“Discipleship Course” taught at the Our Generation Training Center in April/May of 2019.

“Discipleship Course” taught at the Our Generation Training Center in April/May of 2019.

“Discipleship Course” taught at the Our Generation Training Center in April/May of 2019.

“Discipleship Course” taught at the Our Generation Training Center in April/May of 2019.

What is going on in China? It is complicated, but here is the basic breakdown thus far: one of our Chinese pastors and missionaries was falsely accused of a crime (maybe setup to attack the church) by a man who visited the church (not sure who invited him or where he came from). This led to the discovery of the underground church. Some advance warnings allowed the church to avoid a police raid. But the police showed up at the Chinese pastor’s house. The pastor was held for about 9 hours and then released. The missionaries were able to flee to other cites. One missionary named at the police station and so he left the country to avoid any pressure on themselves or on the locals to have him come into the police station (although their trip out of the country seemed normal because is holiday season in China and many people leave the country at this time). We are still in talks with the police station and the details are being worked out.

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Putting Biblical principles into place:

It is okay to escape dangerous situations.

John 10:37–42 | 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. 39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he {Jesus} escaped out of their hand, 40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. 41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. 42 And many believed on him there. 

Matthew 10:23 | 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

Go forward speaking the gospel and if needed flee to another location. Jesus tells His disciples that when people persecute them in a certain city they were allowed to flee to another city. We should be aware and alert to the danger that could happen and if needed move to another location as long as we keep on preaching the gospel. We are permitted to leave a city because of persecution but we shouldn’t stop preaching the gospel. Thus, the task is more important than the location—even if the location can’t be changed.
Matthew 10:23 (Excerpt Taken from “How Can We Go Forward In The Face of Persecution?” Lesson)

(See Also: Luke 4:28–32)

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Persecution often leads to “dispersion” and that’s not bad.

Acts 8:1 | And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 8:4 |  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

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Think Bible thoughts and take Bible actions.

Psalm 27 | A Psalm of David. 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, They stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: Therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. 9 Hide not thy face far from me; Put not thy servant away in anger: Thou hast been my help; leave me not, Neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take me up. 11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, And lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: For false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13 I had fainted, unless I had believed To see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalm 61:1–4 | 1 Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, And a strong tower from the enemy. 4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

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Know the nature of the battle.

Ephesians 6:12 | 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

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Stay Encouraged!

As the persecution continues in China and we are trying to figure everything out about what is happening in our city, this song is on repeat, reminding me that nothing ever can, nothing ever will overcome the Lord our God! Amen!

Nothing Ever Can, Nothing Ever Will (Lyrics)

Every power on earth and in heav’n
Is a shadow in His light
No authority, law or government
Challenges His sovereign might

His reign and rule have no boundary
All that is, His hands have wrought
Nothing ever can, nothing ever will,
Overcome the Lord our God

We are well aware, we were orphans once,
Bent and broken in our shame
Then He sought us out and adopted us
And now we bear His royal Name

Every sin or crime we have ever done,
Is no match for Jesus’ blood
Nothing ever can, nothing ever will,
Overcome the Lord our God

We are rescued out of darkest night,
Free from Satan’s evil hold
And the Kingdom of our Savior’s light,
Is our souls’ eternal home

Though the enemy tries to steal and kill,
What the death of Christ has bought
Nothing ever can, nothing ever will,
Overcome the Lord our God

Our God is victorious
He always wins, He always wins
In love He reigns over us,
He always wins, He always wins

Our God is victorious
He always wins, He always wins
In love He reigns over us,
He always wins, He always wins

We, the church, declare Jesus Christ is king,
For He conquered death, once for all
We will live in light of His victory,
Following His gospel call

And when the story ends, we know Jesus wins,
For his power cannot be stopped
Nothing ever can, nothing ever will,
Overcome the Lord our God

Nothing ever can, nothing ever will,
Overcome the Lord our God

The feed to my podcast has not been working for a while now, but it has finally been fixed within the iTunes podcast realm.

Link

Here is the working link to subscribe in iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/china-ramblings-podcast/id1449773635

Description

This podcast is an outflow of our life and ministry in China. We hope that it will help, encourage, exhort and edify those who listen. If you are interested in China, missions or staying up-to-date with our family and ministry then this podcast is for you! Not everything fits neatly into one of those topics, but I hope you will stick around long enough to see what the Lord is doing in China and how He can use you!