News From China

Much is happening in China these days and I hope you are all aware of the happenings. Please uphold the people of this country in prayer and do whatever you can to help from a distance. Many are paying particular attention to the situation with Christian human rights attorney Gao Zhisheng, who was taken captive by the authorities almost sixty days ago. The ChinaAid and Voice of the Martyrs organizations are relentlessly seeking to put pressure on the government to release information as to his whereabouts and condition. Reports say he is being severely tortured. For more information on this story please go to FreeGao.com. Also, people are agreeing to send emails on his behalf and/or sign a petition. Go to the Persecution Blog if you are interested in doing either of these things.

Folks, once again it is a Lord's Day eve. Many of us will go to our nice churches, sing our hymns and spiritual songs as loud as we please, hear our sermons, have our fellowships, say our prayers, and come home giving little thought to the blessings of doing so without fear of persecution. At least not yet. Let's have these dear ones in our hearts as we go. Let us never cease to pray for them. Let us ask for the courage and compassion to do what little we can to help. These people love the Lord. Some of them are suffering all kinds of horrendous treatment because of their love for Him. Thank God for them; they are great examples to us.

Must I be carried to the skies

On flow'ry beds of ease,

While others fought to win the prize,

And sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?

Must I not stem the flood?

Is this vile world a friend to grace,

To help me on to God?

Sure I must fight if I would reign:

Increase my courage Lord;

I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,

Supported by the Word.

~ Isaac Watts