It is late but I need to write! In the last two weeks since I’ve returned from Training camp I’ve been listening to a song I learned there called “You make me brave”. It has been my theme song as I’ve been struggling these last two weeks with illness, inner battles, exhaustion, and discouragement. The words “Your love in wave after wave, crashes over me. You make me brave. You called me out beyond the shores into the waves” has washed over me and made me feel stronger! I am BRAVE because Jesus makes me brave! I am heading into the lions den this year but I have confidence that Jesus will close the lions mouths and protect me!
So tonight I put on this theme song, loaded up my facebook, and saw a link. I opened it and started reading about Isis……. I read words like “children beheaded” and “mothers raped and fathers hung” about fellow Christians. I was shocked and stunned, but something else happened as I read. I could hear the words behind me echoing “You make me brave” as I sat there reading about the bravest people on earth. My heart aches, and breaks inside of me as I read about the atrocities but then I go to think about those who are dying, and their bravery. Jesus is who they are, and they will not deny him, even to their death. They are dying for Jesus! How crazy and wild is that? It is still so hard for me to fathom! I am not happy! I am not thrilled or numb to what is happening! It is horrible and awful and I am sick to my stomach right now just thinking about it! I am crying out in my soul for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ! But I’ve realized a few things about this!
1. Satan is real
Many people in this world talk so much about God, and whether or not he exists, but no one will ever talk about Satan. What does it matter to anyone whether Satan exists or not? This is why it matters that Satan exists! Because the “thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” John 10:10. He is terrified of God because he knows the power that our Lord holds, and he wants to destroy anything and everything that has to do with him! It is a battle that we are here to fight!
2. These brothers and sisters are brave
Now I can’t say that every single one that has died has died without denying Jesus Christ, but why would so many be dying if they were? These Christians realize the power of the Lord, and believe beyond a shadow of a doubt within who they live their life and love that they are willing to die for HIM! If that isn’t bravery I don’t know what is!
3. Am I willing to die for what I believe in?
I have to ask myself this questions as I read this! Would I be willing to die for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Would I be as brave as these Brothers and Sisters of mine? Am I willing right NOW to risk my life for someone else or for my faith? As I think about the World Race and all of the dangers it presents, and I think about what could happen to me I have to ask myself this question. My answer? JESUS MAKE ME BRAVE! “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. I can be brave and I can die and risk my life for what I believe in, but only because Jesus Christ lives inside of me, and when I cry out to him he comforts me. When I look to the Mountains He moves them for me! When I need strength and might He gives it to me! I am willing to die for what I believe in because JESUS WAS WILLING TO DIE FOR ME!!! HE died for ME! And if HE can do that, so can I through the strength he gives me!
If you have read this far I want you to stop and pray with me for the Christians of Iraq who are dying for Jesus!
Lord Jesus I want to lift up my brothers and sisters in Iraq to you! I ask that you will breath a new life into them, that they will find shelter and safety! I pray for those who are already in captivity that you will encourage them to keep pushing forward, and you will watch over them with your powerful and loving hands. I pray for the lives and souls of their persecutors. Lord God I pray that the lives of your children will speak to their executors that they can stop listening to the lies of the ENEMY and will hear the TRUTH! Paul became your bravest missionary Lord, and he was one of the greatest persecutors of his time! God you are powerful and mighty and I know that you are weeping as you watch your children suffer, but you also have a wonderful plan in hand ready to be played out! God watch over them and help us understand your ways! In Jesus Powerful name, AMEN!
Thank you! Now I ask that you please pray for me and with me for my Squad of Warriors for Jesus as we prepare to dive head first into the Mission Field to places that might not want us! We know that God is going before us and preparing the way for us! Pray for the protection of our hearts, and bodies! We are all ready for this, to live out the Gospel for our Lord! Thank you so much for journeying with us! God Bless
