October 18, 2018
Dear friends,
Earlier this week, an American Pastor was released after being imprisoned in Turkey for the past two years. Andrew Brunson’s case was brought to the attention of President Donald Trump, who intervened with Turkish authorities to help procure his release. To read more about this, please visit: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/12/andrew-brunson-release-turkish-court
There are many believers around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ, including Asia Bibi. A mother of five, Asia was accused of blasphemy in 2009 in Pakistan and has languished on death row for nearly a decade. To read more about her, visit: https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/10/islamists-vow-to-kill-a-christian-woman-if-a-pakistan-court-acquits-her/
While at Redeemer Bible Church in Niagara Falls last weekend for their Missions conference, Karen and I had the privilege of hearing reports from several missionaries, including a doctor in Tanzania. The Lord is building His church and the devil is using unlawful arrests, physical attacks, and various forms of oppression in attempts to thwart His servants from proclaiming the gospel. Anyone who has read the last book of the Bible knows that the devil will not be victorious.
As we hear of brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their faith, let us pray for their safety and deliverance, and pray for the salvation and deliverance from darkness of those who do not know Christ.
I saw a program on Netflix about cooking in Italy this week and was impressed by the beauty of the country and the appeal of meals prepared by master chefs. How wonderful it would be if people longed to know Christ as much as they desire tasty food. The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Rome: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). The first person that I met who went to Italy to share his faith in Christ was George Ostojic, who is now an elder at Peoples Church of Montreal. Karen and I will be sharing in their Missions conference on Saturday, Lord willing. May many respond to the Lord’s appeal to go, give and send workers into His fields.
Scripture for the weekend: “For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NASB)
Thought for the weekend: “The kind of hearing God wants from us involves more than physical listening – it requires an act of faith. To really listen to God’s Word we have to hear with faith (Galatians 3:2, 5). Listening and faith are basic components of Bible engagement.” – Lawson W. Murray (from his book “Bible Engagement Basics”)
By His grace,
Steve