Daily Courage

[Judy Harder]

In this second part, David does not talk about the Lord but to the Lord. 

People feel sorry for David. He is in great need. His faith in the almighty God is his comfort and hope.

David

Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says of you, 'seek his face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.
Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.   (Psalm 27:7-14)

[Judy Harder]

who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice and gained what was promised.   (Hebrews 11:33)

Mona Khauli

Few people would choose to live a life of danger and risk. Those who do are either professional stuntmen or terrorists, for whom it is a way to make a living.

In our case, however, life at constant risk has been our experience for fifteen years now. Our beautiful country of Lebanon is paying a high price. Terrorism, bombings and shelling of residential areas have victimized thousands of innocent civilians. Our Christian community is being confronted with a great dilemma: flee the country and live in peace elsewhere, or stay to serve the people and accept the risk of getting killed. We have decided to stay and take a stand for our Lord. By serving people in distress and sheltering the displaced we have been able to light their path and motivate their tenacity for survival against the odds.

We experience great danger, but we also experience the presence of our God in a wonderful way. What more can we desire?

Are you faithful in your own situation serving God and men as He directs?  In doing so you will experience God's guidance and blessings.

Be available, be grateful, rejoice in the Lord always. Whatever your situation may be. If we can do it - you can.

Pray for peace in the Middle East.

Writer of the Month: Mona Khauli from Lebanon. Instead of leaving her country to seek peace, she chose to stay at great risk. She testifies of God's miracles.

[Judy Harder]

The God we serve is able to save us ... but even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods... (Daniel 3:17, 18)

Mona Khauli

Throughout the fifteen-year old war, God has moved in our midst, and through us to others.

The most recent example of God's miraculous protection involved a young couple. One day heavy artillery bombing took them by surprise, when a Syrian offensive was launched against Christian areas. Before they could run to take shelter, a phosphorous shell penetrated the roof of their bedroom and exploded, setting the place on fire. They were both severely injured and burnt. The woman, a few months pregnant, was miraculously saved. Her husband, however, was pronounced clinically dead on arrival at the hospital as he had sustained serious injuries from head to toe. His parents and church brethren pleaded with hospital staff to give him emergency care, while they committed themselves to the bedside in prayer. For months, he "existed" by way of instruments that pumped life into his shredded body, bandaged together like a cocoon.

But God intervened and performed a miracle. Six months later he was released from hospital a walking miracle, only in need of surgery to restore sight in one of his eyes. Doctors and nurses saw him off with these words; "Lazarus has risen from the dead."

Pray and trust. Have faith in God to perform a miracle. God is in control.

Writer of the Month: Mona Khauli from Lebanon. Instead of leaving her country to seek peace, she chose to stay at great risk. She testifies of God's miracles. 

[Judy Harder]

Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead.  (James 2:17)

Mona Khauli

In our present world, with so much pain and suffering, it is imperative that faith should lead to action in order to create change. This process of change must start in our own lives and attitudes. We have no right to excuse ourselves for lack of potential, as we have been empowered by Christ for the task that lies before us. Though we stand helpless against the wiles of political manipulation in Lebanon we do not stand idle. With faith and perseverance our Christian community has given emergency assistance, year after year, to the orphaned and homeless.

As peacemakers they heal the wounds of war with love. As people who care they take immense personal risks when penetrating military checkpoints to insure medical help to the displaced. Though facing unprecedented levels of torture and violence, they refuse a life of safety in exile.

We do not share these facts with you to show you how good we are. We simply share this to show you it can be done.

Our Christian community in Lebanon wants to demonstrate faith through deeds.

What about you?

Writer of the Month: Mona Khauli from Lebanon. Instead of leaving her country to seek peace, she chose to stay at great risk. She testifies of God's miracles.

[Judy Harder]

we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:3-5)

Mona Khauli

These words are so rich and meaningful; yet they are so difficult to put into practice.

To glory in tribulation? How can this be? It is neither human nor tactful to rejoice in suffering, especially when it concerns people around us. What does Paul really mean?

The best way to explain is to quote a Christian woman in my country, Lebanon. She was facing one family hardship after another. When asked how she managed to cope with all these hardships she answered, "Troubles are challenges to me. Even difficulty that comes my way is a perpetual source of wonder. I am so eager to see how the Lord will get me out of it."

She had found the secret. Not theoretically but through pains and problems. "In all these things we are more that conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 9:37). Her secret was Paul's secret. Paul's experience became her experience. What about you?

It is no secret what God can do, what He has done for others He will do for you.

Writer of the Month: Mona Khauli from Lebanon. Instead of leaving her country to seek peace, she chose to stay at great risk. She testifies of God's miracles.

[Judy Harder]

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save. (Psalm 138:7)

Mona Khauli

Throughout and despite the war in Lebanon, the Lord has been my strength and my salvation. Nevertheless in moments of emotional despair, I have often asked myself; "Given a choice to relive those years would I perhaps opt for a change of course?"

My answer is no. I would never exchange the intimate fellowship with God for a more peaceful period of earthly existence. It is also true that I have often been near breaking point. During these times of distress Psalm 138:7 has been a great encouragement for me.

"You stretch out your hand against my foes, with your right hand you save me."

Both aspects are so real. The danger is that we too often only see the stretched out hand of our foe

May God continuously open our spiritual eyes for the other truth, "with your right hand you save me."

Writer of the Month: Mona Khauli from Lebanon. Instead of leaving her country to seek peace, she chose to stay at great risk. She testifies of God's miracles.

[Judy Harder]

By faith... (Hebrews 11:3)

Mona Khauli

Faith is:

·      Expecting God to accomplish miracles through my five loaves and two fishes. He can use me.   

·      Rejecting the feeling of panic when things seem out of control. He is in control.   

·      Confidence in God's faithfulness to me in an uncertain world. He holds the future.   

·      Depending on the fact that God loves me, not on my ability to figure out how or why. He can be trusted.   

·      Thanking God for his gift of emotional health, not assuming it all stems from my ability to cope with stress. He provides.   

"...I do believe; help me to overcome my unbelief" (Mark 9:24).

Writer of the Month: Mona Khauli from Lebanon. Instead of leaving her country to seek peace, she chose to stay at great risk. She testifies of God's miracles.

[Judy Harder]

Monday, April 5, 2010   
 
from Day by Day with the Persecuted Church,

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. (1 John 2:28)

Menes Abdul Noor

The Apostle John writes to the "little children" as people who are close to him. They are also close to the Heavenly Father. They are weak and small. They are dependent on Divine grace and care. This is why they should abide in Christ and in His Word. They can trust in Him here and now, and forever.

Jesus has come, born in a manger in Bethlehem. He also comes to us, knocking at the door of our hearts (Revelation 3:20). He comes to those who ask for His help, as He came to His disciples walking on the water to rescue them (Matthew 14:22-33).

He will come again in the last day to judge sinners and take His followers to be with Him forever. If we abide in Him we will await His second coming eagerly.

We hear Him say, "Yes, I am coming soon." And we cry, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).

When He appears, we may have confidence because He saved us and abides in us. We will fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast our crowns before the throne, saying, "You are worthy, our Lord and God" (Revelation 4:11).

Let us be ready, little children!

Writer of the Month: Menes Abdul-Noor from Egypt. A respected leader of the Christian Church in Cairo.

[Judy Harder]

When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3)

Ghassan Khalaf

During wars, moral and spiritual foundations are liable to be undermined and people tend to be permissive. They abandon God's laws and government laws. In Lebanon when militiamen dominated, the government was dissolved. A state of chaos and complete confusion emerged. The foundations were destroyed. In a situation like this, what can the righteous do?

Learning from our situation the righteous can prove that He is the foundation when moral and spiritual foundations are destroyed. The Christian is the law in the absence of law, and he is the conscience of the nation when morals deteriorate. The example of Christ is reflected in our lives in humanity's darkest hours. Christ is the light of the world, and we should let Him shine through us.

When foundations are destroyed, the righteous should not stand still. He must rebuild what is destroyed. Our call is not just to stand by and observe the destruction. Our call is to share in building up whatever is destroyed, especially in the moral and spiritual realm. What if what we have rebuilt is destroyed again?

The righteous should be determined to build it again and again and again.

Writer of the Month: Ghassan Khalaf from Lebanon. Amidst bombings and destruction, Brother Khalaf faithfully visited victims of war to encourage them in their faith.

[Judy Harder]

David knows the balance between asking God for things and offering up prayers of thanksgiving. He calls on God for help, but he does not forget to thank Him for answered prayer.

David

To you I call, O Lord my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.
Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.
Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.
(Psalm 28:1-3, 6-9)