Community Compass

On July 2, Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers evicted prominent house church leader Pastor Hua Huiqi and his family from their home in Beijing, China.

According to China Aid Association (CAA), “Hua and his family were resting in their rental apartment when PSB officials led by Officer Yang Jian used a 10-pound hammer to break down the doors and locks of the apartment. Hua’s brother was beaten by police officers and suffered severe damage to his eye. Hua and his family, including his 90-year-old father, were forced onto the street with their furniture. They are currently in search of a new home and are being hosted by a Christian family in Beijing.”

See the rest of the article at THIS LINK

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty — yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Revelation 2:8-10a (See Revelation 2:8-11)

As Jesus addresses the seven churches in Asia Minor, He immediately identifies Himself to each church.  These churches existed in John’s day at the end of the first century a.d. and they would each face individual trials. It seems that as Christ identifies Himself, He mentions a particular aspect of His character that would be particularly poignant to each individual church.  To Smyrna, He identifies Himself as the one who “is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.”

The church at Smyrna wouldn’t be considered, by many today, as one of the great, foremost churches.  It was a persecuted church that Jesus loved.  Jesus,  who is “the first and the last” and the the one “who died and came to life again,” would be with them through their difficulties.  To say that He was the “first and the last” may mean that He is the eternal one.  To say that He “died and came back to life” is to say that He conquered death. He is the victor over death.  Such a view of Christ would inspire them to see beyond their immediate trials. Some would ultimately sacrifice their lives for Jesus Christ.  Their steadfast commitment would be strengthened by the One Who experienced torture and death and yet rose victorious.

There are many in this world today who will be persecuted or perhaps give their life for the cause of Christ. Stop and pray for them.  There are those who face conflicts that those of us in the free world will never face nor comprehend.  Pray that Christ will be real to these fellow believers. Pray that they will stand fast in the face of persecution.  Christ hasn’t abandoned them. He is in their very midst and He has called them to witness for him with sacrificing their lives and loved ones.

Hebrews 13:3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
He has called all of us to witness for Him with our lives.  He is with us. Yes, He’s even in the midst of the churches that don’t face religious persecution.  How should we witness for His greatness?   We are to LIVE FOR HIM. Others will see His difference in us.  How about you? For Whom are you living?

and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:1

Christ has told us,  “Lo, I am with you always” (see Matthew 28:18-20)    He has given us the ability to witness for Him by death, or by life.  He is in our midst.

Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
look at the earth beneath;
the heavens will vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment
and its inhabitants die like flies.
But my salvation will last forever,
my righteousness will never fail.

Isaiah 51:6

The prophet Isaiah was writing to the nation of Israel during a disturbing time. As God’s people they were going to be subject to His judgment because of their idolatry against Him. They were going to see some very hard times. Yet, in spite of their faithlessness to Him, God will one day bring them to Himself. Our text outlines the fact this very point. Even though they have, as a nation, rejected their Messiah, God will one day bring them to the point where they will accept His truth about Jesus and turn to Him.

He is faithful to His promises. He had promised to their ancestor Abraham that He would bless him and make him great. Part of that blessing was that he would bring his people to peace and that all of the world would see the greatness of the Lord and the glory of Israel. Obviously that hasn’t happened. But it will. God has established a New Covenant with them and they will return to Him (Jeremiah 31:31-34). He hasn’t run out of mercy and He doesn’t break His promises.

Similarly, those who have put their trust in Christ (the Messiah) are secure in the fact that the Lord’s salvation is forever. Think of it! Long after this life is over, we will be with the Lord. Long after all of the chaos and tumult of this world has ceased, we will “ever be with the Lord” (1 Thes 4:16-18). When this earth is replaced with a new heaven and new earth, God will still be righteous and we will be with Him.

These words were penned by Isaiah sometime around 700 B.C.. God has had the desire to dwell with us for a long time. In fact, He originally planned it that way (Genesis 1-2). But we, as humans rebelled against Him, and now, as sinners we are separated from Him. What is the answer? Read Isaiah 53. God planned it so that Jesus could take away our sin and make us new. His suffering was on your behalf. He fulfilled God’s righteous demand by living a perfect life and then dying on behalf of our sin, thereby taking our punishment (2 Cor 5:21).

So what do you need to do to receive the gift of forgiveness? Admit that you are a sinner that deserves eternal punishment and fully trust that Jesus died for your sin, personally. Don’t trust any of your own efforts to win His favor. If you ask Him to forgive you and make you new, He will do it. (John 3:16) He will make you His child. Now that’s something that will last forever!

When we’ve been there ten thousand years

Bright, shining as the sun

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise,

then when we first begun

- John Newton, Amazing Grace

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm  46:4-7

The Psalmist describes the presence of the Lord as a refreshing river that supplies the needs of the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  The “holy place where the Lord dwells” was, no doubt, the Temple or the Tabernacle.  What a secure feeling that would have given to the Old Testament believer.  The confusion and chaos of the political world could be crashing all around them (vs. 6) yet the Lord would protect them and deliver them from their enemies (vs. 5).

Think of the confidence expressed in this Psalm about God!  He is the Most High (vs.4) and the Lord Almighty (vs. 7a). No one can stand against the Most High and the Lord Almighty!  What a great way to recognize at His unfathomable power!

He is also the God of Jacob. God promised to give Jacob is unconditional love.  He would, in spite of all the mistakes and sins of Jacob, be faithful to him.  God would give Jacob 12 sons through whom the nation of Israel came. God would change his name from Jacob (meaning “deceiver”) to Israel (meaning “prince with God”).  Eventually, the Messiah (Jesus), would come forth through the family of Jacob. What Grace!  What faithfulness on God’s part! He is not only a powerful God,  but He is a faithful God!  He is faithful to His word and to His people!

Last fall, my brother-in-law and I went on a hike through the mountains of Eastern Washington. After hours of walking, we were very hot, tired, and thirsty.  It was time for a break.  Just as we stopped I heard the sound of rushing water.  After a little investigation, we found a flowing stream of ice-cold, pure water.  What a refreshing drink we had!  There is nothing better than life-giving water!   So it is with the Presence of our Lord.  He is the fountain of life and the refresher of our weary souls.  His presence is the river that makes us glad.

Do you know the Fountain of life?  You can.  Trust Him alone (not works) to forgive you and make you new.  Believe that Christ died for your sin.  Ask him to change you and make  you a new person.  He will do it.

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

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah - Psalm 46:1-3

America has seen its share of natural disasters lately.  While on vacation, my family and I went through Iowa. It was disheartening to see the flood ravaged fields.  To some poor farmer it means a big loss. I also read about all of the hundreds of raging wildfires sweeping through California.  Thank God they are starting to get them under control.  Then I’m reminded of the devastating typhoons and earthquakes that have struck the other parts of the globe.

Whether we admit it or not, we humans are utterly helpless when it comes to some things.  For the believer, it is comforting to know that even if everything (weather, politics, wars, etc.) seems to be spinning out of control,  God is in control. He is our refuge and strength.

Note the picture of uncontrolled “chaos”  in verses 2 & 3.  No man can stop this kind of catastrophic calamity!   Some commentators have speculated that the Psalmist was figuratively speaking of abject warfare (cf. verse 6).

Whatever the case, God is still in control and we are not to fear.  He is our place of safety (refuge) and our source of strength.  Because of this, the logical conclusion the Psalmist makes is “we will not fear.”  What a great resolve!  God is our place of perfect refuge and His infinite power backs us up — all the time — so we CAN FULLY TRUST HIM!

The Psalmist also says that God is a very present help.  Think of that for a moment.  He is not only able to help us, but He is willing, very willing to help us.  Somebody put it this way: “He is abundantly available for help.”  God doesn’t sit idly by and watch His children sink into despair.   He is there for you.  Is He your shelter, your strength, Your supply of help?

If you call on Him, He will hear you. So,  what are you waiting for?

When trials come no longer fear
For in the pain our God draws near
To fire a faith worth more than gold
And there His faithfulness is told
And there His faithfulness is told

Within the night I know Your peace
The breath of God brings strength to me
And new each morning mercy flows
As treasures of the darkness grow
As treasures of the darkness grow

I turn to Wisdom not my own
For every battle You have known
My confidence will rest in You
Your love endures Your ways are good
Your love endures Your ways are good

When I am weary with the cost
I see the triumph of the cross
So in it’s shadow I shall run
Till He completes the work begun
Till He completes the work begun

One day all things will be made new
I’ll see the hope You called me to
And in your kingdom paved with gold
I’ll praise your faithfulness of old
I’ll praise your faithfulness of old

Keith & Kristyn Getty
Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music

Happy Fourth of July everyone. I’ll be back, Lord willing, next week.