Burned to the Ground

Timothy lived in a small village in Vietnam. He had heard very little about the Christian faith and wasn’t really interested in knowing more. Then one day, an evangelist came to his village to share the Gospel and pray for the sick and dying. He witnessed multiple healings that could only be considered miraculous and he gave his heart to Jesus. He made it his mission in life to learn all he could about the Gospel so he could tell others about a loving God capable of healing the sickest among them. His transformation did not go unnoticed by the authorities who opposed Christianity. They came to Timothy’s village and demanded all of the Christians drink pigs’ blood and sacrifice to idols but everyone refused. In retaliation for Timothy standing up to the police, they burned down his house forcing him to flee his village. He settled down nearby with his family and started telling his neighbors about Christ almost immediately. He prayed for the sick and many were healed instantly. Word spread of Timothy and the powerful God he served and hundreds came to know Christ through his gift of healing. It did not take long for the authorities to track him down once again. When he was in their custody, they beat him viciously, severely injuring his eye, but after his church prayed for him, God restored his sight completely. Then the police burned his house to the ground a second time and beat his pregnant wife, making her lose the baby. Timothy moved his family to yet another village and built yet another house. He was heartsick and grieving for his wife and lost child, and determined not to share Christ with anyone. His revolve didn’t last though. He couldn’t keep silent about Jesus and, once again, many embraced the Gospel through his witness. When the police heard about the conversions they raided the village, they set Timothy’s house on fire for a third time forcing him to hide in the jungle with his wife and seven children. I was so angry and wanted to hurt the people that hurt my family. But God stopped me, He gave me peace,” Timothy said when asked how he could continue after so much suffering. Seven times his house has been demolished, seven times he has been protected from death, and seven times he has had the opportunity to settle into another village and preach the Good News.

Matthew 18:21 – 22 says: Then Peter came to him and said to Him, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” And Jesus said to him, I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

Timothy needs God’s wisdom to live each day for Jesus. In his own strength, he would fail. And so, he continues to pray and lean on the Lord continually.

They came to Timothy’s village and demanded all of the Christians drink pigs’ blood and sacrifice to idols but everyone refused.

Related Podcasts

Investigating the Supernatural

Are miracles still present in today's world? Does God work in the same manner as He did thousands of years ago, alongside the disciples? Ron, equipped with firsthand experiences and a ministry spanning decades, delves into this frequently debated topic. Listen now...

Revival and The Lord's Prayer

What does revival have to do with the Lord's Prayer? Ron discusses what's happening worldwide in the spiritual hotspots of the world and how there is a new sense of the Holy Spirit invigorating the national church. Listen now...

Moonlight Baptism

A village in Vietnam has 61 new believers who are excited to take the next step in their faith and be water baptized. However, the local authorities heard about the upcoming celebration and made threats to anyone participating. The believers have to take drastic measures to ensure they can still follow through with their plans. Listen now...

Latest Posts

Sit Report-Perseverance

These are tremendously positive days for the Kingdom. Expansion of the national churches continues unabated. At the same time, persecution exists and is also growing. Read more...

SIT REPORT: Desperation

Desperation is one of the telltale signs of an authentic, “world class” turning to God. Such a turning to God happens when an overwhelming number of people come to the stark realization of their dire situation, and then cry out to God for help in a state of urgency and helplessness. Read more...

The Back-Slider in Heart Edited and paraphrased by Keith Green By Charles G. Finney

This is an edited and paraphrased version of the 21st chapter from "Revival Lectures" by Charles Grandison Finney. This message is as much for the Church today as when it was first brought forth in a series of lectures in the 1830s. We earnestly pray that you'll "read it and weep!" I cannot conclude any teaching on revival without warning converts against backsliding. In discussing this subject, I will show: 1) What backsliding in heart is not, 2) What backsliding in heart is, 3) What are the evidences of a backslidden heart, 4) What are the consequences of backsliding in heart, and 5) How to recover. Read more...

Latest Videos