Martyr-of uncertain affinity; a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr":-- martyr, record, witness. (Strongs Greek)
Those who die for their faith in Jesus Christ are commonly called "martyrs". They truly are witnesses, their life and testimony shine to those who are persecuting them, to those who witness their suffering, and to those who are left behind.
Please pray for these witnesses for Jesus as they are persecuted and martyred for Him.
"When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, 'O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?' Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been." (Revelation 6:9-11 ESV)
Those who die for their faith in Jesus Christ are commonly called "martyrs". They truly are witnesses, their life and testimony shine to those who are persecuting them, to those who witness their suffering, and to those who are left behind.
Please pray for these witnesses for Jesus as they are persecuted and martyred for Him.
"When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, 'O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?' Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been." (Revelation 6:9-11 ESV)
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Praying for Persecuted Believers
Have you ever wondered how to pray for persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ? Below you will find several suggestions.
1. Read Books or Magazines
Reading is a great way to stay up-to-date on the issues and challenges faced by believers all over the world.
Voice of the Martyrs has a monthly newsletter that they send out free. It has stories from around the world that have specific prayer requests. http://www.persecution.com/
You can also check out books by various authors on this subject. One of my favorite authors is Brother Andrew (no he's not Catholic). He has written a couple of books on persecution in the Middle East. They are called, Light Force and Secret Believers. I highly recommend them.
2. Check out Websites
Here are several that I use:
http://www.persecution.com/
http://www.secretbelievers.org/home.aspx
http://www.compassdirect.org/en/display.php
3. Picture Youself in Their Place
Mentally placing yourself in the persecuted believers "shoes" is another way to know how to pray. Think of ways you'd need the Lord to help you and then pray that way for them.
4. Just Trust
Trust the Lord to lead you in your praying for those in bonds.
1. Read Books or Magazines
Reading is a great way to stay up-to-date on the issues and challenges faced by believers all over the world.
Voice of the Martyrs has a monthly newsletter that they send out free. It has stories from around the world that have specific prayer requests. http://www.persecution.com/
You can also check out books by various authors on this subject. One of my favorite authors is Brother Andrew (no he's not Catholic). He has written a couple of books on persecution in the Middle East. They are called, Light Force and Secret Believers. I highly recommend them.
2. Check out Websites
Here are several that I use:
http://www.persecution.com/
http://www.secretbelievers.org/home.aspx
http://www.compassdirect.org/en/display.php
3. Picture Youself in Their Place
Mentally placing yourself in the persecuted believers "shoes" is another way to know how to pray. Think of ways you'd need the Lord to help you and then pray that way for them.
4. Just Trust
Trust the Lord to lead you in your praying for those in bonds.
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