Daily Courage

[Judy Harder]

January 5, 2010 
 
from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,

The God who came brought deliverance in the past, will continue to do so in the future, for He is the living God.
The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior! (Psalm 18:46).

David

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.
He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.
You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.
(Psalm 18:30-36)

[Judy Harder]

Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering.  (Hebrews 13:2)

Mehdi Dibaj

These days there are celebrations everywhere. People outside celebrate the day of the Revolution and you, my son, are celebrating your birthday today (7 years old).

Inside my prison cell I am celebrating my forty-third year of becoming a Christian and today I am celebrating the entering of the eighth year of the test of my faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

There is a celebration and joy within my heart. I thank my loving God ever so much that He counted me worthy to be here in prison for more than seven years now because of my love and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my Christian brothers and sisters who have supported me with their prayers and love, so that the victory should belong to the Lord.

Victory is yours, risen Jesus, Son of the Creator, our Redeemer.

Mehdi Dibaj is from Iran. While this book was being compiled, Mehdi Dibaj had been in prison for nine years. Early in 1994 he was released, but was murdered six months later. His courtroom defense was edited to form part of this book.

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, January 7, 2010 

from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, whoever loses his life for me will find it.  (Matthew 16:24-25)

Mehdi Dibaj

One of my guards in prison once asked me, "Does Jesus Christ know that He has someone in this prison who loves Him?" I told him, "Jesus Christ our Lord has millions of people all over the world who love Him and who wish to sacrifice their lives for Him. I too wish to be one of them."

How sweet it will be if one day my life is sacrificed for Him, when my spirit with joy and purity will fly towards Jesus. I don't want to hide from you my dear son that I always envied those Christians who all through Church history were martyred for Christ Jesus our Lord. Because, for a Christian it is a loss to leave this world by natural death. What a privilege to live for our Lord and to die for Him as well. And I am prepared for the name of Jesus Christ our Lord not only to remain in prison but to give my life in His service as well. Because living is an opportunity for me to serve Christ and death is a better occasion to be with Christ.

Mehdi Dibaj is from Iran. While this book was being compiled, Mehdi Dibaj had been in prison for nine years. Early in 1994 he was released, but was murdered six months later. His courtroom defense was edited to form part of this book.

[Judy Harder]

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.  (Hebrews 13:5)

Mehdi Dibaj

Jesus said, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it" (Matthew 16:25).

Every Christian should be willing to be such a sacrifice for God that he gets cleansed by the fire of hardships and sufferings. "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps" (1 Peter 2:21).

My heart rejoices as I walk with Jesus
the world behind me, the cross before me
I will follow Him for ever ... every day.

He will never leave us. He will never forsake us. It is the wish of every father and child to walk together. God too wishes that we walk with Him - that is to obey Him.

"I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless." Two people can only walk together if they agree together.

In the triumphal procession of Christ we will go forward by the power of God.

Mehdi Dibaj is from Iran. While this book was being compiled, Mehdi Dibaj had been in prison for nine years. Early in 1994 he was released, but was murdered six months later. His courtroom defense was edited to form part of this book.

[Judy Harder]

January 9, 2010 

from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way.  (Psalm 46:1-2)

Mehdi Dibaj

In the story of Daniel's friends in the fiery oven, God teaches us an important spiritual truth, if we want to walk close to our Lord we must be willing to go into the fire because it is the safest place for us. Not only will our socks not burn, but our clothes will not even smell of fire.

I praise God that during these seven years that I have been in prison for my faith, the Lord Jesus Christ has been my strength in a wonderful way. I not only may walk close to Him in the midst of the fire, but I go forward as well.

He leads me through water and fire

He leads us in the way of the Cross.

Yes, God is our refuge and strength an ever-present help in trouble.

Mehdi Dibaj is from Iran. While this book was being compiled, Mehdi Dibaj had been in prison for nine years. Early in 1994 he was released, but was murdered six months later. His courtroom defense was edited to form part of this book.


Copyright [C] 1995 Open Doors International. Used by permission

[Judy Harder]

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. (Psalm 68:19)

Mehdi Dibaj

On a busy road with strong winds and heavy traffic, the crossing of such a road is a frightening experience. A child would be very scared and cry, "Daddy carry me, Daddy carry me."

In our walk with God we often experience the same storms and danger. Sometimes the pressures are so intense that it seems impossible to go forward anymore.

In such storms, what should our attitude be? Is there any hope or help from God?

The Lord says; "Call upon me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you and you will praise me."

Yes, we may cast all our burdens upon Him, for He cares for us. He daily bears our burdens.

Mehdi Dibaj is from Iran. While this book was being compiled, Mehdi Dibaj had been in prison for nine years. Early in 1994 he was released, but was murdered six months later. His courtroom defense was edited to form part of this book.

[Judy Harder]

January 11, 2010 

from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:

Mehdi Dibaj

In days of trouble I have learned to pray - listen - praise.

Pray

"Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me" (Psalm 17:.

Listen

"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). "It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord" (Lamentations 3:26).

Praise

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me, he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called and the Lord heard him. He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:4-8a).

Mehdi Dibaj is from Iran. While this book was being compiled, Mehdi Dibaj had been in prison for nine years. Early in 1994 he was released, but was murdered six months later. His courtroom defense was edited to form part of this book.

[Judy Harder]

David honors the God of creation. In His creation God reveals His glory. But not just in creation. Above all God speaks to us through His Word.

Beholding God's greatness in nature and in His Word leads David to one prayer: May your greatness be seen through my life as well.

David

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
(Psalm 19:1-4, 7-9, 14)

[Judy Harder]

January 13, 2010   

from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Mehdi Dibaj

What a joy for a little child to sit on the broad and strong shoulders of his father. From that height he watches the passing of people, the business in the streets. He has fun and feels safe. When he does get frightened he clenches his arms even tighter around his father's shoulders. He knows he can trust his father.

Is this not our position in Christ Jesus? In the day of trouble He hides us in His shelter.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust'"(Psalm 91:1,2). The everlasting Father is our refuge. His immortal arms are our support.

Whatever our situation may be, He is always our refuge. During these past nine years in prison for my love for Him I have had the joy again and again of experiencing His strong arms of support.

Have faith in God.

Mehdi Dibaj is from Iran. While this book was being compiled, Mehdi Dibaj had been in prison for nine years. Early in 1994 he was released, but was murdered six months later. His courtroom defense was edited to form part of this book.

[Judy Harder]

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)

Mehdi Dibaj

The Almighty God not only gives us strength to walk with Him, to go forward with Him or to go up with Him but also to come down with Him to the valley of the battle.

Or should I say, I may go up to Him - He will come down to me.

I may sit, in the heavenly places, on His "broad shoulders." He will kneel down with me in the valley of battle and hold my hand. The more I visit Him up there - the more I experience His help down here.

The mountains of life may be shaken, the pains of being separated from my beloved family may hurt, the prison cell may be dark - His unfailing love for me is not shaken and my love for Him is growing stronger every day.