It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!
Patrick Henry
The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Henri Nouwen
The central question is, Are the leaders of the future truly men and women of God, people with an ardent desire to dwell in God’s presence, to listen to God’s voice, to look at God’s beauty, to touch God’s incarnate Word and to taste fully God’s infinite goodness?
The original meaning of the word “theology” was “union with God in prayer.” Today theology has become one academic discipline alongside many others, and often theologians are finding it hard to pray. But for the future of Christian leadership it is of vital importance to reclaim the mystical aspect of theology so that every word spoken , every advice given, and every strategy developed can come from a heart that knows God intimately.
Brother Yun
It’s not those in prison for the sake of the gospel who suffer. The person who suffers is he who never experiences God’s intimate presence
Jeremiah 6:16-19
16 This is what the Lord says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
17 I appointed watchmen over you and said,
‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
But you said, ‘We will not listen.’
18 Therefore hear, you nations;
you who are witnesses,
observe what will happen to them.
19 Hear, you earth:
I am bringing disaster on this people,
the fruit of their schemes,
because they have not listened to my words
and have rejected my law.
“Martyrs for the Lord” a song by Brother Yun taken from a book about his life entitled The Heavenly Man
“From the time the church was birthed on the day of Pentecost
The followers of the Lord have willingly sacrificed themselves
Tens of thousands have died that the gospel might prosper
As such they have obtained the crown of life.
Chorus:
To be a martyr for the Lord, to be a martyr for the Lord
I am willing to die gloriously for the Lord.
Those apostles who loved the Lord to the end Willingly followed the Lord down the path of suffering
John was exiled to the lonely isle of Patmos Stephen was stoned to death by an angry crowd.
Matthew was stabbed to death in Persia by a mob
Mark died as horses pulled his two legs apart Doctor Luke was cruelly hanged
Peter, Philip and Simon were crucified on a cross.
Bartholomew was skinned alive by the heathen Thomas died in India as five horses pulled his body apart
The apostle James was beheaded by King Herod Little James was cut in half by a sharp saw.
James the brother of the Lord was stoned to death
Judas was tied to a pillar and shot by arrows Matthias had his head cut off in Jerusalem Paul was a martyr under Emperor Nero.
I am willing to take up the cross and go forward To follow the apostles down the road of sacrifice That tens of thousands of precious souls can be saved
I am willing to leave all and be a martyr for the Lord.”
J. Sidlow Baxter
“Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers.”
