Hearts of Fire: Eight Women in the Underground Church and Their Stories of Costly Faith
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Hearts of fire is a book authored by The Voice of the Martyrs, co-authors of the bestselling Jesus freaks.
It is a compelling and interesting book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
I picked up this book one midnight when I had trouble sleeping. And couldn’t close my eyes till daybreak because I was enthralled.
It was scary, suspense-filled, heartbreaking, and interesting all at the same time.
The book is written in prose style format, it’s the true story of eight women who suffered terrible persecution because of their faith in Christ.
It’s a story of love, death, betrayal, fugitive, hope, emotion, and strong faith in God.
These eight women are from various countries such as Indonesia, Bhutan, St. Petersburg Russia, Romania, Pakistan, China etc.
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Persecution for the Love of Christ
Despite their varying backgrounds, they all had one thing in common, they loved Christ and they suffered intense persecution because of it.
From Adel who watched as her village was unceremoniously burnt down, and her son cruelly macheted to death by antichrists. That was not all! She was forcefully married off amidst protests by the same attackers who ignored her marital status.
To Tara who lived for several years as a fugitive running from country to country. All in a bid to escape from her family who sought to kill her because of her newfound faith in Christ.
And Purnima the twelve years old girl that was disowned by her parents without a thought for her wellbeing. As if that wasn’t enough, she was banished from the community. Banished before her fourteenth birthday, by community leaders who felt offended in her faith.
Read this book and experience a roller coaster ride of emotions as the Great and mighty God stepped in at the least expected times to rescue his faithful.
Sometimes the situation didn’t go as expected and these people suffered tremendously for their faith.
Click here to see the book on Amazon
Jesus has Overcome the World
But this shouldn’t come as a total surprise to any true believer, because Jesus said;
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
That is why Christianity is not just religion, it’s a way of life and there’s no falsehood in it.
Read this post for a reminder about the rewards of being a faithful Christian.
Jesus didn’t promise us only bread and butter, He accurately prepared the minds of all those who will receive Him to expect persecution.
Job rightly stated during his time of trial when his wife told him to curse God and die;
But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. Job 2:10
Therefore, as Christians, we must make up our minds to stand firm in the faith no matter the situation.
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Apostle Peter also had this to say
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 1Peter 4:12 – 14
A Similar Book is Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand who suffered for 14 years including being in an underground prison.
Who should read this book?
This book is good for those seeking deeper communion with God, it’s also good for parents as the experiences of these women helps us to grasp the importance of training up a child in the way that he should go.
It is good for pastors, teachers, and evangelists who want to spur their congregation to embrace evangelism.
If you’re a Christian who feels that your trials are too great, please read this book and you will experience a mind shift.
A short review such as this is inadequate to fully describe my emotions and thoughts as I read this book.
This book is good for those seeking deeper communion with God, it's also good for parents as the experiences of these women help us to grasp the importance of training up a child in the way that he should go. #heartsoffire… Click To TweetOne thing is certain though, it has helped to deepen my faith in Christ. Created awareness of what other Christians are passing through. And helped realize that the things we take for granted in more civilized countries are privileges lacking in other countries.
Things such as giving of tracts, having an open place of worship and being free to serve God are privileges. Some others don’t have these privileges and therefore we should work circumspectly not as fools but as wise redeeming the times. Ephesians 5:15
If you have read this post to the end, I’d like to request that you take a moment to pray for persecuted Christians all over the world. That the Lord should strengthen them and grant them grace to serve Him till the end.
Also, pray for yourself and me too that we will be found worthy on the day of Christ.
Related posts: Pressed but not Crushed – A story of hope
Thank you so much, for this post . I agree with you that most times we are carried away by the cares of this world forgetting the reason we are truly here , evangelising the Gospel and doing His works!
I haven’t read this book but I have read books that talks about mission works, persecution..(When God Says Go!). Am definitely going to read your recommended book. Thank you again ma for this reminder of praying for the perfected souls.
You’re welcome my sister! Thanks for stopping by.
Oh wow what an excellent review! So thorough!! I really enjoyed reading this and hearing your recommendation!
Thanks Amy!
I read this book three years afo and I completely agree with your review. I found both hard to read and hard to put it down. It’s a book meant to be reread and also to pass along.
You are spot on Summer! It’s both a book that must be re-read and equally passed along. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for reviewing this book. It’s so easy for me to be complacent and forget about the Christians being persecuted worldwide. Thanks for your call for prayer at the end of your post as well.
Hi Lisa,
Thank you Lisa. May we stand firm to the end in Jesus name. Amen
Well Betty, I’m so glad you wrote this review! I’m always on the lookout for new, good Christian reads and this is right up my alley. I’ve added it to my reading list and am super excited to get started reading. Thanks so much for sharing!💕
Hi Pamela,
Good for you! I’m sure you will thoroughly enjoy reading the book like I did. 😊
Wow, a book like this is a great way to open people’s eyes to the judgment, persecution and mistreatment of people based completely on their religious views.
Hey Britt! Yes, you can say that again! Religious persecution is real.
May God help us.
Is this book appropriate for teenagers?
Yes, teenagers can read the book because some of the women whose stories were told started out as teenagers in Christ.