Visiting The Voice of The Martyrs Headquarters

Recently, on the way to Tulsa, my family and I stopped at the Voice of the Martyrs headquarters in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is a nonprofit, interdenominational missions organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. It was founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand. 

Pastor Richard Wurmbrand was an evangelical minister who endured 14 years of Communist imprisonment and torture in his homeland of Romania. 

In 1945, when the Communists seized Romania and attempted to take control of the churches, Pastor Wurmbrand began an effective, vigorous "underground" ministry to oppressed believers as well as to the Russian soldiers occupying his country. He was arrested in 1948, along with his wife, Sabina, who was imprisoned for three years. Pastor Wurmbrand spent three years in solitary confinement and was, then, transferred to a group cell, where the torture continued for another five years.

After more than eight years in prison, Pastor Wurmbrand was released, immediately resuming his work with the underground church. A couple of years later, in 1959, he was re-arrested and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Pastor Wurmbrand was released through a general amnesty in 1964, again resuming his underground ministry. A group of Christians in Norway, realizing the probability and danger of a third imprisonment, negotiated his family's emigration from Romania.

In May 1966, Richard Wurmbrand testified before the U.S. Senate Internal Security Subcommittee, where he stripped to the waist to show 18 scars from torture wounds covering his torso.

His story was carried in newspapers throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Pastor Wurmbrand was warned in September 1966 that Romania's Communist regime planned to assassinate him, but he refused to be silenced.

As co-founders of The Voice of the Martyrs, Pastor Wurmbrand and Sabina traveled throughout the world establishing a network of more than 30 offices that provide relief to families of imprisoned Christians in Islamic nations, Communist nations, and other countries where Christians are persecuted because of their faith. Their message has been, "Hate the evil systems, but love your persecutors. Love their souls, and try to win them for Christ."

Voice of the Martyrs is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission - no matter the cost.

Being at the VOM headquarters was, not only sobering, but humbling and emotional. 

Outside of the main building, is the Martyrs Memorial.

The  polished black marble shined like glass and reflected our faces as we read through the names of Christians that had been martyred throughout the centuries.

Some of the names we recognized...

Dietrich Bonhoeffer...

...William Tyndale and others.

Some of the martyrs were killed long, long ago...

Others...not so long ago at all...

Once inside, the story of the Wurmbrands and the history of VOM unfolded. There were a number of artifacts and a replica of the cell that held Pastor Wurmbrand in solitary confinement. 

Additionally, stories were shared, as were Bibles (or remnant pages of Bibles) and other personal items from members of the persecuted church around the world.

There were also very old copies of the works of Josephus and Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

The grounds at the VOM headquarters were beautiful and we were grateful to have had the opportunity to visit. We hope to go back someday and volunteer in their distribution center. 

To find out more about Voice of the Martyrs and to subscribe to their free magazine click HERE.

I also highly recommend reading Tortured For Christ by Richard Wormbrand and watching the movie of the same title on Amazon. You can also find the documentary Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand there, as well.

The movie Sabina:Tortured For Christ The Nazi Years was recently release and was showing for free on VOM. I don't know that they're still running it for free at this point, but it can be purchased through the site. It is so good!

Above all else, I'd like for you to just take a moment to reflect on, and pray for, the persecuted church. 

As Christians, here in America, we've not known the kind of persecution that the Wurmbrands and countless others around the world have experienced. Our day may very well be coming, but, for now, let us realize how truly blessed (and protected) we have been. Let us seek the heart of God as to how to how He would direct us in assisting those that are under the gun right now for their faith in Christ, for there are many. 

"When others are bent on revenge, on ways of doing more evil than their neighbor, God gives the ability to return good for evil." 

                                                                ~Sabina Wurmbrand

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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There's no doubt that we are moving into some hard economic times in our nation...perhaps some of the hardest that we've ever experienced as a whole. 

In the midst of supply chain disruptions and the rising costs of gas, food, and everything else, in what areas are you and your family feeling the biggest impact thus far? In what areas do you anticipate feeling the biggest crunch in the months ahead? And what steps are you and family taking now to prepare for the coming winter?  

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Peace in the Midst of Insanity (COVID-19)

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When I first starting seeing reports about COVID-19 I didn't pay much attention. In the nearly sixty years that I have been on this earth I have seen, lived through, and experienced a lot.

I was born in the midst of the Vietnam War and witnessed daily reports of its horrors until it finally ended in 1975. I was 14-years-old and I was an only child; a lot of my friends lost brothers and other family members in that war. Over a million people died; 58,148 were U.S. soldiers. Another 75,000 were severely disabled, 23,214 were 100% disabled, 5,283 lost limbs, and 1,081 sustained multiple amputations. 11,465 of those killed were under the age of 20 years old. It was a scary time.

U.S. Soldier - Vietnam War (1955-1975)
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On the homefront during the 60's and on into the 70's, in addition to daily news coverage of the war, we had civil unrest on every front...war protesters, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Black Power, race riots, black against white, white against black, police and members of the National Guard swarming our streets with guns and teargas in attempt to keep the peace. It was a scary time.

Race Riots in Kansas City, Missouri - 1968
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Then there were the hippies, Hare Krishna, Helter Skelter, Charles Manson, the Age of Aquarius, the Jesus Freaks, the Moonies, and the list goes on and on. It was a scary time. A very scary time. A time of insanity. 

I grew up in fear. In fear of everything...literally! 

In addition to the daily 24-hour-a-day fear of the effects of war and civil unrest, there was unrest in the extended family and that often ended up being brought to our doorstep and spilling over into my world. My mom and dad always put an end to it, but, it sure got scary when they were dealing with drunken relatives and the myriad of colorful behavior that accompanied them...crying, cursing, brawls in the middle of the livingroom floor, threats made with a drawn switchblade knife, and the windshield of my aunt's car being busted out by the kicking cowboy boots of the drunk that was sitting on top of her car. It was a scary time.

Then, there was the fear of every other possible thing...heights, water, dreams, ghosts, demons, the end of the world...you name it and I was afraid of it. I lived in constant fear. But, at the time, I didn't know that there was any other way to live. I had lived with fear, day-in and day-out my entire life. Sadly, fear was my closest companion and I lived with it well into my 30's...maybe even into my early 40's. BUT, at some point in there (late 90's...early 2000's), I came to the realization of the truth...fear only has as much power as I give it! 

I met Jesus at the alter of an old, country church when I was 7-years-old and I clung to Him daily during the worst times of my life...even when I wasn't living (didn't know the first thing about how to live) for Him at all. In the worst and most frightening times of my life, I slept with my Bible under my pillow and drew upon scriptures that I had memorized as a child. That's all I knew to do and, at the time, God met me where I was, and I was comforted.

In later years...after learning from teachers and preachers that point you to the Word of God instead of their own opinions or church doctrine, I learned to actually open a Bible and read it for myself. As I began to grow, I learned that fear is the opposite of faith.

What was I putting my faith in? Was I putting it in God, His Word, and the finished work of Jesus on the cross? Or was I putting my faith in the things that I feared and their ability to harm, hurt, undo, or destroy me? I had some soul-searching to do!!!

At first it was hard. I wanted to believe...but...and you can fill in the blank here with any and every excuse known to man, because I used them all! 

The truth of it is, though my battles are fewer, fought less often, and with much less intensity than in the past, fear produced from past experiences and fear of the unknown are still some of the biggest battles I struggle with on a daily basis. What I choose to do with those fears are up to me and I choose not to make excuses for them anymore. Fear is fear and I have authority over it. The question is...will I take it?

Today, I know that the weapons of my warfare are not carnal and that I don't have to put up with fear. It only has as much room to work in as I allow it, so, as soon as fear starts creeping around, I draw my Sword and give no quarter to the enemy.

So...what about COVID-19?

When I first started hearing the reports about COVID-19 I just blew them off. I figured that the media was making a big deal out of nothing and that it would blow over and fizzle out before it even got started. Whatever happened with it, it probably would never effect us here in the Midwest. Pray for those effected and go on. (Maybe not the best attitude to have, but it's the one that I had.)

As the reports of COVID-19 and the effects it was having around the world and, now, the U.S. started to increase my ears began to perk up a bit. When a call came from the nursing home on Tuesday, restricting our visits to Pat, the reports got my full attention. What on earth was happening???

By Thursday store shelves were completely emptied of things like flour, bread, hand sanitizer, disinfectant sprays, and toilet paper, and I was told at work that we were to increase our cleaning and disinfecting efforts; as of yesterday afternoon all of our upcoming programs were to be cancelled immediately through April 30th (hikes, homeschool, public school, library, nature bingo, everything), and all items on display that could not easily be wiped and disinfected were removed and packed away. At 3:00 Friday afternoon President Trump declared a national emergency and at 5:00 Missouri Governor Parsons declared a state emergency. At present there are four known cases of COVID-19 in our state. It's a scary time.

Does that mean that we give way to fear and panic? NO!!!

Now is the time to pull in, draw close to God, stay in His Holy Word, and stand in faith against all that is contrary to the promises found therein.

COVID-19 is real. There are people that have it. Sadly, there are people dying from the complications of it right now; some have died already. There are grieving families and people that are scared. For some, this will not make sense, I know...but, the truth is...Jesus has already paid for it with His blood. 

Now is not the time to give in to fear or panic; now is the time to rise up in spirit, stand on Truth, and prioritize! What's the most important thing in your life to you?

The bottom line is...what you do with Jesus...whether you choose to accept or reject Him...is the most important decision that you will ever make. To accept Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior leads to eternal life; to reject Him leads to eternal damnation in Hell. (If you've not accepted Jesus as your personal Savior and would like to find out more click HERE.)

Once you've accepted Jesus into your heart and made Him the Lord of your life, then it's time to get into His Word. Read it, listen to it being read on CD, keep it in your eyes, keep it in your ears, get it out of your head and down into your heart, memorize it, and stand on it! Pray before your read and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your reading and invite the Living Word of God to permeate your entire being. Then...live it!

In these scary times that we find ourselves today, there are only two choices available by which to live...

# 1 - You can choose to stand firmly on God's Word, its promises, and in faith based entirely on the finished work of Jesus at the cross.

# 2- Or you can give way to the enemy and live in fear.

Which will you choose?

Here is something for you to stand on in these troubled times...

Psalm 91 King James Version (KJV)

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Until next time...

~Rebecca

 

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