Farmers

                       Farmers...why am I writing about farmers? Well, you'll see. Farmers do a lot o work that a lot of us probably don't even realize! It actually takes a lot to be a farmer. A friend of mine is a farmer, and to hear the process before you can even start farming is...is overwhelming! And I don't even farm! First, you have to be good to go financially and to have money set aside for repairs. Because sometimes you need to fix a lot of machinery. My dad knows all about that. He's always fixing something for farmers. Then you have to predict the right time to tear up the ground, and when to seed, and when to irrigate. You have to do a lot of pipe moving and so on. It's really almost an endless pile of work. But what am I trying to say? The end product. Harvest. That's right. When you start to see the crops come up, and not just crops, but a good crop...the work is all worth it, the tireless waiting and working pays off. Knowing that you raised a good crop that'll feed the world! It's makes you feel good, it makes it all worth it. That's why farmers farm every year faithfully. God is a farmer...preparing and prepping to plant fields of crops, to send the harvested fruits of his labor out into the world to feed the hungry. It's worth it to him. And it's worth it to us as believer's as his workers to help pant and replenish the earth. What a way to life.What a most rewarding job. Farming is a calling...a gift from God. It's not for everyone, but to everyone who is called to farm...it is a wonderful way to serve the Lord.

    "Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." -Mathew 9:37-38 (ESV)


         Dedicated to our faithful farmers. God Bless your ministry.

Martyrs...

         This is the story of Anila and Perveen. Now these are not their real names, so as to protect their identity. But this is the story of best friends who became believers secretly in a Muslim community. They were ages 17 and 18, and this happened in 1997 in Pakistan. This story is out of the book, 'Jesus Freaks.' May of you may be familiar with it. It's called, 'On Trial for Sharing the Gospel;'
       Anila met Perveen at school. As their friendship grew, Anila gave Perveen a Bible and taught her Christian songs. Perveen quickly learned Christian songs and began to teach them to her younger sister when her parents weren't home. Perveen's parents soon learned of the songs. Being strict Muslims, they were not happy about them. But rather than confronting Perveen right away, they had her younger sister try to find out where she was getting this Christian influence.
      Anila eventually invited Perveen to a Good Friday service. When the young Muslim heard the Gospel presentation, she immediately accepted Jesus. Perveen became very excited about her new relationship with Jesus and saw great changes take place in her life. She read her Bible and praised God boldly. Anila knew that, before long, her friend would encounter opposition from her family.
     Perveen's parents were furious when they learned of her conversion. They had previously arranged for her to marry a Muslim man. When Perveen again refused, she ran away.
     When Perveen's parents could not find her, they accused Anila and her pastor of kidnapping her. They had Anila arrested. Anila was slapped and beaten in front of her parents for over nine hours. Finally she was taken to prison. Anila's pastor and his family were taken to prison on the following day. Anila and her pastor experienced horrible tortures in jail. She was whipped sixteen times (five times would make a normal man pass out.) When they were released, Anila could not sit for two months, and her pastor would barely walk from the bruises on his hips and thighs.
    Perveen was later found by her family. In Muslim nations, children are often severely beaten for converting to Christianity. Others are killed by their own parents or siblings for apostasy, converting to another faith.
     To restore the honor of his family...Perveen's brother stabbed her to death. He then turned himself into the authorities. As is not uncommon in such situations, he was eventually released without incident.
     Anila was then arrested on charges of kindapping.
     She was imprisoned, the released on bail a little more than a month later. She and her family went into hiding, as their lives were threatened by radical Muslims.
     In May 1999, anila was aquitted of all charges. Praise God for prayers of faithful believers around the world! Continue to pray for her protection as she remains in hiding.
    "I have seen the world." Anila said, "and it has nothing good. Jesus is my only peace."

       "Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will raise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the  end will be saved." -Mathew 10:21-12. ESV.

    Are we willing to be Martyred for our faith? No one knows but God Almighty. But prepare yourslef daily for battles of all kinds against a dark world. Pray that God will help you sty strong in the worst time of persecution on earth...Pray for those suffer everyday for their love of Jesus. But rejoice that they go with God! The joy that this pain is temporary...because this life on earth will not last...Have a good week as you dwell on these thoughts. Stay strong!

   "Fight the good fight of faith! Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses..." - 1 Timothy 6:12. ESV. :)

Independent...

        Definition of Independence (Dictionary.com, I think.):
1. Not Influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, and so on.
2. Not Subject to another's authority or jurisdiction.
3. Not Influenced by the thought or action of others.
4. Not Dependent; not depending or contingent upon something else for existence, operation, and e.t.c.
5. Not Relying on another or on others for aid of support.

                Need I say more? I think you get the point of what I am trying to say. Actually I have someone to thank for this. But anyway, what I'm saying is, we need to be dependent on God. God is independent, therefore someone reliable for us to be DEPENDENT upon! If we are not depending on God, then we are basically saying, no higher power exists, I need to do everything on my own. (Point 4.) In proverbs 3:5 it says, 'Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (But) In all your ways acknowledge Him!' (ESV) To me what that verse, and other verses similar is saying, is that it is a form of selfishness, and maybe even sin, to be too independent. There is a time for independence. But if you don't know when or where to draw the line of when to be independent and when to be dependent on God...instead of shining as a beacon for the lost. You're light is flickering. It's not steady. But also in our independence, we need to be dependent on God. Confusing I know. But we must never stray from the Lord's authority in our lives. The ultimate Father and Boss. 'Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before us, endured the cross, scorning it's shame!' -Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) 'Therefore Holy Brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and High Priest, whom we confess. -Hebrews 3:1(NIV). WE need to be more sensitive to this area. Because in today's society...you almost need to be independent to survive! To protect, and to make a way in life. But if we are dependent on God...it's way easier to go along the circle of life.. And it'll be filled with way less loneliness. I can guarantee it. Have a great week as you hopefully bask in God's GREAT love, and protection for you. Be dependent on God, not just this week...but your whole life. :)