My Testimony: Rebirth

Jesus Christ said in John 3:3

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Marc Benjamin Wozniewski (from death to life)

Proverbs 10:23(a)

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool.

Psalm 119:71

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

Psalm 119:67

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

Psalm 119:92

If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.  

Psalm 119:93

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.

Proverbs 1:23

If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.

Psalm 119:9

How can a young man keep his way pure; by guarding it according to your word.

Psalm 118:14

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Psalm 119:11

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Romans 6:20-23

When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.  But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?  The end of those things is death.  But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 119:33-38

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statues; and I will keep it to the end.  Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.  Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.  Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!  Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.  Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.

Psalm 119:49

Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope!!  Amen.

-May God stir your heart by His word; may you put your trust in Him alone.  God bless you.

-Act"S"aved, Marc.

Gifts from God: Faith. & Suffering??

Phillipians 1:29-30 says,

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Paul, in prison in Rome touches on the purposes of his suffering:

v. 1:7 - says for the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

v. 1:9 - so others love would abound more and more, understanding his chains with knowledge and discernment.

v. 1:12 - for the advancement of the gospel

v. 1:14 - to embolden and give courage and confidence to other believers whom will proclaim the gospel.

v. 1:25 - for the progress and joy in the faith concerning Paul's brothers/sisters in Christ.

v. 1:26 - for Jesus Christ's Glory.

So, as God has given you the gift to believe in him, this faith is partnered with power.  Be encouraged to engage in this conflict so worthy; defending, confirming, and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ - the power of Salvation.

-God bless you as you make a decision to:  Act"S"aved.

Marc Woz.

Vietnam: Linh Dao

Psalm 86:11 - Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

As Linh Dao and her mother approached the prison, she knew what she would do.  But she would have to make it look impetuous, like the act of a young girl overcome by emotion.

Linh's father is an underground pastor in Vietnam.  A year earlier, when she was ten, four police officers burst into her home and ransacked it, searching for Bibles that she had hidden in her school knapsack.  Her father was arrested and sentenced to reeducation through hard labor.  As they reached the chain-linked fence separating them from Linh's father, Linh saw her opportunity.  She quickly squeezed through a gap in the fence, darted to her father, and hugged him tightly.  The guards watched her, surprised, but left her alone.  After all, what harm could a little girl do?

Linh's family was able to smuggle their father a small pen with which he wrote Scriptures adn sermons on cigarette paper.  These "cigarette sermons" were circulated from cell to cell and brought many prisoners to Christ.  

Linh Dao is now an impetuous teenager who does not worry about the risk before doing what is right.  Her desire is to follow in the footsteps of her father and be a preacher of the gospel.  She knows firsthand the dangers of sharing her faith in Communist Vietnam and remains "impulsive" to obey Christ rather than humans!!

One of the reasons believers are not more impulsive in their witness for Christ is that they hear two voices when they should only hear one.  Impulsive obedience can never arise from divided attention.  We hear God's voice in our hearts immediately telling us what we should do in a certain situation.  "Say it now.  Share your faith."  Yet we simultaneously hear our own voice presenting all sorts of excuses.  "Not now.  Later.  What are you doing?"  God offers us an undivided heart that listens to his voice alone.  When we mature in our faith, we learn that obedience comes naturally - as impulsive as a reflex.  To what voice will you listen today?

-This Testimony & Commentary taken from:  Extreme Devotion www.persecution.com

William Hunter (1555)

*A Brother to every Christian*

His Story:

Provide all the incentives a young adult might want - those were the bishop's tactics.  Just offer the lad what he needs and doesn't have.  Offer him money.  Offer him a bit of public honor.  That's enough for any boy.  He'll take it.  London's Bishop Bonner was confident.  He knew the mind of London's youth.  But Bonner, trying to buy William Hunter's obedience, instead brought the judgement of history upon himself and his queen.

William Hunter's case was clear enough.  Raised in a Christian home, he learned the Bible and loved it.  He trusted God and distrusted the established church.  The charge against him was just as clear.  Queen Mary had decreed that everyone in London must take Mass.  No ambiguity there.  But young Hunter did not take Mass.  Even in the big city, he could hide only so long.

The lawbreaker was finally caught.  He explained to the sheriff that reading the Bible, even alone, was worship.  He had obeyed the edict, just not in the edict's required way.  Then the bishop got involved, even though he certainly must have had more important responsibilities.  Who was this young boy?  Why should he be petulant?  Failing to coax him by money, Bonner had William Hunter placed in stocks.  For two days Hunter crouched in the wood frame without food or water.  Now will you obey the Queen?  No?  To Newgate prison then.  No honor awaits you there.

For the next 9 months Willian Hunter carried chains around the dismal prison - all for reading a Bible, for not taking the Mass, for defying the Queen's express order.  By February 9, 1555, Bishop Bonner had troubled himself enough with this boy.  Still No?  Then back to Brentwood with you, your home village, to be burned as a heretic.

On March 26, with Psalm 51 on his lips, William Hunter, Bible reader, age 19, died in the fire lit by bailiff Richard Ponde, acting on orders of the state.  

As the wood ignited, William's brother yelled to him, "Think on the holy passion of Christ, William, and be not afraid of death!!"

The sheriff said to his convict:  "I would no more pray for you than for a dog."

"I AM NOT AFRAID," William replied.

Today a monument in Brentwood carries this message:

William Hunter:  Martyr

Committed to the flames March 26 MDLV

Christian Reader, learn from his example to value the privilege of an open Bible.

And be careful to maintain it.

**May the Lord, by this Testimony change our hearts!!  Know that the true testimonies of Saints like William encourage us far more than a wimpering flesh that says with laziness, "Yeah, I should do a bit more Bible reading......"

May we be rebuked by these Testimonies and rush to Repentance; followed by urgent and Faithful Obedience - The time is short.

**Act"S"aved**

.....COMING SOON!!!

.......Please stay Tuned for Powerful Testimonies of those Saved by Jesus Christ!!  Amen.