Hello and welcome to our podcast here at Elim Church in Swanley. You're listening to myself, Reverend Benjamin Leonard Cooper and we have Sondra with us today. We are so glad Sandra is with us in small studio as we just discuss our weekly discussions regarding the suffering church. And Sandra, we welcome you today. We thank you so much for coming over. We know you've been busy with work last week, and we welcome you here this morning. And if anybody needs to know anything about what Sandra does the ministry that she's involved in open doors Barnabas and a few others. That's correct, isn't it? Sandra? Nice international release. That's it that great international CSW? Yeah, I forget. It's four major ones.
Sandra Robson:There's a lot of them what's going on in Iran is and being cataloged by CSW
Reverend Ben Cooper:CSW. That's excellent. So if you want to catch Sandra, by any way, please contact us here at Elim church, and we can poke you in the right direction if that is the correct thing to say. But we welcome you. Thank you for listening this morning. It's just raw in his podcasting room, you will hear the squeak to the chairs, the slurps of the coffee, the turning of the pages, and the gasp from our breath. But we just want to say May God bless you, wherever you are around the world. Never give up hope to continue to press in Christ Jesus, and may the hand of the Lord be upon you. And now we're going to hand over to Sandra, Sandra, how are you today?
Sandra Robson:I'm all right. Thank you. Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:well, yes, yes. For Christmas. I just signed?
Sandra Robson:Yes. Just starting today that sent off a few Christmas cards and now got the stamps. And yeah, just you know, getting a balance between Yeah, things.
Reverend Ben Cooper:That's correct. What what what a far different polar opposites from what we're looking at the persecuted church to what we got going on. In this nation. I want a difference as we're getting ready for what we're getting ready for Christmas and all that and the shops have failed. And all that sort of Christmas. What a difference. Well, Sandra, yes, dive straight in. And I believe that we're still continuing in Iran this morning.
Sandra Robson:That's right, yes, because we started off a really encouraging, and just an amazing testimony of a guy who ended up in prison, just an ordinary Christian, as he says he was just living out his faith of Jesus. And so I wanted to share that, because gives you an idea of what happens and how our prayers help these prisoners of faith. And also we look to the background, why he's been put in prison. Why is it been under acting against national security? How have things changed in Iran, and all the all these things. So we did start this testimony. But I'll just backtrack a little bit just for those who may be that joining us for the first time. And or miss the other one that basically, Iran, it's Islamic Republic. And so, you know, Islam first. And although there is meant to be some freedom for other religions, in practice, that isn't the case, it's illegal to have a Bible and converts from Islam are severely treated, and they get fines, they're arrested, puts in prison many times to try and disrupt things for them never knowing if they're going to be in or out or where they're going to be. And now, they've started internally exile people, as well, those that are repeat offenders. As far as I can tell,
Reverend Ben Cooper:when you say repeat offenders with this makes me repeat
Sandra Robson:it means that they keep on telling people about Jesus, I think don't stop telling people about Jesus is so much like it says in Acts, when the disciples came into the there's a story, court, didn't they? Yeah, a neighbor told, you know, you mustn't tell people about Jesus, you know, we will flog you today. And and as long as you don't tell people you know about Jesus and the crazy these crazy things, you know, against the Jewish traditions and everything, and you know, you'll be fine. And so they go out and they say, well, we can't do that because he is the Son of God. And, and they go out again, don't they? And again, they start telling people about Jesus and then later on we have pizza in prison because he, he didn't stop did he?. And the same with Paul. And so it's, you know, it's a it's an thing that's beginning of time and it's turning it around. Yeah. Because the gospel and you know, when this is staring, and there's been a staring for some years. you come to know Jesus, as this guy is saying, You can't turn back and as I said last time, that we I don't appreciate having come from a different place. Now I do know a guy who did come from Islam who lives in this country, somebody I know. And, and you know, and so he's had a different unbreak bring in different way of thinking. And and he just talks about how precious Jesus is to him and how much you know, freedom he found in Christ, how much different it is, from how he was brought up. And you know, and he is, so unless you've actually walked in Abraham's shoes, you won't really appreciate and, and the fervency they have, and they just see that they have little time, and they need to get out there. And, and, and God's given them a mandate. And as we said, loads lots and lots of young people, like student age are coming to Christ in Iran, there is a desperate situation there as you know, economic theory. And so they are starting to question their whole life and the whole of of society, And you know, as far back I think, is 2010. And so we're hearing that a lot of young people are coming to know, Jesus. And yeah, so that's the background. So consequently, the authorities don't like this, they're unhappy with this, and they're concerned, and they're worried that it's going to affect their authority. And so because they see it that way, and they're saying that these people are acting against national security, because they're not following the line, they're not following the way that the current leaders want them to. And they don't feel that they can bring them under control.
Reverend Ben Cooper:And never never, never gonna be able to bring Christianity under control. It's, it's impossible. A man made religion is completely different to what God has the kingdom of God, you're never gonna be able to control the king, man will never be able to put a hold on. Like,
Sandra Robson:they have to set times of prayers. And it's a great reason. And you know, what my friend tells
Reverend Ben Cooper:her friend that you're talking about? So he's living in the UK? Yeah, he's living as a Christian that is free. Yeah, he's been a Christian and Christian for some time. So imagine what sort of life he would have. If he was back. Back in Iran. He will be he could possibly be in prison. It possibly. Are they allowed to carry Bibles at all. No Bibles are bad. My dad was a band.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So and for the Farsi language as well. They're not allowed anything in the Farsi language, which is, like a traditional language to do the Persians. Yes. So So I sort of an older, older language in some some places from what I gather. Yeah. So particularly,
Reverend Ben Cooper:so what what would happen if you got caught walking down the street with a Bible? You'd be arrested? Yeah, she was simple. Yes.
Sandra Robson:But he did. He, he, he walked down the street with a Bible. Oh, and, and, you know, they they say, you know, I've read things. And they say, sometimes if you're in plain sight, people don't notice it.
Reverend Ben Cooper:If you're in plain sight, people don't know because they know you're not supposed to have it. So they sort of do a digital tape. Double tape is blanked. It's not there. But it is there. Yeah.
Sandra Robson:Cuz he, I mean, he gave out Bibles, this guy, this guy that I'm going to tell you about as though I started to tell you about him. So. So what we were looking at is the point that there's this Islamic penal code. And they were looking at amending this article 500, to make it even harder to become a Christian. So this is where we're at at the moment. It's not come into force, yet. It's still going through all the different political spaces, yes, that it has to go through. But it would mean that any Christian proclaiming can be interpreted as false propaganda against Islam or an attempt at psychological manipulation of Muslims. And they can be labeled as a sect.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Okay. And this is article 500. Yeah, in Iran.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So that's where they want to go at the moment. It's acting against national security that they can be put into prison for a certain length of time.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So if you have an act against national security, yeah, it was bit like a terrorist.
Sandra Robson:Well, that's Yeah, that's basically it.
Reverend Ben Cooper:If you're carrying a Bible, when you're seen and this article goes to Article 500, and you're carrying a Bible and you're talking to someone about Christ, you're going to be labeled as a terrorist.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, it is like dynamite.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Right. Oh is exposed, but also it's very sad. It's very sad.
Sandra Robson:It's it's a double edged sword thinking in my head here because the thing is, and the Word of God, is that powerful. It changes things. It turns things upside down. Yeah. And it just shows us how other religions see it. And how dangerous they they see it that way,
Reverend Ben Cooper:it just shows you how powerful Yeah, exactly. The state, the National, the nation, looking at the Bible saying this is dangerous. Yeah. Need to ban it. Yes. Hallelujah. Jesus. Yeah, awful.
Sandra Robson:So we have to see in that way, although it seems a negative thing. You think, oh, my goodness, you can't have a Bible. That's terrible. You know, because we have Bibles here.
Reverend Ben Cooper:They're recognizing the power. Yeah. So it's how to change the switch business. Yeah, the enemy meant for harm. Yeah. Good.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So we'll get on with his his testimony,
Reverend Ben Cooper:So that by the power of prayer, a turn the he did say that. He found the Lord through looking online and doing the online television. And then his mates blocked him from doing that. But he wasn't deterred. And it just shows again, this desire, that he went up to the roof, and managed to tune in a little radio and gets food that way, you know, that, get some Bible and support that way. And then he managed to find his own place. But as he said, he said he knew when he met Jesus, and he said, Yes, Lord, I will follow you what, you know, whatever. He knew what he was letting himself info, he was aware, he says that the political and social surroundings and he knewa bit like those in China, they assume that at some point, they will be arrested. So they say we don't see the point of hiding, because we know we're gonna get arrested at some point. So we might as well carry on and do what we want to do live our lives, and you know, sensibly, kindly, carefully, but not hide the fact that we're Christians. So he says, I lived a normal life and worked my job. And on my official forms, I wrote to religion, Christian, and I did not, you know, hide anything. I shared everything openly. I gave Bibles to many. And if one of those persons turned me in, well, I don't know for sure. Perhaps they did. That's what he said. And then this was an interview he did with an Iranian ministry. So they asked him, How did you get arrested. And he said, I remember the morning I came into my house and started searching everywhere. They took me in for interrogation, many pieces of evidence, handwritten tracks, Bible verses and Bible information, which is just normal, isn't it? For a Christian to know, I didn't deny any of it. Since I had not committed a crime. I simply shared my faith with others. And I did it willingly. For that I was to receive a one year sentence in 2011. And I think we said last time, how he then says, God puts it in the judges heart to only give me 10 months. And I said, while at that time, I became aware of this guy through I think it was released internationally. So please pray for this guy. He's, you know, they're going to, you know, sentenced him shortly. And pray for leniency. And you know, and we do that, and there you go. That's, that's what happened that God put it in the hands of the judge to only give him 10 months. And he says that it could only have happened via power of prayer. judges heart to make the sentence less than what it should have really been. Yeah. That's beautiful. Our prayer. So can I just backpedal a moment? So his friends won't allow him to listen to whatever he was listening to on the TV? That's right. Yeah. So he went up to the rooftop, and he found the radio. Yeah. andwonder if he was listening to trends World Radio, I wonder, because they do a great job of work. Yes, yes. They speak into 190 countries, you know, 230 languages they reach in the world for Christ. So if anybody's out there wanting to to listen to great Christian Broadcasting Transworld rodeos is a fantastic podcast and stuff station. So I wonder if that's what he was listening to. Yeah, interesting.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So I mean, I do I support those van as well. Yeah. That's, uh, that yes, I do care about the, you know their ministry. So yes. So again if you want to support some another area is the, you know, the internet. Radio radio yeah providers because they do yes that's a very individual to this this gentleman what is known Sandra His name is he he pre ham ham No, not obviously not we know Abraham Abraham it's yeah i e b r k h i m e bruh ham
Reverend Ben Cooper:Abraham. So we have a gentleman here he got the word through radio. Yep. But then he finds himself in prison. Yes. But the judge his heart is softened. Yes. And he has given a lesser sentence. That's right. Brilliant.
Sandra Robson:So he was released. And he said, I started which and witnessing again, I didn't stop any of my previous activities. So consequently, in 2013, I was arrested again, again, then released and appeared in court several times after that. And one for attending a Christian conference, I was accused of being an informant for another country by going because it was outside Iran. And working against the government. Each accusation, they they're, you know, they couldn't give real evidence for they there was no real evidence for it. So they just integrate increase my sentence, although
Reverend Ben Cooper:it's also he just got an increase on the show. He had.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, so every time he did something that they should increase in the time, that's right, but they wouldn't actually even actually serve it. Because they were going through certain things. And then at a point, they then, like cash in and always, oh, how it goes. You so because they can have appeals and all these things. So each accusation, he said, increased my sentence, because he was asked How come you ended up with seven years and two internal years of exile from a one year central being a believer in Jesus Christ. So he started off with 10 months, because he didn't just finish there. They then kept adding and adding, and each time he would be asked to renounce his faith, but no, and he would say no, so then they put another year on, and then ask him to renounce his faith again, at another when they found another bit of evidence. That's what they do with all of them. He had a total of 10 had a total of seven years. Of that,
Reverend Ben Cooper:and he had served that
Sandra Robson:he served it serves seven years. He's now in exile in internal exile, and he is serving a two year he's in the middle of a two year. Internal exile.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So what we mean by exile is he's put out in a very dangerous, very dangerous and dangerous place. Yeah. Possibly life being threatened. Yeah. And this is happening as we speak. Yeah. According to the authorities, according to the the authorities, yeah. Okay. Yeah.
Sandra Robson:But we'll find out how he sees it in a minute. So, and he, they said, How on earth do you end up with seven years? Because even with those bits, they couldn't work it out. This, that's what they were asking him. And he said, Well, he said, they told me, you know, it was time to serve my sentence that, you know, they had found that, you know, the appeals are gone. And he said, so I went round to see some of my friends to say goodbye to them, and they were watching and ready to pounce. And they were just looking for that. Another another evidence. Basically, although it was just to say goodbye to his friends, they saw him praying, and then praying. And they then said, it looked like he was leading a prayer meeting.
Reverend Ben Cooper:This guy's warrior, this guy will study never given up as a, this is a true believer. So he is very open. He's very open about his faith. Yeah, he never heard it. He just carried on, carried on living, and doing and serving and praying. And he just accumulated these years for praying, believing, yeah, not renouncing his faith. Yeah. standing up for what is his Yeah, his God says to him,
Sandra Robson:yeah, and doing what you do as a disciple, like going to conferences, encouraging other believers, you know, doing all the things we would do, sending God's say,
Reverend Ben Cooper:I tell you what, Sandra, I think, to be honest, when you say doing what we would do when you You're talking about Christianity in the West and across the pond and all over the place. This would make people or I don't really want to say what I think I think this would make people evil. I'm for Jesus, or I'm not. We are. So Can't we are cotton wool. When you he's been given another year for praying, he's been given another year for this, for given our track for doing this for doing that.
Sandra Robson:But the idea is, you know, they say, Well, you know, prison is terrible, that's horrible. You know, surely now you're going to renounce your faith. You know, we've upped it all. I mean, you know, now, and he just said, No,
Reverend Ben Cooper:we're not gonna we're not talking about a prison, like we know over here. So really bad. This is completely off the scale.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, he ended up in ihren. Prison is the worst the worst one in? Yeah, it's the worst one in Iran. And at the moment, COVID is rampid. And in, and there are a lot of Christian prisoners of conscience in there at the moment. And we have been praying for them that they would recover. They have released some prisoners who I don't know whether they had medical conditions or what, but a lot of them are still in including and this other guy I told you about, Pastor you, sir. Yeah. And the guy that was arrested with him? We haven't heard any more about that. But anyway, yes. So we, so basically, these guys came in and said, You know, you're, you're again, you know, breaking the law you behind ball and you're doing a Bible study. And, but they didn't recognize him. So they were just going to give him just the usual, but then just, you know, go around this, because the thing was that he said, how it all got to being to this, the mountain, major Iran civil court was because then I called somebody else. And that person had been involved in all of this case, yes, and knew all of the background. And so it then became a serious thing. And as he said, he was all the way along it, they said they would dismiss the case. So lots of judges, you know, went before and they said, Look, if you just give up your faith, that's all and oh, and you need to do well, it wasn't all because they also wanted him to stop other people, and to encourage them as well. So it wasn't just him if they wanted him to convince others to do the same. Go further. Don't do it, it's not worth it. And so he said, not an option for me, I could never turn my back on my faith and submit to this. So by God's grace, I enjoyed a few years in prison in exchanging for in exchange for an eternity with Him. And that's where, you know, I said that Bateman, great card witnesses that this scripture, which we'll look at, in because he sees this world, right cloud witnesses, but the other bit like we said about those sins, it's so easy to untangle. I could have been so easy for him just to say I give in, okay, I can go with maybe Lord, then you don't mind this bit. But I'll still serve you, Lord, but I just have to say to them and just pretend to do this. Oh, yeah. You know,
Reverend Ben Cooper:that is the scripture that Sandra is referencing is Hebrews 12 verses one through two.
Sandra Robson:So he said, I did some of the allegations I didn't accept or agree with. So I couldn't ask the government to forgive. Give me You know, he said, I couldn't they were saying that I should ask for forgiveness. And he said, some people wanted me to say sorry, and he said, I couldn't say sorry, because I haven't done anything wrong. And this is true. So, so then the question was, how did you keep strong in prison? And you know, when you're under pressure, and he admitted that, you know, there were some very hard times he felt under a lot of pressure. But he said, then God stood with him. And he said, there's nothing bigger and more valuable than God's presence. And he said that he was able, I don't know how he doesn't say, but he somehow had tapes of sermons by a martyred pastor. By martyred Pasha is a previously martyred pastor who he had been listening to beforehand before he been in prison. And then he started listening to them and he said, it just spoke to him. And there it was, it was the reality. And so you know, often we pray and I say, Lord, give them a scripture. Encourage them today. You know, Then just, you know, get a word from you something that means something to them. And you know, let them be able to have a Bible or that somebody bring, you know, a word of encouragement or you just bring one or the be one on the wall or something like that. And so that's worth praying because this guy was able to get tape sermons. So now I pray about that about
Reverend Ben Cooper:God's word in a prayer point, rather than a big blanket prayer, there is prayer for him. Please, Lord, we pray that, that the prisoners can get to listen to your word through internet radio or through tapes through whatever means that can be
Sandra Robson:Yeah, whatever they can actually have, if they don't, they're not allowed to Bible Amina, I've heard amazing testimonies where because of their conduct in prison, I'm not sure whether it's here, but I, I know, I know, I read it. And yeah, and this is a man who was visiting, you know, just some other people in this prison. And he said, you know, wow, you know, what can I do for you? You've been so good to me, you prayed for me, I was sick. And I've been I've been healed. And what can I do for you? And the person said, Can I have a Bible? And he said, Well, I can't get your Bible, but I'll do the next best thing. And he brought in something, you know, biblical scriptures in a Quran or something, and gave it to this prisoner, you know, because he, you know, he said, you know, because you've done this,
Reverend Ben Cooper:they've been healed. Yeah. Yeah. He got some script. Yeah, in some form.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So that anyway. So this really strengthened my faith. And it was as if he was standing in front of me, in my prison cell, sharing how he dealt with persecution. And here I was in the same situation. And again, that's where this great cloud of witnesses I felt, when I was reading it. I mean, it's just really powerful. And then they asked him, was it worth it? And he said, yes, they gave these people beforehand, they gave their lives so that I could only go to prison and not end up on death row.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Only go to prison, not end up on death row.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, I want to stand up. So things improve for my next generation
Reverend Ben Cooper:generation.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. And they won't need to go to prison for their faith. How were you treated in prison? Well, I shared my faith, and I shared the love of God with people. And he said, You know, I told them about the freedom I had in Christ. And he said, when you're in prison, and you have nothing, that's what people want to hear. And so he said, they were actually very receptive. The other person business has
Reverend Ben Cooper:nothing but he's got everything because he's got Jesus.
Sandra Robson:If the intention of the authorities was to stop the spread of the message of the gospel, it works the opposite. Because value freedom from bondage much more, and prisoners are more open to good news. I showed love and grace to others. I say to those still in prison, know that the people outside are praying for you never forget, they are never forgotten, even though the authorities will tell you this. That is not true. So again, this encouragement for us to pray and that to the reality that Yes, brother, sister, I am praying for you today in prison, because I know God is doing great things through you. Yeah, through even you just being there. You are a light for Christ instrument. You are an instrument Yeah, in his hand,
Reverend Ben Cooper:so that there we have, could we use this, this terminology, the person that is in prison is is the instrument for God is is the biggest testimony that Christ is alive. As they live out their life under strict harshness. They are still relentless for Jesus. Yep. So their light must shine. Their light has that light has to shine in the darkness, no matter how dark, it seems to be. The authorities are pressing down and down and down, trying to squash but Jesus keeps moving. Yeah, the word keeps moving. The power keeps moving. God uses people in the darkest prisons, the darkest places to save the last,
Sandra Robson:yes, you'll take them man. And he said, you know, to pray for boldness to witness always to pray for boldness to witness and that there will be many opportunities. And he also said that for us. He said, this is a message to my brothers and sisters around the world. And you we need your prayers and we also need your moral support. You need to ask the question, why am I impressed? Prison. I said, I asked that question, why am I in prison? And they say to me, it's not your belief. But because you carry and keep an illegal book in your house, which is the Bible. Bibles are illegal, not published in Iran, you have to get them from outside sources, therefore, they can charge you with a crime against the state, because you've obtained it from a Western influence.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Wow, there we have that one.
Sandra Robson:So this then comes to the important advocacy work of CSW, who are bringing this up continually and reminding the government and authorities that there is a constitutional right for Christianity to be and other minor faiths to be recognized. And they continually bring this up. So this
Reverend Ben Cooper:is the great work of CSW
Sandra Robson:Yes, because they managed to get into the UN so CSW reminded run at the EU and about the constitutional constitution and challenge and advocate for justice for Christmas, have faith of all religious minorities. And he says thank you to them. And so please remember the work that CSW are doing, as well as your brothers and sisters, because they need your encouragement, and they need your prayers as well for wisdom as they speak out in the UN, especially in this situation where they are not there, physically, but you know, they're there online, and they're still communicating. And in fact, they say there's greater opportunities now they are able to meet more people across the world who, you know, have a billet opportunity ability, yes, to change things.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Hallelujah. So,
Sandra Robson:you know,
Reverend Ben Cooper:Sandra was saying, everyone that's listening as a few prayer points. We got a price for CSW. We got to pray for maybe Transworld radio to get the word out there CSW is doing all the advocacy work and everything that goes along with that. We need to pray for the authorities, we need to pray for the prisoners. So there are there are many bullet points that we can pray, rather than maybe just praying over a blanket of prayer, which is great and powerful. Hallelujah, Jesus, we want that. But also, it's targeted prayer. You think of the disciple that was in prison in the book of Acts, you think of where he was in prison, and the church was praying purposely for the doors to be open? Yeah, so they're so sometimes prayers need to be targeted, a set purpose, release the prisoner. Lord, we pray for the prisoner Lord, we pray for CSW. We pray for Transworld radio that the word gets in through whatever means it can for tracks. So that that's important, isn't it to pinpoint to, to maybe to go online as well. And to find out where these prayer points are? That's right. And I don't think we have one with us today. But normally, we have some prayer points with us for some different literature for open doors for CSW, sometimes a Christian Institute, you can find certain things for them as well over here. Very, very good Christian Institute, is lots of places you can find this information straight online. We get their prayers going. We keep praying, you know, and then what we got, we just got a target. I really believe target targeting, targeting just like military style. Yeah, the target. Yeah, we're gonna pray out we're going to pray away to and through that out. We're going to we're going to pray this person out. We're going to pray the scripture in, we're going to pray doors open and also about the judge. That's right, soften the heart. The judges, pray for the judges.
Sandra Robson:Hearing the gospel. So many times
Reverend Ben Cooper:imagine that a judge gets saved. How that would change things.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:officials to target these these these these people around, press into the authority. Yeah, prayer changes things.
Sandra Robson:Prison. wardens, prison. Yeah, authorities, you know, they are all affected by what they see. Yeah, yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:I also just, I think in a thinking about Daniel for a moment, then, when Daniel was praying, but the Prince of Persia, the heavy authority was stopping his prayers getting through and the angel of the Lord had to come down and deal with that barrier, so to speak. Yeah. So we need to be persistent in prayer. Because the as much as we press, yeah, the heavy darkness. We need to break through that darkness. So it's very important that there is oppression there is an opponent there is we need to pray. We need to press in prayer and I Have this clear vision of this line where, where Daniel was prime, but nothing was going through and, and heaven actor react to come down to deal with this, this Prince of Darkness, this prince that was over that was over this area of this kingdom. And we that's how we are at this moment. We need to keep praying, because prayers are going and they are working and they are moving. And we need to pray that God that you will open the windows. Listen, listen to our prayers, father. Of course he does. But it's very important that I think that would become military style in prayer, that there is a target point that there is a position that there is a way forward for the power of prayer. Prayer changes things.
Sandra Robson:Yes.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So what else do we have here? Sandra? Well, I
Sandra Robson:mean, I just felt that it you know, I was praying about this. And also not All I've got is this, Abraham's, you know, test testimony, basically, let him speak. That's right, because he's telling you what prayers and he's he's, you know, giving the test me a lot of my grace and what I'm I'm doing, and I want you to talk about my, you know, my child's mice, you know, son. So now Abraham is internal is in internal exile. And God is looking after him and giving him favor. We said about that part where I said, He's in a dangerous place, while he is in a dangerous place, as far as the authorities are concerned, and as far as our eyes can see that, as we know, you know, faith is different, isn't it? You know, it's what we unseen. And perhaps there are angels there. I you know, we know that there are angels around but he is in this area near Pakistan, where there are religious extremists. But Tim, God has brought these people to him. And the people he's found even the police have been kind and helpful to him helped him to settle in
Reverend Ben Cooper:less the place law.
Sandra Robson:And he says that, he just says I, you know, he said, I'm just very grateful to everybody. He said that I showed that I, you know, I'm not brash, he said, I, I'm, you know, I suppose you would say humble here. But he doesn't say that. He just says he shows grace to everybody. And he, he extends grace. And because he extends this grace that he's learned in prison more, that he said that that's it. And he finds that then people are kind and helpful and friendly. And he hasn't claimed asylum, although he could have done because of where he is, and to prove the authorities wrong, because I sort of weigh in for him to make up for it. He said, No. And he said, because he wants to stay the course. And he wants to do God's will. And he believes that when God caught we know that he was called when he was saved. And it was to Iran, and to spread the gospel in Iran, to people like himself, who are in great need at this time. And so he says that Iran is in a very bad state, and they need to hear the gospel. They are desperately searching for a way out of their misery. I know the answer is Jesus. And he said, I've never been anti government, I would work with them, not against them. He said, I love my brothers and sisters, I love the people of Iran. And he said that he he said that he appreciates that, you know, God's been very gracious to him. And other brothers have suffered greatly, and that they've had to flee Iran and go elsewhere. Otherwise suffer harsh consequences. And many are in Turkey, awaiting asylum and asks for prayers for them. So as another thing to think about the people, you know, awaiting asylum in Turkey, and God, he prays that God will use them where they are, and grant them a favor and open doors. And when I say these things, I feel that I am literally speaking on his behalf. And it's like, we get that and it's quite a kin, you know, and it's
Reverend Ben Cooper:very personal. And it's very powerful. Can't say
Sandra Robson:owner but you know, it's some
Reverend Ben Cooper:because we are joined with our brothers and sisters,
Sandra Robson:it's really important to do this and and, you know, to speak out the things that are important for them that they're bringing up big, you know, to say no, the situation and it is sort of not, you know what we think? No, it's what it actually is and they you No on fluffing things up, they are saying yet there are difficulties here, guys, we really need your help. These this is the situation on the ground, there are people waiting for asylum they are in really bad conditions in these we know in these camps and things in Turkey aren't very good either. But even in that, even now, praying for their favor, praying for open doors, praying for witness, seeking the Lord for those encouragements. And you know, God sends amazing things that they need, maybe we wouldn't think of it but is right for them. And the bringing that manner when they need it and they are daily bread, he brings that daily bread, they rely on him. Please pray for those who need to start over again. As we heard when we spoke about Faraj, he has managed to get to another country that is having to start all over again. Yeah, the brothers or sisters, there will be a God will put them in their path, they will know about it, obviously. Release International. So release international partners will be there. Thank you, Lord, that they are there in the situation that they're able to help. And so final thing he says here, this is his final prayer. I said what is that he was asked? What can we pray for you? So can you read out a fusions two, verse eight, which he says is so important to him
Reverend Ben Cooper:Ephesians two, verses eight through to nine praise by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God, not by works so that no one can boast Ephesians chapter two verses eight through to nine.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. And he says he says this is true about me. There's no difference. Don't look up to me Don't think I'm anything wonderful. It's only by prayer that I'm standing here, just like the other guy said that from the Word of God and the things that he's done. Pray, he says he said all that is interested in as doing God's will. He said, help me. You know, he has those temptations like we do. He says that he can focus, you know that he wants to spend time while he's in exile, to spend time with God to hear from God. He says I pray for God's will for the future for me to know where he wants me to be. Because I have this burden. He says pray for the burden for my people, a man's salvation and freedom, human rights, and pray for those in prison and the leaders of my country. That is my prayer.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Sandra, what a powerful podcast. You've just delivers us there. And we just pray that God will strengthen you as you do your studies as you do your research as you bring this to discussion. And we just pray that the listeners this morning of the hour, wherever you may be listening to this. There is such good food, spiritual food in what we have been listening to today we have a clear testimony, a story of a brother in Iran, the served in the hardest prison. Yeah, that is now in exile. Yeah. And he is not given up.
Sandra Robson:He says don't be discouraged and said no God is with believers in Iran, and gives grace and strength to us to enjoy the difficult times.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Praise God. So we've had the prayer points. We're praying for judges, we're praying for sentences to be squashed. We're praying that Bibles can be carried on the streets of Iran, the Word of God can be lifted up. But isn't it interested their interest in that everyone that were listed in this moment? Nothing can stop the Word of God, whatever man tries to do around the globe, God's kingdom will continue to abound. Nothing can stop the seed. Sandra, have you got anything else to close on? Before we just say goodbye to our brothers and sisters around the world this morning?
Sandra Robson:Well, I just say thank you. And you know, for listening, and I pray that you have been encouraged by what you've heard today, and lifted and in this season, that we're in an adventure thinking about our Savior, yeah, the Savior of the world, and that he's come, you know, in human form. And we pray that our brothers and sisters in Iran, we'll be able to make that real to people this season, and pray for them to be able to find ways to do that. And That they will be bold in their witness for him in the situations that they find themselves, that they will know his piece that they will know his guidance, that just like Abraham, they will just be able to live out their, their their lives, and that this, you know, this this harsh possibility of this code. And there'll be a way of disrupt the derailing it, but God's Will that's the main thing that
Reverend Ben Cooper:you're referring to that article 500
Sandra Robson:Yes, this this amendments to Article 500. But at the end of the day, as a 300 says, make God's will be done.
Reverend Ben Cooper:That's it. We are there. Thank you, Sandra so much, you know, God's will be done as Christ said in the garden of get 70 not my will. But your will be done. So we've had so much food coming from Sandra, another instrument that God is using, and we pray for everybody listening, wherever you are around the world, may God bless you and strengthen you. And we also need to pray for Trans World Radio that they will get the gospel message into every prison, every phone, every device that the word of God will and it shall, no matter what continue to release the prisoners to set the captives free. So we thank you for joining with us. Please share everything we do here in alien church in Swanee. My name is Reverend Benjamin Leonard Coop r and you have been listening o our beautiful sister Sandra th s morning that has bought so e wonderful testimony to the tab e and stay safe. Stay under t e Word of God stay in the blood f Jesus. Keep safe. And we' l catch you very very soon. G d ble