What if your entire family was murdered by soldiers; now you have a chance to share the Gospel with them?

DAY 8

Can you picture coming face to face with the soldiers that killed your entire family?

Imagine you’re taking a stroll through the town market when all of a sudden, from the corner of your eye, you see two government soldiers heading straight towards you. After your entire family was murdered only just last year, they are also on your trail.

Turning to run away you accidentally knock over a tower of corn on a market stand. As the corn tumbles to the ground you feel a firm grip on the upper arm, preventing you from moving any further.

Turning to look at the soldiers a Bible verse pops into your mind: "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44, NIV) You remember how you had forgiven and prayed for your families’ persecutors. Looking straight at the soldiers, you realise they were the exact ones who had been at your house that fatal day. Fear begins to grip your heart but you trust that God is with you.

One soldier asks: “We want to know more about this God of yours. What is this Gospel?”

You’re taken aback and realise that you have an amazing opportunity to share. They seem to be genuine.

Can you trust them? Can you trust God to protect you? What would you do?

Click here to read how 1,000 soldiers turn to Christ in an army barrack in Sudan.

Bibles for the Persecuted Program

Join Bibles for the Persecuted Program now!

What if you are denied a job by revealing you are a Christian in the interview?

Day 7
Do you indicate on your resume that you’re a Christian? If you do then you probably don’t have much to worry about in Australia. But in some places where persecution of Christians occurs – it’s a completely different situation.

I know I would find it hard to reveal I was a Christian if it meant I couldn’t get work anywhere. How would I afford to feed my family? Where would I get the money to pay the rent?

Many persecuted Christians are constantly denied jobs, not based on their skills or their level of education but on their faith in Jesus Christ.

For those Christians who manage to find employment, some are vulnerable to criticisms or persecutions from their colleagues, who target their Christian faith.

How would you cope in a situation like this? Would you deny or hide your faith to gain employment? Would you persevere in your faith despite persecution?

What if your family, as Hindus, are strongly opposed to your Christian beliefs?

DAY 6

In India, if you were to convert to Christianity you could be breaking the law of your state. It would also be seen as betraying your nation and your culture.

I imagine it must be so difficult for these new Christians who continue to live in their Hindu families and communities. On the other hand, many are excommunicated from their villages and their families reject them completely. What amazing faith must they have to endure! (Click here to read how David, from India, became an unbreakable vessel for God despite suffering.)

Imagine if you were in this situation. How could you share the Gospel with your Hindu family?

I thank God that He has given us the Holy Spirit as our Counsellor to guide us in what to say: “Do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given to you at the time, for it is not you speaking it is the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:10-11, NIV)

Would you be confident to share the Gospel with your family?

What if someone asks you about Jesus, just after your friend has been beaten by local guerrillas, because he told someone about Jesus?

Day 5
As I read in The Light in the Dark 21-Day devotional booklet today, Christians in Colombia do need a showering of prayer for protection.

Could you imagine living in a country where it is estimated that someone dies every 20 minutes in an act of political violence? It’s a place where guerrilla forces control almost 40 percent of the country.

As mentioned in the booklet, it’s not unusual for corruption, blackmailing, kidnapping and revenge murders to occur. The faith and perseverance of the persecuted Christians encourage me a lot.

Imagine if you had recently visited your friend in hospital, after he was violently beaten by local guerrillas just because he had shared about Jesus, would you still be willing to share Jesus with a friend? What about a stranger on the street?

How much would you risk for Jesus?



If you like to get a copy of the free A Light in the Dark booklet, click here to register.

What if police close down your church and ban you from holding Christian meetings?

Day 4
Imagine that you are in church, a tiny fibro building in the middle of a large bustling village. You’re worshipping God and studying His Word. Suddenly there is the sound of marching steps on the concrete footpath outside. The police are here to close down the church—it’s illegal to worship God.

Your thoughts race ahead, could I be sent to jail? Beaten? Killed? Fear begins to well up within but you remember the promises of God’s protection in the Bible. You feel His peace.

In a matter of seconds, the door bursts open and an officer demands that the worship stop immediately. People stand still, praying quietly under their breath. Everyone is commanded to leave instantly and to never hold church meetings or worship again.

As you leave the church building you watch as your pastor is grabbed by the cuff of his shirt, hands tied and dragged away. You may never see him again. Glancing back further up the street, you see the officers pour petrol on your church and laugh as it bursts into flames. You know that it would be an even greater risk to meet again with your church members. Next time you could be taken into custody.

What would you do?

What if a Muslim asks whether you are a Christian—how would you respond?

Day 3
In Australia this might be an opportunity we’d jump at—but when you could face severe persecution for admitting you’re a Christian, then you may think twice!

I am reminded of a story of a man named Suliman*, from a Middle Eastern country. Suliman was a Christian in the army and kept his Bible on his bedside table. His roommate disapproved but Sulaiman continued reading.

Soon enough his roommate, a Muslim, became intrigued by this book that Suliman loved so much. The roommate would read the Bible secretly when Suliman was out. After sometime Suliman found this out and he invited his roommate to study the Word of God with him—now his roommate has also accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour.
(Read another story about how a Muslim finds Jesus in God’s Word: http://www.bibleleague.com.au/newstestimonies/testimony/bpc2007_day1.shtml)

I think that in avoiding telling someone that we are a Christian, we are missing out on an incredible opportunity to witness to them. Jesus once says these challenging words: “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33)

In many restricted countries, evangelism is illegal. Yet, amazingly millions of persecuted Christians still boldly share Jesus despite the suffering they face.

Would you acknowledge that you are Christian and still witness to Jesus if you might face persecution?


*name is changed for security reason

What if the nearest Bible is an hour walk away - would you go to read it?

Day 2
Where's the nearest Bible that you can access to read right now? Your home? Your desk? Or even in your handbag?

In Australia, it's easy to get access to a Bible and we can read it whenever we want.

But in many places around the world, Bibles are rare. Many persecuted Christians have to travel long distances in order to read the Bible. So whenever they have the opportunity to read God's Word, they really value it.

I've read a testimony about a new believer named Zan who lives in a remote area in Northeast Asia. When Zan was presented with his own copy of the Bible after he completed the Project Philip Bible League Bible study, he held the Bible carefully and said, "Are you really giving me this valuable book? Is that right?" His face glowed with joy.

How important is the Bible for you? If the nearest Bible is an hour walk away and you would not have other access to a Bible - would you go to read it?

What if your neighbours regularly vandalise your property because you follow Jesus?

Day 1
To ‘love your neighbours as yourself’ takes on a whole new meaning for many persecuted Christians. It is not uncommon for these Christians, who are a minority in their country, to receive regular threats from their neighbours, have their belongings stolen and even their homes set on fire.

Despite this, many persecuted Christians continue to love and share God’s Word with their neighbours and communities.

Could you imagine living in an environment like this? I know I would find it challenging to know how to love my neighbour in this situation.

What would you do in this situation?

I've recently read a testimony about Eva and her sister, two faithful sisters in the Middle East, win over their “enemy” for Christ. You will be encouraged by their faith!
Click here to read: http://www.bibleleague.com.au/newstestimonies/testimony/africame_presence.shtml