Fellowship of Christian Athletes -
Dear Huddle Coach,
Every month I write what God impresses on my heart based on the lead article from Sharing The VICTORY magazine. This Training Table draws from Chris Duhon’s obedience to Romans 1:16, not being ashamed of the Gospel.The accounts I share in this article highlight others who have not been ashamed of the Gospel. Read aloud and complete the discussion questions. Add your own as God’s Spirit moves in your Huddle. E-mail any insights, questions, and reports to me at jfbustos@flash.net. I am praying that God will bring new life into your heart and Huddle as you consider this significant issue.
Joyfully in Christ,
Joan Bustos
I just finished a steaming cup of my favorite coffee, how ’bout you? I am sitting in a sunny room surrounded by my favorite books and study materials, how ’bout you? I went to a church of 15,000 worshippers Sunday where the pastor taught directly from the Scriptures and I was able to follow along in one of my many Bibles, how ’bout you? I went to a Bible study last night where we sang, shared and learned Truth from God’s Word, how ’bout you? I can set my radio to one of many Christian stations and hear uplifting music and instruction 24 hours a day, how ’bout you? All of this should make me grateful, and enable me to share freely all the wonders of knowing God with the many unsaved people in my family and neighborhood, but do I? How ’bout you?
I am cozy, warm, well-fed, safe, rich in material pleasures, while all the while I have young siblings in quite another situation. Three of my younger brothers are in prison today, aware that what they have done will cost them their lives. They violated the law of the land, and they will pay. They are cold, alone, hungry and suffering severe physical abuse. I also have two younger sisters in prison. They are so frail and sickly after years of torture and starvation. The daily forced labor has also taken a great toll on their health. I don’t know what has happened to their children. The last report was that they were taken away to a special school where they are learning new ways of thinking and living. They went reluctantly, but at least they are now being fed and clothed. Had they resisted, they would be with their mothers today, or worse, they would be dead. Maybe in the final analysis that isn’t worse.
My fresh-brewed coffee and sunny surroundings don’t bring me much comfort these days. I can only try to imagine what my little brothers and sisters are going through while I am here enjoying all the perks of being born in the United States. I have written letters to the officials where they are, but as expected I have gotten no response. I can hardly get anyone closer to home to do anything for them. Can I enlist your help on their behalf?
My brothers Li, Yu and Lin are facing the death penalty because they smuggled Bibles into China from Hong Kong. They got over 33,000 copies to an underground Christian group there, each one a priceless treasure to the recipient. Cu and Quing, my little sisters, were forcefully taken captive when their house church was stormed by armed military acting on the orders of their government. What will become of them? In this life it doesn’t look good at all. I am told that all five of my brothers and sisters continue sharing the love of Jesus with fellow prisoners and guards. They sing joyfully, pray constantly and report that God is strengthening them to endure the unbearable. Do I sing, pray and ask God for strength for the bearable, knowing I have never endured the unbearable? How ’bout you?
Galatians 3:26 says that we “are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Since we have the same Father, God, Christians are all related to one another – we’re family! When someone is murdering our brothers and sisters because they live out their faith where it is not “legal” what should we do? As I have witnessed firsthand, many Christian teenagers read or hear about persecution of their family around the world and their response is, “What’s for supper?” or “Can I go to the mall?” or “So what, that doesn’t have anything to do with me!” Adult Christians, whatever that means, respond no differently. After reading the horrific accounts of modern-day persecution, one person said, “Those are neat stories, but I can only read a few at a time and then I have to put the book down.” Neat stories? Put the book down to do what? Return to his cozy, sunny, safe world of western Christianity.
According to the original Greek, “martyr” means “witness.” Jesus instructs us in Acts 1:8, “You shall be witnesses (martyrs) to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” We have the blood of the faithful witnesses (martyrs) throughout the centuries to thank for the spread of Christianity worldwide, and for the intact Scriptures we hold in our hands. This triumphant part of the body of Christ, ancient and current, must not be forgotten, ignored, cast aside.
Hebrews 3:13 (CEV) says, “Remember the Lord’s people who are in jail and be concerned for them. Don’t forget those who are suffering but imagine that you are there with them.” (Emphasis mine.) That’s the key, put yourself—and I’ll put myself—in their shoes, sandals, rags.
When did Chris Duhon know that he had really found God? When he didn’t care what others were thinking about him. With that line of thinking Duhon can be an effective witness for Christ. Only God knows if Chris or you or I will ever be called upon to be a martyr for Him. But we have all been called to be His witnesses, and to remember and be concerned for the present day persecuted and martyred body of Christ, our brothers and sisters in chains.
Questions for Discussion:
1. What will it take for you to pray daily for the persecuted and martyred Christians around the world?
2. How can their testimony strengthen you to live for Christ in your family, school, Huddle, etc.?
3. Do you really care about any of this? If so, why? If not, why not?
Spend the next few minutes imaging being in prison, cold, hungry, beaten, in the dark, nearly naked, alone. Then pray for those named in this article or for an unnamed brother or sister around the world who is suffering persecution for Jesus’ sake.
Suggested resources for the Huddle:
- dcTalk’s CD - Jesus Freaks
- Jesus Freaks (the book) by dcTalk and The Voice of the Martyrs
- Web sites for current information on many nations that persecute believers, how to pray for the persecuted church and practical suggestions to help: icc@persecution.org, persecution.com, www.jesusfreaks.net.
