So Blessed!

O love the Lord, all ye his saints:

for the Lord preserveth the faithful,

and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

Be of good courage, and He shall

strengthen your heart, all ye that

hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:23,24

Recently, a young, dear relative of mine put something very special on FB that featured two groups of people. Both groups live far away from our country but we share with them, I trust, a love for the most precious book in the world...the Bible.

The first group featured was of the Kimyal tribe in Indonesia. Those people were shown in a brief film, gathered at an air field awaiting the landing of a plane. Most of the tribe had already been saved and regularly receive great preaching. Many were in their tribal attire and the rest dressed like most folks would dress much like we might see in our country except much more decently. They were singing, crying, rejoicing, clapping in anticipation of the small plane's arrival. When the plane landed, everything was very orderly. Tribal leaders walked slowly to the plane where a pilot handed them a huge package. It was the arrival of God's word in their own language. Many had memorized verses and chapters of it already, but now, people in the tribe could have their own copy of the New Testament. The whole tribe was there, happy and rejoicing out in the open with no threats or pressure brought about by anyone including whatever government was involved. It's interesting that the older members of the tribe wanted the Bibles to go first to the younger members of the tribe. It was hoped they would begin building a firm foundation in their lives and families based on the Word of God.

The second short film was totally different from the Kimyal tribe. It featured a secret gathering of Christians in China. The room was filled with young adult Christians. Some folks came into the room with two huge suitcases. When opened, there were Bibles in their language. With great reverence, each person approached the suitcases and picked up a Bible. Many wept...many stood kissing their Bibles. Some just closely held their new Bibles to their bodies. China is full of secret churches. One shown was in a cave. One church has a service daily at 4:00 AM for a couple of hours. A visiting pastor preached one day for four hours. Another day, a pastor preached from 8:30 AM-7:00 PM with preferably no breaks. Most attendees stand the entire time. They so love the Lord, each other, the privilege of worship, and God's Word that they will worship by the hour despite what could happen to them if the government found them in their secret places. In one area of China, it is estimated that there are 3,000 secret house churches and that is done at great risk. We need to be praying for those dear saints of God for His protection over them as they worship together.

As I finished watching these brief films, I looked across the room at the two bookcases in my living room. One holds mostly Bibles while the other has Christian books and materials. They are all at my finger tips. I am so spoiled and take so much for granted, and by the way, so do you, my reader friend.

I am a member of a small church and , we have just started our spring ladies Bible study session. I always hope for at least seven ladies. I can't imagine what it would be if I were to sneak into China where I could teach ladies there from God's Word. No telling how many would come even at great risk to their lives not because I would be speaking but because they just want to hear the Word presented anytime they can. In most churches in America, church attendance is slipping. Churches that entertain will usually run a large group of people who go for the entertainment. Baptists have always joked about how if it rains on a Sunday morning, the attendance will be low because “Baptists don't like being sprinkled.” I wonder what happens if it's raining in China when the word goes out that there will be church on a given day. I doubt that they give a good care about rain, storms or muddy shoes.

I wonder too what is done with all of the new Bibles I saw being passed out in both places that were featured. I wonder if they sit on a shelf somewhere, untouched for several days without being read. I seriously doubt that such happens.

In many places such as the the second location mentioned, they practice their faith at great risk...their church attendance must be a secret. Should any word get out about those Chinese Christians receiving Bibles, they could not only have those Bibles confiscated but could perhaps lose their livelihoods or even their lives. They worship and pray at great peril. Even a very good friend could betray those Chinese Christians. These folks find ways to witness to people. They are fearless. When we witness for Christ, the most we face is embarrassment or perhaps the loss of friends which really are small prices to pay.

God needs us, in our day to stand for Him with no shame. It's not just the unsaved that need the Gospel but we too need the feeding of the Word of God. We need to be an influence for God in our nation even among those who claim the name of Christ. We need to look anew at our Bibles...how often we read them...how often we apply to our lives those things we do read. We also need to consider the privilege of worship. Perhaps we need to get back to the basics before we lose some freedoms we too often take for granted.

Lord Jesus...Thank You for the Bible I have at arms reach right now. I thank You for the privilege of regular worship with my Christian family. You have blessed me in abundance and I can't begin to relate to those across the oceans to would love to own a Bible or who would love times of worship without fear. Thank You, Lord Jesus.....Amen