Daily Courage

[Judy Harder]

Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.
(Matthew 10:37)

Hristo Kulichev

Many times I was summoned by the police because they didn't allow me to preach the Gospel. When I was arrested the public prosecutor tried every possible way to exert influence on me. Satan used this man to tempt me in many different ways. The man offered me a better job. When I refused to accept it he began to remind me of the difficulties I would have to face in prison. When he realized that I was ready to suffer for God he said, "You seem to be willing to suffer for your faith, but do you realize it will have many consequences for your children also? Your imprisonment will affect all your family and they will suffer because of you. Your daughter won't be allowed to graduate from Sofia University, and your son will not be allowed to finish at the Technical College. And you will be the only reason for that. You will destroy their future." I know parents in my church who ceased coming to church for fear that they might hinder their children's career. I did not blame them. Fear is the strongest tool of Satan to tempt us. Fear for ourselves, fear for our loved ones. Fear, which we hid under the cover of love and care.

I turned to the prosecutor and said, "If I love my family more than God I am not worthy of Him. I am ready to sacrifice anything for my Savior and so disarm Satan."

When we love God with our whole heart, soul and mind, Satan will not be able to enter into our lives. God will enter and take care. He did. My children finished their education and both are now serving the Lord. God does not always take what we sacrifice, but He wants us to be ready to sacrifice everything for Him.

That gives complete and lasting victory.

[Judy Harder]

David is on the run from Saul again. He is hiding in caves, in the desert of Ziph. But the Ziphites betray him. They tell Saul where David is hiding.

'Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands' (1 Samuel 23:14).

'And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him to find strength in God' (1 Samuel 23:16).

David

Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might.
Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.
Strangers are attacking me; ruthless men seek my life - men without regard for God.
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.
Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them.
I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good.
For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
(Psalm 54)

[Judy Harder]

In humility consider others better than yourselves.
(Philippians 2:3)

Nicolae Gheorghita

On 17 January 1982, two laymen were ordained for the ministry without former theological training: Paul Negrut, a psychologist and Nick Gheorghita, an endocrinologist. They were to serve in one of the largest Baptist churches in Europe. I, Nick, was one of the two. On the way home from church, I suddenly heard the voice of the Holy Spirit, saying: 'He must increase, you must decrease.' And although I know that these words were spoken by John the Baptist in relationship to Jesus Christ - I also knew in my heart that it touched on the relationship between me and my newly ordained co-partner. I therefore asked Paul to stop the car and told him what the Lord has just showed me: I must be Paul's helper. There is no greater joy in my life than to see God leading Paul to victory in the valley, while I am interceding on the mountain on his behalf. I am committed to support him in what he does for the Lord.

Humanly speaking people want to be first - not second. They want to be served - not to serve. But if we allow God, through His Spirit, to control our lives we can all play our part - as leader or servants so that Christ's body will be built and His name glorified. Should that not be the goal of us all? What part does God want you to play?

[Judy Harder]

Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' 'I will not' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
(Matthew 21:28-29)

Nicolae Gheorghita

When asked to do something we do not like, our first reaction is often negative. In 1981 I went to visit a church that had just lost its pastor. Joseph Ton was "asked" to leave the church by the government. I had to preach in that church that same evening. I saw sadness and confusion and many empty seats ... because of fear. I started by asking a question. "Has Joseph Ton left?" They answered, "Yes." Then I asked another question, "Has the God of this congregation left along with Joseph?" My question fell like thunder. They all answered, "No." "Then let us give Him glory," I continued.

A week later, the church committee called me on the telephone to make an appointment with me to meet with them. I realized straight away that they wanted to ask me to become their pastor. I told them that I was not interested and that I could tell them "No" over the phone. "But we still want to visit you." Of course I could not refuse that request.

The church was fasting and praying for our meeting. The members of the committee came and we talked for a long time. All of a sudden I heard myself say "yes" to their request to become their pastor. When I realized it was not me saying yes - it was from God, peace filled my heart. "Father, not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42).

"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth" (Psalm 86).

"Here I am ... I desire to do your will, oh my God" (Psalm 40:.

[Judy Harder]

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

(1 Peter 5:

Nicolae Gheorghita

I remember an exceptional day. I woke up feeling refreshed and read the text from Ephesians 6:11. "Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the devil's schemes." Everything seemed clear and peaceful. I heard myself praying, "Anything that Satan will try to do today against me will not be successful."

Everything went well, until one o'clock when we had a special meeting at the hospital where I was working. Prior to that meeting, a colleague was asked by a party official to stand up and accuse me. The colleague looked at me and said, "You, Dr Gheorghita, are using office time to read and translate Christian books." He was partly right. I read and translated books, but not during office hours. Instead of spending my lunch hour talking to the other doctors, I spent the time translating books. I knew that the man was being used to speak against me, I asked him to tell me the title of one of the books I had translated. He stuttered and could not answer. The hospital director then told the man that no further charges could be brought against me without proof.

I remembered the verses from Ephesians 6:11 and 1 Peter 5:8. The best way to be alert is in the confidence of God's presence in all circumstances. The battle is not ours but God's and then victory is assured.

[Judy Harder]

from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,


Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
(1 Peter 4:12)

Nicolae Gheorghita

Sometimes God uses atheists to prove that the Bible is true. One day the secret police came to my house and confiscated many Christian books. I was summoned to appear for investigation the following day. A military prosecutor and four secret police officers questioned me for 10 hours, they then asked me if there was anything else for which I would like to confess, so I said, "Sir, this investigation does not take me by surprise because I knew this would happen. The Lord Jesus Christ told His followers that they would be arrested and suffer if they wanted to follow Him. If I would not be a disciple, would you have arrested me?" They looked at me and said, "No." "So the Bible is true," I continued. "This investigation confirms to me the biblical truth, and I am willing to face the consequences; I am willing to pay the price. Your job is to set the price and mine is to pay it with gladness because I love my God - and He will strengthen me to bear this burden. But I also want you to know that He loves you too." They looked at me, astonished and bewildered. They apologized to me and told me I was free to go home. "We were only doing our job," they said.

Let us never be ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for salvation

[Judy Harder]

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

(1 Peter 4:14)

Nicolae Gheorghita

Christ exhorts us to take up our cross. That is not easy. We do not want to suffer. But we need to realize that suffering is a part of our walk with God. If we only believe in God with our heads and not with our actions and deeds, we will not suffer. Only when we live up to God's standards will we face hardships. But what does the Bible teach us? "If you are insulted because of the name of Christ you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you."

I already mentioned that I am translating Christian books from English into our own language. From the moment I started doing this I realized that sooner or later the police would arrest me for this. My wife and I had talked about the consequences. We realized that I could be put in prison and beaten for my work, that she could be left alone to raise our children. However, we decided that I should continue to serve the Lord in this way. He would take care whatever might befall us. I thank God for my wife and children. God has always been faithful. You know God not only exhorts us to take up our cross - He bears it with us. He bears the heavy part ... I am just walking along. Let us not look at the price and pain only. Let us look to Christ. He bore the cross and went all the way. What a love. What a joy to be found worthy to suffer with Him. He is worthy.

[Judy Harder]

Even though David is again threatened with death, this Psalm, written by him, is full of trust in the Lord his God. 

The more David speaks with God, the more the enemy fades to the background.

The one who puts his trust in God, can remain steadfast under all circumstances. For the enemy is not in control, but God is.

David

Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack.
My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride.
When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.
In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise- in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
(Psalm 56:1-4,9-11)

[Judy Harder]

Take your son... and sacrifice him as a burnt offering.
(Genesis 22:2)

Ferenc Visky

God speaks to Abraham and requires something from him. Abraham thinks of everything, except the fact that he has a God who asks something from him.

Nobody is aware that God can also ask for things. People like to ask for things and they like God to give. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his own beloved son and with it, He asked everything from him.

When I was deported together with my seven little children, the eldest of whom was eleven years old and the youngest only two, my biggest concern was not that all our possessions had to be left behind, that the door was closed behind us and that we would not return. The one thing I worried about was the seven little ones. What would become of them? Who would feed them and look after them?

Abraham obeyed and laid his son on the altar, though he did not know God's purpose. He only knew God Himself, for he believed Him and loved Him. Before Abraham sacrificed Isaac, he laid himself on the altar - by obeying God. Because he sacrificed himself first, he prevented the sacrifice of Isaac.

I knew I had to do the same thing. I cried for my children, but I had to lay myself on the altar first. And there, in that fateful situation, I experienced a miraculous surprise. Jesus had been there before. He did His Father's will and so I found that He was there when I was prepared to sacrifice myself and it meant salvation for me and my children.

Don't try to find an excuse when God takes you to the altar, for it is there that He Himself is waiting for you - in His beloved Son.

[Judy Harder]

I am God Almighty; walk before Me...
(Genesis 17:1)

Ferenc Visky

God did not introduce Himself to Abraham like this without reason, "I am God Almighty..." God always makes Himself clear. He calls Himself the Almighty because Abraham did not know yet that He was omnipotent. If he had known, he wouldn't have taken Hagar for his wife. He would have awaited God's plan, the birth of Isaac and it would have saved himself and others a lot of misery. Abraham was wrong about God when he thought that He would not have the power to give Sara a baby in her hopeless situation.

And Abraham was not the only one. It happens to everyone who doubts God's omnipotence and His salvation. And it is a sin.

I believe that God created man out of the dust of the earth and that the visible originated from the invisible, but when it became clear that He was able to maintain me and my family from nothing, I was dumbfounded. God proved to me that He was also the Almighty during my deportation.

He also said to Abraham, "Walk before Me and be blameless." I can even walk in impassable ways when I am certain about God's omnipotence and be blameless, too, that is to say that I can completely rely on God, Who is perfect, and then I can walk straight towards my goal.

Don't be afraid to lean on God's omnipotence completely. It does not mean looking on passively. It means going on. He who walks with God is carried by Him and crowned with His salvation. He did so with us. Wouldn't He be able to do so for you? "I am God Almighty"' Do you know this God?