Dear Friends,
Jesus tells us in John 15:20 to remember that, "A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you."
Our brother Saeed, his wife Naghmeh, and their children were stopped in an Iranian airport on their way home from a visit with friends and family. He was arrested. The authorities let Naghmeh and the children board the plane as they placed Saeed under house arrest. The government accused him of being a Christian; a crime punishable by death. Yes, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Yes, I have told others about Him, and I have started churches in His name, he told interrogators. As of today, September 11th, we are rejoicing that a new judge was miraculously assigned Saeed's case and has ordered his release - a true miracle and answer to prayer. However, our Iranian sisters, Maryam and Marzieh, are still in custody. While their health is precarious, they are standing firm on their confession of faith in Christ. Let's continue to lift them in prayer until they too are released.
While we remain in a constant state of prayer for the persecuted church we also have peace knowing that their lives are not their own. Each of us carries this same sentence of death when we embrace the life of Christ; the promise of His resurrection being our reward. Saeed and Naghmeh and thousands of a myriad of others have counted the cost. Our lives have been bought with a most precious commodity - Christ's blood. People hated the message that Jesus proclaimed - I AM the way. He was put to death. Yet, He tells us, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matt 10:28.
Our faith is precious to God. Some of us receive a lion's den measure of grace through faith like Saeed, Maryam, and Marzieh. Yet, ultimately, we are all called to point others to Christ which always brings with it certain death by the world's standards. May we continue to trust in Him, the author and finisher of our faith; facing our personal trials by the grace of God through Jesus Christ who went before us to die for those He loves.
Jesus tells us in John 15:20 to remember that, "A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you."
Our brother Saeed, his wife Naghmeh, and their children were stopped in an Iranian airport on their way home from a visit with friends and family. He was arrested. The authorities let Naghmeh and the children board the plane as they placed Saeed under house arrest. The government accused him of being a Christian; a crime punishable by death. Yes, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Yes, I have told others about Him, and I have started churches in His name, he told interrogators. As of today, September 11th, we are rejoicing that a new judge was miraculously assigned Saeed's case and has ordered his release - a true miracle and answer to prayer.While we remain in a constant state of prayer for the persecuted church we also have peace knowing that their lives are not their own. Each of us carries this same sentence of death when we embrace the life of Christ; the promise of His resurrection being our reward. Saeed and Naghmeh and thousands of a myriad of others have counted the cost. Our lives have been bought with a most precious commodity - Christ's blood. People hated the message that Jesus proclaimed - I AM the way. He was put to death. Yet, He tells us, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matt 10:28.Our faith is precious to God. Some of us receive a lion's den measure of grace through faith like Saeed, Maryam, and Marzieh. Yet, ultimately, we are all called to point others to Christ which always brings with it certain death by the world's standards. May we continue to trust in Him, the author and finisher of our faith; facing our personal trials by the grace of God through Jesus Christ who went before us to die for those He loves.
View Saeed's Testimony and Pray for the Church of Jesus, our brothers and Sisters in Iran!
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