Friday, December 22, 2006
Praise The Lord!!!

Dear fellow workers in Christ,
Don't give up your good works. Continue to glorify the Lord!!! Here's a testimony from the press!!!

From: The Conservative Voice http://www.theconservativevoice.com/
by Grant Swank
Hindus Become Christians
December 21, 2006 12:00 PM EST



"'My dear friends and villagers, so many years I misunderstood Christianity and I persecuted the Christians a lot,' he began. 'But all these years I had no peace in my heart. Then I realized my sins and I came to know that only Jesus Christ could forgive my sins, and give me peace of mind. So whether you kill me or not, I am going to take baptism.'"
Per Gospel For Asia, this conversion testimony comes from a 105-year-old man who had brought pain to Christians over the years. However, he came to realize truth in Christ and gave witness to that personal conversion.

He spoke to his Hindu neighbors in the village. Because of his age, listeners particularly respected what he stated with "rapt attention, waiting to hear what he had to say. As the words began to tumble out of his mouth, the people knew something was drastically different."

Christian conversion does make a change in a person's attitude and demeanor. That is the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit; otherwise, the witness to conversion is merely words. However, when it is actual, then the life change is noticeable. As Scripture states, it is a move from darkness to light, from death to life, from unbelief to faith in Christ as Savior.

"The people were stunned at his bold confession of faith. They still could hardly believe their eyes when the centenarian and his family chose to be baptized and became active members of the local Gospel for Asia Believers Church.

"GFA leaders in Tripura, where this man lives, were not surprised at the turn of events. They had been fasting and praying that God would remove the veil of opposition from the man's eyes. Anti-Gospel sentiment is intense in this eastern Indian state.

"Some of the Christians who attend church are denied jobs because of their faith. Younger believers aren't allowed to attend college. Christian leaders and missionaries working in the area know there is only one way to break through the hardened hearts of their persecutors—fervent prayer."

Jesus promised His disciples results when they prayed and fasted for specific needs. Those earnest about their Christian faith over centuries have resorted to praying and fasting in order to show the divine the seriousness of their hearts toward various life situations. Sometimes outright miracles occur due to prayer and fasting. There is not only the change in outward circumstances but the change of a closer relationship to God for those who enter into prayer and fasting.

"The Lord heard their prayers and God began to soften the hearts of the persecutors. Some, like this elderly gentleman, responded by repenting and receiving Jesus as their Savior. God used this elderly man's powerful testimony of a changed life as a catalyst to change others who had previously opposed the Gospel.

"Another man who adamantly persecuted Christians was horrified when his son received Jesus as his Savior and went on to become a GFA missionary. This angry father fell ill and, as a result, became paralyzed. From his hospital bed, he heard about the 105-year-old man's conversion. Soon, this former persecutor was crying out to God, too.

"'I also did sin before God by persecuting the Christians,' he admitted. 'If God can forgive my sin, let Him forgive me and give me peace of mind!' He received Jesus as his personal Savior and chose to be baptized, too."

A reporter for the missions effort appealed to believers via media by stating that "GFA missionaries face persecution from anti-Christian groups every day, but they know that God is stronger than any man, so they pray and continue their work, counting on God to change the hearts of the persecutors. Continue to pray for them as they share Christ's love in these hostile environments."

Visit http://www.gfa.org/prayer-changes-persecutors-hearts