Perhaps one of the most hidden and misunderstood regions of the world is the land that we call North Korea, the communist run country occupying the upper part of the Korean peninsula. From time to time that nation is thrust into the headlines, most recently when its rulers detonated an underground nuclear explosion within its tightly guarded borders. That event has caused an international uproar, further isolating North Korea from the global community.

Unimaginable Conditions Faced By Most

For nearly six decades, North Koreans have been living under the harsh control of its leaders, unable to communicate with the rest of the world and often deprived of life’s essentials. Indeed, at one point during the 1990s, things got so bad there that massive starvation took place with at least two million people believed to have died. All during that time the North Korean government maintained and expanded its military strength, threatening war with its neighbors.

Truly, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is as close to visibly embodying satanic cruelty as any nation is in modern times.

Open Doors ministry, which was founded by evangelist and Bible smuggler Andrew van der Bijl (Brother Andrew), has been keeping track of what is going on behind the Korean iron curtain especially as pertains to Christian believers residing there. Yes, followers of Jesus Christ are very active in the two Koreas with most living in the democratic south prospering financially while those in the repressive north fighting and praying for their survival.

Interceding For Those Who Don’t Yet Know Jesus

But, their own welfare isn’t a priority for North Korean Christians, rather they are concerned about their country’s instability and the impact that it is having on their fellow citizens. Open Doors has learned that leaders of the underground church have launched a prayer campaign for evangelism and have asked Christians in the west to stand with them in prayer as they evangelize and endure hardship.

Korean Christians are becoming more united even as the noose of persecution tightens. Open Doors has recognized North Korea as being the top persecuting nation for the past seven years and has been singled out by the U.S. State Department as being one of eight “countries of particular concern” when it comes to the assault on religious liberties.

North Korea’s Leader Fears Christians

Kim Jong-Il, the cult-like dictator currently ruling North Korea is rightfully concerned that Korean Christians could do for his country what they did for Eastern Europe – pray that the spiritual and political walls of oppression fall.

“Christians in North Korea are suffering terribly for their faith. Of the estimated 200,000 in political prison camps, an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 are Christians,” says Open Doors USA President/CEO Carl Moeller. “Now with the firing of several missiles and the on-going war footing, the scrutiny of believers has increased.

“What an awesome testimony that Christians inside North Korea have started a prayer campaign for evangelizing the entire country. We need to keep them in our prayers as they risk their lives for their faith.”

A pastor inside North Korea writes: “We thank God there are so many people who are praying for our country. Your prayers strengthen the Christians in North Korea.”

Let’s Keep Them In Prayer!

I’m in awe of God and I admire believers who lay it all on the line in order to advance His kingdom to the very ends of the earth. Let’s lift up our fellow believers in North Korea to Father God as well as all believers who are suffering for their faith. Together, we can turn back the kingdom of darkness, asking God to shine the light of Jesus Christ on the afflicted and breaking every stronghold.

Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name – Revelation 3:12 (NIV)

To learn more about the plight of our fellow believers, please visit the website of Open Doors USA.

Source: Open Doors USA

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I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way — in all your speaking and in all your knowledge — because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful — 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (NIV)

We live in a society that feasts on the salacious and upholds all that is contrary to the Word of God. Thus, it isn’t surprising that when you talk with some Christians you soon learn that their personal testimony is quite colorful.

That being said, I sometimes wonder if we look too much at the depth of someone’s personal sin rather than at the One who delivered them from their sin. Granted, grievous sin is just that — grievous — but, not everyone sins to the same degree. Yet, we all share one thing in common — we are each sinners in need of a Savior.

Going With The Edited Testimony

There are aspects of my previous life I’m just not willing to share with everyone. In fact, there aren’t too many people who know the intimate details of my early years as I’ve chosen to focus on what my life has been like since I started following Jesus in 1985. I have enough regrets about some of my earlier life choices, youthful decisions made that sometimes effect me to this day. I prefer to concentrate on what Jesus has done for me since then and make those things my personal testimony of God’s goodness, riches, faithfulness and love.

One thing that every Christian should keep in mind is that their personal testimony is all theirs. You can’t refute what a person has experienced though you may try to explain away the changes they have gone through. Inasmuch as some refuse to give God credit where credit is His due, the person giving the testimony knows what is true. The hearer must have a heart to receive what is said, but that is a work of the Holy Spirit to prepare them to receive your testimony and not something you must do.

Testifying Moment By Moment

I usually prefer to give people current news of what God has done for me because the experience is fresh and that person may already know something about what I’ve been going through. For example, I recently had a pressing financial need and felt the Lord leading me to pray specifically for certain events to occur to help me see His hand at work.  God had me pray for a release of funds from a prospective customer and, when things were at its bleakest, He impressed upon my heart to persist in prayer.

The client not only came through while I was praying, but he chose a double portion of what he originally ordered. Moments later the funds were deposited in my account and, in an unusual twist, the client absorbed all related fees!

I can think of many situations down through the years where God intervened to help me, but this most recent event is included in my personal testimony. What’s more, I fully expect that I’ll have an updated testimony to share, many more examples of God’s work in my life, the same kind of work He can do in the life of anyone who submits to His will.

Photo Credit: SCapture

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