For Christmas, Drew presented Kurt and me with a book by a recent chapel speaker at Moody Bible Spokane. Michael Paul is a former Muslim who miraculously came to faith in Messiah Jesus. Following his public conversion he faced two plus years of intense persecution, torture and abandonment by family and friends. Believers who became aware of his situation prayed fervently for his release and escape to America and freedom. Today he is living out the powerful answer to those prayers here in the states as he serves on staff with Candlelight Christian Fellowship as an ambassador for Christ Jesus to those within the Muslim faith.
In the opening to his book entitled Underground, he begins with praise to the Father and thanks to the church. The following is an excerpt that I share here (and I quote exactly as it’s printed) because it echos so well what the Sauder family feels in our hearts toward each of you:
“Before I start I want to come before God with all of you and lift our hands to praise and rejoice Him for everything He has done for me through you. This is one way He shows us His glory and victory.
One time I asked Him,’Lord, why are You still keeping me here as I suffer and struggle?’ He answered me in His lovely and generous way. He wants to use His faithful people in helping with my situation.
He did use all of you; I belive that.”
Over this past year, the Father has used all of you in our lives; we believe that! We have experienced your grace, generosity, sacrifice and service over and again. Quite literally Almighty God poured out His strength and encouragement day by day, even moment by moment through you and continues to do so. Like Moses with hands raised, you have remained on either side of us, lifting us, to help us fight this battle.
We want to thank you one more time and we’re certain it won’t be the last time. We are leaning on you and your love is amazing. As you continue to intercede, we covet your prayers that we will persevere with joy, really, truly with great joy (we all know that’s supernatural), allowing God to squeeze out all the glory He has ordained for this season. Pray against physical pain and emotional discouragement. Ask for fruit for the Kingdom that can multiply out of this time. That we will continually remember who the enemy is and instead of getting frustrated and turning against each other, that we will work together in unity.
In his opening paragraph, Michael Paul refers to victory. At the end of each year the Spirit directs me to a theme through a verse that serves to guide me through the New Year to come. For 2014 I am being led to victory and Psalm 98:1.
“O sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.”
In many ways over this next year I expect that we will experience together God’s great victory. Not sure exactly how that will go or what that might look like, but we can confidently proclaim this truth: Christ wears the Victor’s crown!” Yes and Amen!
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE THE SAUDER FAMILY.
FAITH IS THE VICTORY.
Pollock’s
Kristen
You and your family continue to be in our entire family’s prayers! We had the great honor of praying for your family before we began our Christmas Celebration this year and we are all blessed by your faithful journey! We too have been on that journey and know how the enemy can wear you and your loved ones down. We will continue to lift you all up and proclaim with you that Christ does wear the Victor’s crown!! Ron and Marilyn Colyer and Family!
We are so grateful for the faithfulness and for the example you and your whole family show us during this horrendous trial! Thank you so much! How strange, and yet how wonderful that it ends up being you encouraging all of us! I remember when you interviewed Brad on Excellent Things (your radio show) when you and he talked about the serious illness he had gone through. His response was, “As hard as it was, I wouldn’t change a thing.” I have heard that many times from Believers, and wondered how that could be. Through your pain and suffering, I am hearing the same thing in your post. We love you more than words can say! Praying right now for all your requests and then some.
Amen and Amen!! We to are blessed by your faithful journey!!
Mike and Nelda Bayer
Continual prayers for your humble requests of our GREAT GOD. Pleading with HIM to “fix” the things that we can’t and to pour out an indescribable JOY over you and your precious family each day. WE LOVE YOU!!!
Kristen, thank you for being of great encouragement to us all. You have ministered to me with the power if your words and testimony more than you will ever know, and for that I am forever grateful. Our family will continue to keep you in our prayers. We love you all dearly. Yes, He wears the Victors Crown, for He has overcome!!!!
Kisa
When I read this blog, I was reminded of an old hymn:
VICTORY IN JESUS
I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood’s atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow’r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,”
And somehow Jesus came and bro’t
To me the victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there
The song of victory.
Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
Kristen…The one certainty we will always have is no matter what trials and struggles come into our lives, we will find victory in Jesus. I pray the new year will bring the miracle of healing to you and a glorious victory to our dear Savior…through the faithfulness of you and your family!
Love always…Pat
Praying without ceasing! God Bless you all
Kristen and Kurt,
We continue to be encouraged by your great faith and wisdom you all continue to impart on us. We remain in prayer for your family and will pray specifically for lessened pain and that peace that surpasses understanding for your hearts and minds. Love to all of you.
Lauren and Dave Peege
We have lifted you and your family in joint prayer daily through your journey. We think of the Marriage Cruise where we really got to know you and Kurt. I, Janet think of the talk you, Kristen, had with the women and the Bible studies I have done with women since sharing the things you shared and how much it has meant to myself and others. You two have touched so many lives – even in this time. Our faith in God never falters and we love you and your family!
Remembering each of you in prayer and thanksgiving!