Terrorists lead people back to God

By -
 

Dear Jorge,
It's often in the midst of suffering that people find God, and sometimes God even uses terrorists for the good. This week in our regular edition we published the stories of two people who were kidnapped by notorious FARC terrorists in Colombia. They spent six years in the jungle under humiliating circumstances. But Jesus met them right there.
American Marc Gonsalves recalls that he didn't expect to survive captivity until he felt God's presence in the midst of a life-threatening bomb attack by Colombian military jets. "I was physically shaking, and I just called out to God to protect us," he said. "The next morning I woke up and I felt different." A Colombian hostage gave him a Bible, which he often read and discussed with fellow hostage French-Colombian Ingrid Betancourt. After her release last year Betancourt said: "Without Jesus at my side I would never have managed to survive the pain. Being a hostage places you in a situation of constant humiliation... faced with this you can either allow yourself to become ugly and bitter, filled with hate and vindictiveness, or you follow the other path, that is shown by Jesus, who said 'bless your enemies'." Both captives consider their release a miracle.
This week we remember Christ in his suffering and humiliation. He gave his life to restore us in our relationship to God. Isn't that a miracle?

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Marc van der Woude
joelnews.org


S E R V I C E

You receive this e-mail as a former reader of Joel News at harvey_ethel@hotmail.com. If you prefer to not receive any future updates from us, click on this link to sign off or send an e-mail to service@joelnews.org mentioning unsubscribe and your e-mail address in the subject line. Your request will be processed promptly.

The book of Acts is still happening today! Subscribe to our regular publication Joel News International, a weekly high-quality selection of the most inspiring stories on the advance of God's Kingdom in six continents: www.joelnews.org.



check out the rest of the Windows Live™. More than mail–Windows Live™ goes way beyond your inbox. More than messages

Popular posts from this blog

Chuck Pierce Shares A Powerful Word from Penny Jackson

By -
  Before the service on Sunday, the Spirit of God met with Penny Jackson. As He began to visit with her, she began to write what the Lord was saying. Reading through this incredible word, I saw it like an encounter experienced by the prophet Daniel. I divided the word into the way Daniel prayed: morning, noon, and night. I want to encourage you to read this word in three sections: Part 1 (morning), Part 2 (noon), and Part 3 (evening/night). Part 1: Morning “A timing is coming. A timing is approaching. It’s not long now. You feel it hovering. Be on alert. This will take your complete focus. I will speak in many ways. I will reveal in many ways. Before you do a thing, ask if I want you to be there…emotionally, spiritually, literally. I told you a long time ago that there would be a time when it would be dangerous to be where you were not to be. This is it. I told you that you would be able to hear My voice clearly for instructions. This is it. Don’t dare to do a thing unless I ...
Read more

Word for 2024-Focused On The Master Weaving This Beautiful Tapestry by Jorge Parrott

By -
Image
Focused On The Master Weaving This Beautiful Tapestry  ‘Take heart, fear not, even rejoice!’ Happy New Year!  “For thus says the Lord of hosts: “Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is Mine, and the gold is mine,’ says the Lord of Hosts.” Hag. 2:6-8   We have not come this way before.Joshua 3:4 ‘ Since you have never traveled this way before…’ We are clearly in a new place and new season.As we surrender and yield to the seven spirits of God and stay in His presence there is safety in the strong tower (Psalm 91.)   As we behold His presence in awe and wonder, his peace carries and leads us into this new exciting time in uncharted territory.Why? For we are covenant children of the most high. As God’s people walk in faith, courage, and authentic relationships in the ne...
Read more

Have I Really Forgiven?

By -
Image
Forgiveness is a widely discussed topic, yet after years of studying the Word, searching scripture on forgiveness, meditating on examples in the Bible, reading countless books, and listening to numerous sermons, I realized that I hadn’t truly forgiven or released many people from my heart. That’s why I felt compelled to write this article—to share my journey and insights on what genuine forgiveness looks like. In my mind, I thought I had, but the Holy Spirit showed me there was so much more. As I yielded to the Holy Spirit and asked Him to reveal those I still needed to forgive, He showed me specific events where I had held onto unforgiveness, hurt, pain, offense, or fear. Often, I needed to forgive myself. When we ask God for forgiveness, He does it without hesitation, yet we frequently struggle to release ourselves from guilt, shame, and other negative emotions. It’s almost like we tell ourselves we need to suffer for what we did, but Jesus took all condemnation on the cross, so we d...
Read more