Christian Nigerians killed

We live in a dangerous world.  It's easy to forget when our feet are propped up and our TV tuned in, but there are those in other places dying as Christians.  Here's an example:

Iran: Maryam and Marzieh free

I've been praying for these young women for several months and wanted to share this news:

Voice Of the Martyr’s friend, Elam Ministries, which serves the growing church in Iran, has announced that Maryam Rustampoor and Marzieh Amirizadeh have been released from Evin Prison in Tehran. Family members picked them up at the prison this afternoon, Iran time.

The two women immediately expressed thanks to Christians around the world who had prayed for them during their 259 days in prison.

“Words are not enough to express our gratitude to the Lord and to his people who have prayed and worked for our release," they said.

The pair was released without bail, but charges against them have not been formally dropped and they may still face a court hearing in the future.

Maryam and Marzieh were arrested March 5 and have been held in the notorious Evin Prison since then. Though their health has suffered greatly during their incarceration, they have steadfastly refused to denounce their Christian faith.

“We are thankful to the Lord for sustaining Maryam and Marzieh—physically and spiritually—during their time in prison,” said VOM’s Todd Nettleton. “We also thank all those who prayed for them and wrote letters to them at www.prisoneralert.com.”

Please continue to pray that Maryam and Marzieh will recover physically from their ordeal, and pray that all charges against them will be dropped. Pray also for other Christians in Iran who are persecuted for their faith in Christ

Iran: Women: We Love Christ!

UPDATE: On Aug. 8, Marzieh and Maryam were summoned to an Iranian court and ordered to deny their faith verbally and in a written statement, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts.

Marzieh and Maryam were pressured to recant their faith after the chief interrogator recommended they be charged with apostasy. Praise God, they stood firm and replied, “We love Jesus. We will not deny our faith.”

VOM contacts reported the deputy prosecutor, Mr. Haddad, aggressively questioned the women during the court proceedings. Haddad asked them if they regretted becoming Christians. They replied they had no regrets. When Maryam and Marzieh made reference to their belief that God had convicted them through the Holy Spirit, Haddad told them, it was impossible for God to speak with humans. Marzieh boldly asked him if he was questioning God’s authority and he replied she was not worthy for God to speak to her.

The court adjourned when Haddad told the women a judge would render the verdict although it is not clear which judge is handling their case. Marzieh and Maryam were arrested by Iranian security forces in March and labeled "anti-government activists."

Marzieh and Maryam's apartment was searched and their belongings were confiscated. "Their only crime is that they are committed Christians who follow the teachings of Jesus. They are being unfairly labeled as 'anti government activists' because of the hostility of the government towards practicing Christians.

The women have reportedly been interrogated numerous times and were held in three different police detention centers before being sent to Evin Prison. They are still being held in Evin prison. VOM encourages you to continue praying for Marzieh and Maryam’s release. Ask God to heal, encourage and protect them. Pray they will continue to stand for Christ during this difficult time.

Please visit the Voice of the Martyrs website here.

Captured in Iran

Maryam Rostampour (27) and Marzieh Esmaeilabad (30) are active members of Iran's Christian community. After being arrested by Ministry of Intelligence officers on March 5, they faced a hearing in a Revolutionary Court on March 18.

Accused of "acting against state security" and "taking part in illegal gatherings," they were imprisoned without charge in the notorious Evin Prison. There they shared an overcrowded cell with 27 other women. They are both very ill and are not receiving adequate medical attention.

With its hard-line stance against dissidents, advocacy for Iran seems hopeless, but we can enter the courts of the Lord, and "with God nothing will be impossible," (Luke 1:37 NKJV). (Source: Assist News Service)

Please pray for the lives of Maryam and Marzieh and for the healing of their bodies and minds. Pray for their protection from mistreatment and torture.

Pray the efforts of advocacy groups on the women's behalf do not go unnoticed or ignored by the Iranian government, but that they would be moved to release these sisters in Christ.

Information is from Voice of the Martyrs.

Keeping what they could not lose

The days held the anticipation of spring, with new fragrance and life at every turn. The sisters both looked forward to weddings within a year, easily financed by their well-placed father. To top it off, the sisters shared their new-found faith with their fiancés. The four often attended worship services together, joyfully singing and praying to their Savior.

The fly in the ointment was the year, for the sisters had the misfortune to be born into third century Rome. Their father was an important gentleman in Rome under the emperor Valerian, who reigned during an unsettled time for the empire. Whatever his motivation, Valerian massacred Christians.

Refina and Secunda, our beautiful and accomplished sisters, were engaged to Armentarius and Verinus. The two men renounced their new faith when faced with financial loss, and encouraged their fiancees’ to do the same.

This was not the first time that Rome had gone after Christians, although there had been no problems for 10 years or so. Refina and Secunda refused to deny their Savior. Disappointed with this stubbornness, the young men then reversed their bad situation. They turned in their betrothed.

Refina and Secunda were arrested and killed. No trial, no probation.

These women shed an idyllic life – the dream of many – for a brutal death. Not only were they forced to make a difficult stand for their faith, but they were betrayed by the young men they loved and trusted.

I wonder what their neighbors thought. Or the boy at the market? The soldier who arrested them? Some today want to portray Christianity as a religion of blessings and happiness: pray, open your Bible, and you’ll reap the harvest of good fortune and contentment. What if it isn't?

Conviction is convincing.

Jim Elliot said it well: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

The author of Hebrews said it even better:

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Heb 12:2-3