Hearts of Fire: My Own Race to Run
Hearts of Fire is Written by the Voice of the Martyrs. This 293-page book highlights 8 women’s stories of faith and gets you thinking about your own. This book has brought me a depth of conviction and encouragement, because it highlights what God can do, when a heart is fully surrendered and then empowered by the Holy Spirit, allowing ordinary women to do the impossible, in the face of persecution and/or testing.
During a small gathering for my birthday in February, a sister in Christ told me about “this amazing book,” Hearts of Fire, and I wanted to start reading it, immediately. Early March, I was at the Grove’s annual rummage sale, and there it was! I was ecstatic. I also thought about starting a book club, so I began to pray. Shortly after, the same friend sent a text to the women from that lunch with a link to get a free copy of the book. A few said they also wanted to read it – this was the nudge I needed to start my first book club. Over the course of 12 weeks, 7 ladies and I read this book.
In the story of Adel, when things would get very physically tough, she would repeat the phrase, ‘There is power in the blood of Jesus.’ Such an encouragement to repeat truth, in the midst of dark and trying times. What does the blood of Jesus mean to you? Her story continues down a path she did not desire, and hatred begins to grow in her heart. Have you been in a situation where forgiveness seemed impossible? “…while we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Power and forgiveness are found in the blood of Jesus.
The second story is of Purnima, a 13-year old that comes to faith after she witnesses a miracle and her older sister coming to faith. Disowned by her family and town, she and others are forced to move to a refugee camp. What liberties or rights is God calling you to lay down for the sake of His kingdom? “If anyone desires to come after Me [Jesus], let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24).
Sabina (and her husband Richard) is written from a first and second perspective, allowing the reader into thoughts and emotions. For instance, “How could God allow this to happen? She wondered how she could ever overcome the pain,” (121) and, “A hundred doubts and anxieties pierced her heart every waking moment” (129). How’s your thought life, and what does it mean to take it captive? “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Tara is a 12-year old girl, in Pakistan. She is from an affluent and high profile, Muslim family, and she comes to faith in Jesus Christ. Her conversion results in loss, suffering and persecution, from her biological family and, regrettably, the church. But her quest to pursue God was strong, “From the first day the Bible curriculum arrived, Tara pored over the material…Two and a half years later...she had completed the entire course, studying every book of the Bible (161), but, “Producing more questions than answers. She was determined to understand…she was diligently searching for the truth. Each day she pored over the scriptures…she had to find out what the Christian Faith was all about” (165-166). What does it look like to draw near to God, and what do your bible reading habits look like? Do you study, not just read the word? What is your attitude, when you come to God’s word? “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Ling is an unlikely 9-year old Chinese convert – unlikely because of her hard, resistant heart. Ironically, her voice and resolve are transformed to win other, unlikely converts to Jesus, by her everyday living…in prison. Is there someone in your life that does not believe in God, and, as a result, you have written off as never believing, so you do not share your faith with? “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
Embarking from Australia, Gladys receives a calling to serve as a missionary in India at a young age. But the road is not as straight as you would assume, and she does not arrive until the age of 30. This story resonates with me, because of mine and my Husband’s calling for missions – she was ready, continued to prepare, and, at the right time, God opened the door. One might presume the delay was because He was preparing her for intense suffering and a platform to display His character, by forgiving a horrific evil. What does it mean to delight in the Lord? Do you delight in Him? Is God enough? “Delight yourself also in the lord, and he shall give you the desires of your heart” (243, Psalm 37:4).
The last story starts with Mai, a 17-year old high-school student from Vietnam, running with her older brother to get to a boat. Her father has just paid their way to escape to China, in hopes of getting a visa and a new life in the West. Upon arriving, she stumbles across a church that has a banner that says, “God so loved the world” (265). Her curiosity caused her to enter and keep returning. In time, she accepted Christ as her personal Lord and savior. Her prayer became, “Use me. Any way You want to, anywhere You want to. Just use me” (269). Do you pray for God to use you any way and place? Do you really mean it? “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
“In all this you greatly rejoice [knowing believers have a living hope & eternal inheritance], though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6-7). What can you learn from their endurance in such grievous of trials and suffering? First, they came to believe in Jesus Christ and surrendered their lives to God. Second, they were students of God’s word and women of prayer. Third, they were empowered by the Holy Spirit – “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witness to Me…to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). “If you are only amazed at these incredible stories, we [the Voice of Martyrs] have failed” (2). Similarly, if you are only amazed and know stories about God, you have missed the point. God created all things to bring Him glory….for eternity. Do not compare yourself to these women or others. How is God calling YOU to bring Him the glory He is due, now? Will you be faithful where He has you and allow Him to be Lord of your life? (Lord = complete control & final say, anywhere, anytime, anything.) If there is any condition, hesitation or fear, would you confess it to God, and allow him to cleanse and forgive you? “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). My prayer is that you, like Paul, would be able to say, “None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
Overall Takeaways (page numbers referenced on the right)
1. Praying for the persecuted church
2. Complete surrender: “letting God use us however He sees fit” (vi)
3. God’s sovereignty: “It is God’s plan...she was still alive, and there had to be a reason why” 8, 19
4. Praying for your enemies 17
5. Praying when all hope is lost 17, 19, 24, 189
6. Anger and hatred are natural responses in your flesh to sin/evil, but you must pray and ask God to take it away 21 and to bring people to repentance 24
7. Comparison and condemnation are from the enemy – God has you where he has you, and that does not make you a “less than Christian”
8. Dying to self occurs on a daily basis, not just martyrdom 28
9. In the midst of hardship, God gives peace and freedom 39
10. Marriage is defined and preserved by God 41
11. Reading and memorizing scripture 42-43, 205
12. Captivity is more than just physical 44
13. You must count the cost 46, 63
14. Faith and bible reading go hand in hand 48
15. Your witness 50-53, 72
16. Preaching the gospel is always possible
17. God’s hand is always on you 60
18. Knowing/using your spiritual gifts 61
19. Beauty of bearing with one another 65, 71
20. Lose your life to find it 66
21. The enemy is lurking and actively attacking physically and spiritually
22. Be faithful where you are 68
23. Called to suffer for Christ 69
24. Attacks of despair come, but how you respond is critical 71-72
25. Acknowledging your weaknesses and entrusting them to God 74
26. Attitude telling others about Christ
27. Spurring one another to preach 85
28. Starting a gospel conversation is as simple as asking: what awaits you beyond the grave? Seek God while He is to be found 86
29. The way of the world is to trust in man 90
30. Refuse the easy, passive choice to keep your “freedoms” and avoid suffering 96
31. Suffering comes as a result of faithfulness to God 101, 107
32. Speaking up for Christ 109
33. Praying for your spouse 111
34. Loving your enemies 112
35. God loves all sinners 112
36. False securities 114
37. Telling of God’s faithfulness/might 114
38. The home can be used as a place to witness 117
39. Acknowledge your emotions, and take them captive 115, 118, 121, 129
40. Suffering may seem insurmountable 121
41. You must not be reluctant to restore that which was entrusted to your keeping; God gives and takes away 122
42. The Bible is a weapon 124
43. Encouragement 135
44. “You feel shame over what you have done, and rightly so...you can’t allow his name to be defiled” 143
45. Rebuke/confronting sin (faithful is the wound of a friend) 150
46. Loving the Lord with all your strength 157
47. Asking God for clear direction and willingness to follow 168
48. Betrayal in the church 171
49. Asking God to forgive you of all of your sins; giving your hearts completely to Him 174
50. Discipleship 175
51. Lamenting: “Days she could only cry” 176
52. Emmanuel-God was with her and that thought was enough 181
53. Compromise: “You are a Christian! How can you go on like that?” 187
54. God’s plans 198, 232
55. Simplicity of the gospel 200-207
56. Praying to be found worthy of the call 203
57. Reverence of God’s word 205
58. Keeping commitments 211
59. God’s timing 212
60. Suffering is a school 216
61. Praying for the persecuted church 216
62. Complete dependence on God 216
63. Time management 221
64. Obedience is learned 222
65. God will build His church 226
66. Individual responsibility 228
67. Frequent discouragement 234
68. Being unequally yoked is a distraction from God’s call 235
69. Ready to leave 236
70. Completely open to whatever God had in mind 237
71. “Heart-burn” for the gospel 240
72. Treating souls 241
73. Temptation was to hold on tightly to the thing and dear ones she loved most 245
74. Because he lives you can face tomorrow...you can face today 253
75. Blameless speech 255
76. Laziness 258, 270
77. The Holy Spirit increases knowledge; knowledge and witnessing go hand in hand 269
78. Life in general is hard; being a Christian is even harder (but praise be to God for sending His son and the Helper) 275
79. God calls and asks you to do specific things 276
80. Praying for salvation 283
81. You have the opportunity to bring Jesus to the nations 286
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